Autumn in the Forest
Autumn is a time for letting go, to breathe deeply and reflect. Nights draw in and get darker and time to snuggle under the duvet.
Plants must adapt to the conditions around them too. Trees have an amazing ability to sense changes in weather. They begin to prepare themselves as soon as they recognize the signals that winter is coming. Deciduous trees prepare for dormancy, which is like animal hibernation, by slowing their growth and dropping their leaves. Trees also protect their cells from freezing temperatures by moving water from inside the cell to tiny spaces outside of the cells, which prevents the cells from freezing.
Animals like bears, skunks, and squirrels also like to stay tucked in during the winter
When most people think of “birds flying south for the winter” they associate it with a mass exodus of Swallows, Martins, Swifts, Warblers and Terns (amongst others), but don’t forget that it also means an influx of over 50 waterbird species from northerly latitudes into Ireland for the winter! In the last few weeks the first reports of our wintering goose and swan species have been filtering in.
Stocking up piles of food is not the only way animals prepare for colder months. Some animals change their appearance to adapt to the weather. Just like we put on winter jackets, some animals’ fur grows thicker and heavier. Other animals’ fur changes colour to blend in with their surroundings.
Arctic foxes change their fur colour from darker colours in the summer to almost completely white in the winter. White-tailed deer become darker brown in colour to blend in with the dead plants and leafless trees.
So there you have it – thousands of geese and swans are currently migrating from Iceland, Greenland and Canada to spend the winter in Ireland! Many of these species are of conservation concern and we’re lucky to have the wetlands to support them, so do keep an eye out for them in your area as the winter goes on!
Autumn in the Forest
Autumn is a time for letting go, to breathe deeply and reflect. Nights draw in and get darker and time to snuggle under the duvet.
Plants must adapt to the conditions around them too. Trees have an amazing ability to sense changes in weather. They begin to prepare themselves as soon as they recognize the signals that winter is coming. Deciduous trees prepare for dormancy, which is like animal hibernation, by slowing their growth and dropping their leaves. Trees also protect their cells from freezing temperatures by moving water from inside the cell to tiny spaces outside of the cells, which prevents the cells from freezing.
Animals like bears, skunks, and squirrels also like to stay tucked in during the winter
When most people think of “birds flying south for the winter” they associate it with a mass exodus of Swallows, Martins, Swifts, Warblers and Terns (amongst others), but don’t forget that it also means an influx of over 50 waterbird species from northerly latitudes into Ireland for the winter! In the last few weeks the first reports of our wintering goose and swan species have been filtering in.
Stocking up piles of food is not the only way animals prepare for colder months. Some animals change their appearance to adapt to the weather. Just like we put on winter jackets, some animals’ fur grows thicker and heavier. Other animals’ fur changes colour to blend in with their surroundings.
Arctic foxes change their fur colour from darker colours in the summer to almost completely white in the winter. White-tailed deer become darker brown in colour to blend in with the dead plants and leafless trees.
So there you have it – thousands of geese and swans are currently migrating from Iceland, Greenland and Canada to spend the winter in Ireland! Many of these species are of conservation concern and we’re lucky to have the wetlands to support them, so do keep an eye out for them in your area as the winter goes on!