Sloe (Prunus spinosa)

Sloes are the small, dark purple fruits of the blackthorn bush found in hedgerows. These berries, about the size of a grape, have a sharp, bitter taste when eaten raw but are prized for making sloe gin, a popular winter tipple. They were traditionally harvested after the first frosts of autumn which softened the fruit and enhanced their flavour.

Sloes are ready to pick when they have a little give when squeezed between thumb and finger and the skins have a cloudy bloom. Today, this tends to be much earlier than the first frosts but it’s possible to recreate the freeze-thaw process at home in the freezer.

Rich in antioxidants, sloes have anti-inflammatory and stomach calming properties. While their tartness makes them unsuitable for direct consumption, they are perfect for jams, jellies, and, of course, infusing spirits.

Redwing (Turdus iliacus)

Redwings are small migratory thrushes that arrive in Britain during autumn, typically from Scandinavia and Iceland, seeking milder conditions.

Recognisable by their creamy white underbellies, streaked chests, and the distinctive red-orange patches under their wings, they are often spotted in flocks alongside other winter visitors like fieldfares.

Redwings feed on berries, particularly hawthorn and rowan, as well as windfalls in orchards, and will move to open fields to forage for worms when food becomes scarce.

Crab apple (Malus sylvestris)

Crab apples are small, tart fruits that grow on wild apple trees commonly found in woodlands, hedgerows, and along country lanes.

Unlike cultivated apples, crab apples are much smaller, sometimes no larger than a cherry, and vary in colour from yellow and green to deep red. While too sour to eat raw, they are highly valued for making jams, jellies, and sauces, as their high pectin content helps to set preserves.

In autumn, crab apples become a vital food source for wildlife, attracting birds, such as blackbirds and thrushes, as well as small mammals including voles, foxes, and badgers.

Red deer (Cervus elaphus)

The red deer rut is one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in autumn.

From late September through to October, male red deer, or stags, engage in intense displays of dominance to win over females, known as hinds. The air fills with the resonant roars of stags, as they bellow to assert their presence and ward off rivals.

Clashing antlers are a common sight, as stags battle in physical contests of strength, locking horns to establish territory and mating rights.

This behaviour is best observed just after dawn and before dusk in open landscapes such as moors, heathlands, and glens. The Scottish Highlands and Islands, and Exmoor National Park are prime wild locations for witnessing the rut, but deer parks, where the animals are more accustomed to being around humans, offer closer and more reliable viewing opportunities.

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Keep an eye out for fly agaric in woodlands, heathlands, and near birch trees. Known for their iconic bright red caps with white spots, these fungi are among the most recognisable, and most toxic, mushrooms in the wild.

Fly agaric thrives in damp autumn conditions, and its distinctive appearance makes it a popular subject for photographers and foragers alike, though it’s one to admire from a distance. The mushroom contains toxic compounds that can cause hallucinations if ingested, and it has a long history of use in various cultural rituals and folklore.