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Autumn at Pensthorpe is a lovely time of year to visit the reserve as it takes on its autumnal colours.Ìý

The numbers of birds on the lakes and woodlands begin to swell as our winter visitors arrive looking for some milder weather to sit out the cold season. Here they can enjoy the safety that Pensthorpe offers and also the chance of free food from our feeding stations at many of our hides or out on the lakes.

Feed the birds

Our daily floodlit bird feed is always a hive of activity, as the birds jostle for the best position.

It's a fantastic time to see large flocks of Goldfinches feeding on thistle-heads around the reserve or Linnets feeding on grass seed.

As winter approaches, the Wader Scrape comes into its own, as passage waders from Eastern and Northern Europe drop in for a ‘pit stop’ when passing through. It's also a great time to see large flocks of Wigeon, Gadwall and Teal.

Observers should be especially vigilant during easterly winds as these may bring in Siberian migrants. You might also be lucky enough to see adult and young Osprey as they pass through the valley.

Out in the woods, mixed parties of blue, long-tailed and Great Tits can be heard nosily calling to each other on the search for food. Also, you may see large groups of Thrushes, Fieldfares and Redwing feeding on Rowan and Hawthorn berries as they look to store fat to carry them through the harsher winter months.

Large numbers of Blackbirds from Northern Europe also begin to take hold and can be seen from the hides squabbling at the feeding stations.

Over on the farm large flocks of Lapwings gather to feed and shelter from the elements. This once common sight has now become scarce due to changes in agricultural practices, but we do leave areas specifically for them over the winter months to make up for this.

It is also the final chance to see Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows as they passage through the UK to find the warm sun in Africa.

In the garden

At home it is time to keep those bird feeders full and ensure that fresh water is put out daily.

As you go about getting your garden ready for winter try to leave piles of logs and leaves to provide a safe, cosy home for hedgehogs, bugs and beetles over winter.

If you have nest boxes in the garden then now is the chance to clear them of this year's nest materials, which harbour parasites.

New residents will use them to roost in over the winter before they become homes to next year's brood.

So wrap up warm and come and have a look at the hustle and bustle that winter brings.