October in the Valley
What you can expect to see...
After a dismal summer the latter part of September turned out really pleasant and warm, but now that October’s arrived we can expect rain and wind and there’s every possibility that the temperature will plummet and we may even have frost.
One heavy frost is all that it takes to bring the Ash leaves fluttering to the ground. Ash is the only native forest tree with a two-stage leaf-shedding process. The leaflets fall first, although the actual leaf stalks remain on the twigs for a day or two longer. The Ash seeds - the familiar keys - remain on the tree until spring. Some Ash trees are all-male, producing pollen only, and at this time of year it is easy to spot them as they are the ones with no keys.
 October is a month of change and the colder weather also means the end for many adult insects. Species such
as the Common Darter and Common Hawker dragonflies are end-of-year specialists outlasting many more cold-sensitive species. They will be spending the last days before the first frosts laying eggs in mud and vegetation at the water’s edge that will carry the species through to next year.
 Blackberries are now well past their best, but those that remain will be leaking purple juice attracting the last Red Admirals, Peacocks
and Small Tortoiseshells. During October these butterflies will be searching out rich nectar sources to enable them to survive the winter.
 One important nectar source comes from the Ivy, it is one plant that is completely out of step with our seasons as it is in flower now and fruits in spring. At this time of year when you pass by an Ivy take a deep breath and you will probably notice the musty-scent of its flowers, which are are at their best now. The flowers secrete drops of nectar at dawn that attracts swarms of insects, including late season bees, wasps and butterflies.
Continue watching for bats feeding this month. Although they are not usually associated with this time of year, it’s not because they’ve hibernated as they are still very active, it’s just that you tend not to see them. As the nights start getting longer so the bats can afford to emerge after dark and still have plenty of time to feed. In fact with the young bats now on the wing as well there are more to be seen. This time of year they’re busy fattening themselves up to give themselves the greatest chance of surviving hibernation. A moonlit night and a strong torch will greatly help a search of ponds and lake edges looking for bats. For the less adventurous look around street lamps where bats feed on moths and other insects attracted to the light.
Get your binoculars out as this is the month when flocks of migrants arrive from Scandinavia including Starlings, Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds feasting on the many hedgerow berries. Also keep a look out for the enchanting Grey Waytail our bird of the month.
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