Autumn Watching, and Nordic Walking

Nordic Walkers in Chestnut Avenue, Bushy Park. 

Autumn is in full swing, with leaves and conkers dropping from the trees in the parks. It's a beautiful time of year to be Nordic Walking.   However, the chestnut trees in Bushy Park, and across the south of England are dropping their leaves early due to a leaf mite.  This problem first appeared in Wimbledon a few years ago, and is slowly spreading across the country.  My thanks to a walker, Jackie, for alerting me to this.  For more details, see the Forestry Research site -

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-68JJRC

We regularly Nordic Walk in Bushy Park, where there is a mile-long tree-lined avenue (Chestnut Avenue), which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren to be the grand entrance to Hampton Court Palace.  Although not used as such now, it is still an impressive sight, especially in spring and autumn.  The chestnuts are flanked by six rows of lime trees, all neatly cropped by the deer.

Tree stump, Chestnut Avenue.  

Also impressive are the masses of mushrooms that have recently emerged.  At times, we have been walking over a carpet of sprouting funghi.  I know little about funghi so if anyone knows what these are called, I'd be happy to hear.  My mushroom book suggests they might be of the species Gymnopilus!

Abundance of mushrooms

The other major event that's happening in Richmond and Bushy Parks, as well as in the wild, is the annual deer rut.  Photos can't do it justice, so I'd encourage you to visit these parks and see one of Nature's free shows for yourself.

Red Deer stag with fallow deer behind

 There's nowhere else you can see stags battling for supremacy, at such a close quarters.

Some stags are used to people being close, but don't approach during the rut.

But you don't have to take my word for it.  The BBC's "Autumnwatch" programme returned last night and featured the rut in Richmond Park.  Go to the site (www.bbc.co.uk)  and find it under "iPlayer" if you missed it (UK only).

[The other wonderful animals on the programme were otters from Shetland, which I was lucky enough to see in the summer. See the "Shetland Safari" entry on this blog for more details.]

Lastly, if you are fed up with deer photos, here is one of an elephant, taken on a trip to Botswana.

You can learn more about elephants, Botswana, deer and mushrooms AND get fitter, if you care to join me for Nordic Walking sessions!

Please call or email to find out more.
Peter
07703-404-931