Lough Boora Parklands

Autumn is a time of movement and change in the Parklands. The summer visitors begin to leave as winter visitors such as Whooper swans, Shovelers, Pintails, and Pochard begin to arrive. Lapwing numbers start to increase with the arrival of birds from northern Britain.

The Parkland’s Frogs, Newts and Hedgehogs enter hibernation around the end of September or early October, while Pipistrelle and Long-eared bats mate before they too hibernate

Colours of autumn appear

The wildflower displays are over by the middle of autumn but are replaced by the russets and reds of the Purple moor-grass and Bog cotton. In early autumn deciduous trees are a mass of colour but by the end of the season they are bare, save for the red berries of the Rowan (Mountain ash) and Holly which can be seen throughout the Parklands where they will provide food for birds and animals throughout the winter months. Meanwhile, plants such as Willow herb, Broom and Herb Robert disperse their seeds. It is now that the Fungi start to emerge becoming more noticeable as the season progresses into winter.

Autumn sees the Parklands covered in early morning mists and dew and a morning walk under such conditions offers the chance to marvel at the beauty of the many spider webs. Just as the summer displays are legendary so too are the autumn reds, golden browns and yellows and a walk around Turraun during this season is a rewarding experience.