As the temperature gets colder and the nights get longer it is tempting to stay inside – but a nature reserve in the county “comes alive” with activity in the autumn.
Pulborough Brooks in the Arun Valley is home to a range of habitats from grasslands and wildflower meadows to heathland and forests.
As the seasons change, the woodlands at the RSPB reserve turn golden and visitors can discover a “rainbow of fungi” including the amethyst deceiver and green elf cup by following the wooded heath trail.
Anna Allum, RSPB visitor experience manager, said: "Autumn at RSPB Pulborough Brooks is a really special time of year as the wetlands come alive with activity.”
Visitors can see a range of wildlife, including migratory birds such as wigeon, teal and pintail which join Pulborough Brooks for the colder months of the year.
“If you take a walk to Hanger View you can watch the incredible spectacle of thousands of ducks arriving and feeding. Keep an eye out for peregrine falcons and white-tailed eagles too, as they come to hunt in the area,” said Anna.
“The woodland paths look beautiful in autumn as the leaves turn to orange.”
Anna said there is lots for wildlife lovers and families to discover at the site, which is between Pulborough and Storrington.
“The café and shop have stunning views of the Arun Valley too,” Anna added.
Recent visitors have seen white storks catching fish from the Winpenny Hide on the reserve.
The storks, which were reintroduced to the Knepp Estate in Dial Post, near Horsham, back in 2016, now regularly feed at rivers and wetlands across West Sussex.
In autumn, visitors can also spot the last of the summer migrant birds before they head further south.
Spotted flycatchers, redstarts and whinchats perch on the hedgerows and fencelines between filling up on insects for their long journeys to Africa.
Wading birds like green sandpipers enjoy the soft mud on the edges of pools which re-emerges after dry summer weather.
Visitors can sample one or two juicy blackberries but are told to make sure to leave plenty for the comma butterflies, common lizards, wood mice and voles who enjoy them too.
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