Help us monitor Autumn events following the extreme weather of the summer

Following one of the warmest summers on record, we are seeing an incredible number of autumn observations being submitted to Nature's Calendar. So far, we have received more than 1,350 records, including reports of migrating summer birds, the first ripe fruits appearing in their hundreds, and the first signs of leaves beginning to change colour. 

Research has shown that autumn is often the least studied of the seasons, meaning each record helps us build a better understanding of how nature responds to our changing climate. 

As the temperatures have now dropped and daylight shortens, we should start to see nature flow into autumn. Falling temperatures trigger chemical changes within leaves. As chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for their green colour, breaks down, other pigments become visible, producing the yellows, oranges, reds and browns associated with autumn. 

Now is the perfect time to keep your eyes peeled for signs of seasonal change and record your observations of first autumn tinting, full autumn tinting and bare trees. A reminder of autumn tree events to look out for: first ripe fruit, first leaf tinting, full autumn tinting, falling leaves, and bear trees. You can add a record on Nature's Calendar here.  

False autumn  

As some of your will have noticed, some trees were showing signs of false autumn. False autumn can be misleading as it is not a true indication that autumn is arriving earlier each year in the same way that spring has advanced. Instead, it is often a survival strategy and could be a sign of stress in trees and plants caused by adverse weather conditions, such as the extreme heat and lack of rainfall experienced during summer 2026. How exceptional were UK summer 2026 daily temperatures? - Met Office.  

We have even received reports of horse chestnut trees and a few other species flowering after losing their leaves.

Huge thank you to Nigel Wood for sending in this picture of a horse chestnut coming back into flower in October after the leaf falling in Nottinghamshire.  This is another indication of stress and may represent a survival strategy. As a result of this stress, there may be reduced flower and fruit production next season. This phenomenon is often called false spring. Autumn flowering across tree species suggests emergence of ‘false spring’ - The Tree Council  

Trees are not the only species responding to seasonal change. 

Migratory birds  

The changing seasons also bring the arrival of our winter visitors. Reports of redwings and fieldfares are already starting to come in. 

In 2025, the average first recorded dates for fieldfare and redwing were 11 and 10 days later respectively than during the benchmark period. With sightings already being reported this year, it will be interesting to see whether their arrival follows a similar pattern. Keep your eyes peeled and let us know when you spot them! 

Fungi 

Let's not forget fungi. Now is the perfect time to get out and spot fly agaric, one of our most recognisable autumn species. It will be particularly interesting to see how this summer's extreme heat and dry conditions may have affected fungal emergence and fruiting. 

And finally, don't forget to record your final lawn cut of the year. With the unusually mild conditions we've experienced recently, it will be fascinating to see whether gardeners across the UK are still mowing well into autumn or even all winter.