Wildlife to spot in Avon this autumn

WITH autumn having officially started, it's time to look forward to what this new season has to offer. Here are some of the wild wonders you'll be able to spot in your local green spaces over the next few months.

- With Abbie Hall, Communications Officer

Marvellous mushrooms

As the weather gets wetter, fungi thrives! With the wet start to September we've seen lots of mushrooms nestled at the foot of trees or dappled across dead wood.

Puffballs are a common species to spot in the autumn.

One of the largest funguses in the world, the giant puffball can contain over seven trillion spores in a single fruitbody alone! It can also grow up to 80cm across. Fly agaric, below, are another iconic autumn wonder, with their classic 'toadstool' appearance. They're usually found in woodlands and parks with scattered trees, typically growing beneath birch trees or pines and spruces. Don't be fooled by their charming appearance - they're poisonous and should not be eaten.

Flocks of thrushes

In the autumn you'll find migratory thrushes like fieldfare and redwing making their way over from Scandinavia, Russia and northern Europe to feast on the fruits and berries to be found in our bushes and trees.