Ö÷²¥´óÐã

As mother nature creates a palette of orange, reds and browns with the onset of Autumn, the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Autumnwatch team are all ready to showcase the season to millions of television viewers.

Earlier in 2008, the team spent a few weeks at Pensthorpe Nature Reserve near Fakenham to share Norfolk's wildlife with the nation.

Wildlife expert Mike Powles

Mike Powles, a wildife consultant with the Springwatch crew, talks about a very wet, but wonderful year at the Pensthorpe reserve and is confident that next year will be better than ever.

The stars of spring have now moved on, but Mike provides a final epilogue on the Springwatch stars like Toilet Duck, her youngsters and "the tits".

The days after Springwatch

After a fantastic spring and summer at Pensthorpe, the Springwatch stars have all moved on.

Visitors are still asking about Toilet Duck and her youngsters. Mrs TD is probably enjoying a little peace and quiet on one of Pensthope's many lakes.ÌýHer youngsters have dispersed and probably have not strayed too far as there are still easy pickings to be had at the reserve.

The nestbox stars "the tits" are now to be seen in mixed parties along the hedgerows and in the woods at Pensthorpe.

The birds, not longer being territorial, move in groups of up to 40 birds as this is safer. Eighty pairs of eyes are more likely to see the local sparrow hawk on the prowl!

There are still a few swallows around fattening up on Norfolk insects before their long journey south to warmer climes in Africa.Ìý

Bill and Kate all set for Autumwatch '08

It's probably the case that the birds that were successful this year will return to the same area in 2009.ÌýLet's hope that the "Infanticide Male" who stole the headlines during Springwatch has better manners on his return!

We have small numbers of post-moulting Lapwing on the pastures together sometimes with the odd Oystercatcher. Some of these birds may have been the stars from earlier this year.

If you remember, some our stars that had the worst time during the breeding season were our Little Ringed Plover's.Ìý

It all turned out OK in the end - with some chicks raised,Ìýthese birds and their parents are on their way to the winter quarters in the Mediterranean as I speak.

The Kingfishers that bred and raised two broods at the Wader Scrape hide are still around and can be seen regularly.ÌýThe adults are more likely to withstand the cold but this year's young will find the winter hard and many will not make it through to next year.

Pensthorpe wardens clear the nests

I'm sure however that some will be tough enough to breed at Pensthorpe again next year.

Well, that's a "wrap" (Springwatch jargon) for this season. However, there is much more planned for an exciting 2009. Work is already underway on ensuring that Springwatch at Pensthorpe next year will be bigger and better than ever.

Look out for my update at Christmas, when I shall let you into a few secrets about next year's nature spotting.

All the best.

Mike