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Now the approach of Autumn can be sensed .....

After a Summer's rest, the robin begins its territorial song again.  The robin is unusual in that it holds a territory throughout the Winter.  And more unusual still in that both male and females hold and defend separate territories.  At this time of year the robin's song is very subdued and melancholy.

Often, when it has been cloudless overnight, then mists hang in the early morning air.   A before-breakfast walk on north Chobham Common will often take you down into thick mist lingering in the valleys.

After a heavy overnight dew, the heather will be seen to be festooned with drew-drapped spiders webs - in immense profusion.  Viewed against the light the effect is quiet stunning - but you will need to be up and about early before the sun's rays burn away the moisture.

And of course, September is when many fungi put out their fruiting bodies - mushrooms and toadstools.  In late September the car parks on Chobham Common are often lively with Poles and Czechs out on a fungus foray.  In these countries, people understand mushrooms and hunt them excitedly.  Those who have come to Britain seem to have brought the skill with them.

At this time of the year the old queen wasp die and hence the whole organisation of the nest falls apart. Workers stop collecting insects for food for the young in the nest and instead become free-ranging vandals.  They become great nuisances to us as they just want to gorge on sweet jams etc.

Swallows have left their breeding areas (usually around farm buildings) and begin to congregate into flocks forming up ready for their long migration back to Africa.   They can often be seen around the monument on the north Chobham Common.