Autumn has been unseasonably late this year and we have had
to wait until the first weeks in November before we have truly seen the
characteristic autumnal colours around the reserve’s woodland. And it has been
worth the wait, providing visitors with a stunning backdrop. All deciduous
trees lose their leaves in autumn to minimize water loss during the cold winter
months, an adaptation to help preserve moisture in their branches and trunks.
Also, with decreasing daylight, less photosynthesis can take place and so a
tree without leaves is in a state of dormancy and requires less energy to
maintain. As trees start to “shut down” their photosynthetic power house in the
leaves, chlorophyll; the pigment that harnesses light, breaks down and in doing
so results in an array of different colours and hence the fantastic range of
autumnal shades that we see across our woodlands. It is of particular note when walking along
the newly opened path that borders the entrance road as you now feel totally
immersed in the reserve all the way from the reception hide. Now open, this
access makes walking to the south side of the reserve much more pleasant and
avoids any traffic on the approach road.
Visiting school children take part in a range of activities
on the reserve but one of my favourites is to look at the trees and help them
identify them by name. By using detailed identification keys children as young
as 7 and 8 can learn how to identify trees from their leaves, their seeds and
even their bark. By the time they leave most children will have a collection of
leaves and pine cones wedged in their pockets that they can produce once back
at school and confidently name. Local primary schools can visit the reserve
free of charge and bookings are now being taken for the Spring term at www.yorkshirewater.com/education.
