November is the month when old man’s beard covers the trees and hedgerows. Late-flowering ivy, scabious and michaelmas daisy provides nectar for many insects before they hibernate for the winter. October was an extremely warm month (as it has been for the past two years) subsequently butterflies were still on the wing, especially red admirals. Dragonflies were also in abundance with common darters, and southern and migrant hawkers flying throughout the month.

Red Admiral butterflies are enjoying the mild temperatures.

British trees keep their leaves well into the autumn, generally until the first hard frost or really high winds. Once the trees become bereft of their leaves, the tree skeletons reveal a range of summer homes, such as birds’ nests, that were previously hidden. Not all the nests which come to light are for summer though - winter squirrel dreys also become apparent. These are generally built in the forks of large trees against the trunk, where they will be protected from winter storms. They often look rather untidy, and one of their diagnostic features is that the squirrels use twigs that still have leaves on them.

Roe deer bucks cast their antlers during November and December so keep an eye out for discarded antlers. Hedgehogs are preparing to hibernate this month. Field voles live in areas of unmanaged grassland under the mat of tangled grasses which forms at the base of stems. Their numbers are high at this time of year and, as the long grass dies back, they can make new runs and nests in its cover. Spiders’ webs abound in November and are best seen in the marsh first thing in the morning when they are covered in dew.

The woodland birds will be easier to see once the leaves have started to fall. November is probably the least territorial month of the year for woodland birds. Many which are fiercely independent for the rest of the year will actually flock together. This seems to be for safety reasons as feeding is such a priority during the short cold days. Flocks of long-tailed tits, nuthatches, goldfinches and goldcrests are present in the Park. Winter migrants will continue to arrive at Stover this month. Siskins can be seen feeding on alder, chaffinches on fallen beech masts and bullfinches on hawthorn berries. Jays and squirrels have started to cache acorns among grass roots and leaf-litter. Look out for split-open acorns and hazelnuts in the fissures of bark left by nuthatches. Bullfinches were seen on 10^th October with greenfinches being recorded throughout the month. Fieldfares, starlings and redwings will fly westward across the country during November. Listen out for the characteristic ‘tseep’ of migrating redwings passing overhead at night. These contact calls probably serve to keep flocks together. The first redwings were recorded on 5^th October (a week earlier than last year), with the first fieldfares on the 24^th. The last of the swallows to leave Britain in October should now be in their wintering grounds.

Though breeding blackcaps, like other warblers, leave Britain to spend the winter in warmer areas, 10,000 or more come from Austria and southern Germany at the end of October and early November to spend the winter in Britain. Collared doves, and sometimes even woodpigeons, start nests at any time of year, as long as there is a reliable food supply. There is not long to go before crossbills start building the first of next years nests, sitting on their eggs during the short cold days and even longer colder nights of December.

Now that the water lilies have died back completely it is easier to spot the wildfowl on the lake. The highest counts for pochard and tufted duck during October were 5. A single mandarin duck, cormorants, kingfishers and several herons were recorded on the lake last month. Snipe have been increasing since the first one was recorded in September. These waders can be spotted in the daytime at the edge of the marsh. They leave at dusk to feed on the pastures on the River Teign flood plain. Water rail have been recorded from 8^th October onwards in the marsh – their piglet-like squeal revealing their presence more often than sighting the bird itself. The black-headed gulls are increasing in numbers with herring gulls being spotted in amongst them. The Canada geese diminished in numbers during the first half of October, with none visiting the lake from the 15^th onwards.

Water rail can be heard in the marsh during November . This bird was caught by a licensed bird ringer for scientific purposes.

The twentieth anniversary of the opening of the 18 mile walking route, the Templer Way, was celebrated on 22^nd October with a launch of a new leaflet. The route has been divided into 6 sections with return loops which form attractive circular walks. Leaflets are available from the Visitor Centre.

Remember to book early for the Christmas Carols; it is being held on Tuesday 11^th December from 7 until 8pm. This month’s Volunteers Day will be spent raking up the vegetation on one of Stover’s grassland habitats. This enables a species rich sward to develop next summer which will benefit a wide range of butterflies and other invertebrates. All are welcome - ask a ranger for further details.