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Flowers
Quite a few species continue flowering in October, like Hogweed. The 2 species that we have that start flowering in October are:
Ivy (Hedera helix ssp helix) mainly in the wooded area at the south end: an important plant for wildlife, providing a late source of nectar for many insects, including Red Admiral butterflies, also the food plant for the second brood of the Holly Blue butterfly. The birds, particularly Wood Pigeons, enjoy the black ivy berries during the winter.
Michaelmas Daisy (Aster sp) a small patch to the west of the main N-S path, probably originally a garden escape.
Butterflies & other insects
Bush crickets will still be singing in fine weather, but will be hard to see. Shield bugs may be spotted, but they too are well camouflaged – autumnal-coloured Hawthorn Shieldbugs, brown Dock bugs, and Green Shieldbugs which actually have a brown winter form . Late dragonflies may still be patrolling, Harlequin ladybirds may be swarming, and fat Garden Spiders are waiting in their webs.
Late Red Admirals and Commas might be visiting the remaining blackberries, if the grazing cattle have left any!
Birds
Redwing appear in large numbers from Scandinavia and Russia, and will be seen feeding on Hawthorn berries, and sometimes accompanied
by Fieldfares, larger and more grey with an aggressive nature. Siskins are often seen in large flocks feeding on alder cones, especially common along the river bank. They are small finches with yellow breasts,you may hear them twittering high in the alders especially on cold mornings.
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