Inspiration for things to enjoy in Nature at the end of the harvest season

The beginning of September presents Nature in its transformative stage of transition from Summer to Autumn. The Swifts have now departed for sunnier climes with the last of Summer's migrants birds feeding on the abundance of wild berries as they stock up on Winter fuel. Squirrels, Mice, Beavers, Birds and other creatures preparing for hibernation are busy collecting nuts that will see them through the cold Winter months ahead.

Signs of Autumn are beginning to emerge everywhere with Hazelnuts, Conkers, Beech Nuts and Sweet Chestnuts falling from boughed branches. Thistles and Nettles are bowing over at the end of their seasonal cycle. Leaves are starting to die down before turning into golden blazes of autumnal colour. Hedgerows are burgeoning with the red and purple berries of Rose Hips, Elderberries, Sloes and Blackberries. 

The moist, warm weather of September brings out the slow bloom of fungi fruits on ancient tree stumps and forest floors. Liberty Caps sprout from crusty Cow pats and around 15,000 species can be found growing across the British Isles at this time of year. In woodlands you will find the Death cap, Fly Agaric, Wood Hedgehog, Woolly Milkcap, Artists Bracket, Oyster Mushroom. Birch Polypore. False Morel, Yellow Stags Horn Hoof Fungus, Chicken of the Woods and Beefsteak Fungus. 

Keep an eye out for Dragonflies in the early hours, hunting their prey with lightening-quick efficiency. Watch them patrolling above the tops of bushes and trees, darting left, right, up, down, backwards and sideways as they grab any passing insect from Flies to Bumblebees with their strong jaws. After feeding, see them basking in the Sun's rays.

At night, listen out for the 'Tu-whit, Tu-whoo' and 'Kee-wick' calls of Tawny Owls perched on the highest branches as they hoot to each other across the night sky.

You can find gardening tips. vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season, and things to forage, in my Almanac for September(2023).

Poem for the month

Read or listen to my first poem - Welcome September - a celebration of Nature's 'opening up' as Spring comes into its own.

Recipe for the month

There is no better time of the year for making Rose Hip Syrup from the abundance of ripened hips found in gardens, hedgerows and woodlands throughout September. This is a traditional recipe with only two ingredients which can be bottled and stored for use throughout the year as a sweet alternative to Maple Syrup or Honey or as a medicinal anti-inflammatory remedy packed with Vitamins A, D and E.

Dates for Moon phases

Harvest New Moon - Tuesday 3 September

Harvest Full Moon - Tuesday 17 September

Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)

First Dawn - 6.29 am

First Sunset - 7.59 pm

Last Dawn - 7.14 am

Last Sunset - 6.54 pm