Welcome to our new Nature Wellbeing Calendar series.
Every month, our Calendars treat you to easy and enjoyable ways to get your regular healthy ‘dose’ of nature. Learn more about how nature helps your health and wellbeing.
Here’s some ideas for October.
1. Fungi season is in full swing! One good thing about October rain is the promise of the weird and wonderful afterwards, when Fungi emerges from the depths. Take a slow stroll on your favourite green route, and look closely at the grass on either side. Will you find Yellow Clubs, Pinkgills, Inkcaps, Earthtongues or Parasols?
And how about a Fungi Treasure Hunt on one of York’s ancient grasslands? Try the Ings, Hob Moor, or the Knavesmire. What a thrill if you spot a Fungi ‘jewel’ peeping through the grass! It could even be a rare red, green or pink Waxcap. Take a photo, and share your exciting find with friends and family, our Nature WhatsApp group, or sketch it in your Nature Journal. Why not also record your find on Plantlife’s Waxcap Watch App?
2. Who’s flying in for the winter? At dusk or dawn on an October day, keep a window ajar and listen out. Is that a friendly honk in hello? If you look up quickly, you may catch sight of a V-shaped gaggle of geese overhead. Smile to yourself. Is it the same geese as last year? If so, welcome back! Some geese migrate the same routes from the frozen north every year to enjoy our winter ‘warmth’. 🙂
Pause, and wonder where they came from, and where they are going to now. Perhaps take a walk or ride to your nearest Pond to look for newcomers. Would you recognise a visiting Pink-footed Goose, a Wigeon or a Teal? Learn more from the RSPB Autumn Arrivals guide.
3. Embrace the Autumn leafscape! Magic. Pure magic. As the year fades so the colour of our trees grows, and glows. Welcome to yellow and gold from the Willow, Birch and Field Maple, and orange and copper from the Lime, Beech and Cherry. Embrace them all!
Take every opportunity to get outside and stroll under trees, rain or shine. On a sunny day, pause and look up in awe at the vibrant colours and slanting rays of gold. On a dull or rainy day, linger under a tree, and watch the colours joyfully glow against the grey. Breathe in the glow. Breathe out any tension from the day. Let your heart sing! There is only colour and beauty in this moment. Embrace the magic of Autumn colour on a tree-lined route from the Millennium Bridge.
York Bike Belles 