As I write (well push 2 fingers vaguely at the keyboard) Autumn has definitely arrived, heavy rain and leaden skies dominate this early October week. This is after all, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

With all this mellow fruitfulness it's a vitally important time for our resident wildlife. The need to build up fat reserves to pass the times of little, is demanding. The lucky ones who hibernate or indeed leave our shores must also make the most of natures rich abundance: they need the energy to get them through their long sleep or flight.

But conversely other wildlife makes our country home for the winter. One such visitor to Thursley Common is the Great Grey Shrike, also known as 'the butcher bird'.  Let me explain. This visitor from the near continent feeds on small birds, reptiles and beetles, which it will actually store. The method of storage though is intriguing. It impales its prey on twigs, effectively meat on hooks, to create a larder of food, thus the butcher.

It is also the time of year that Reserve staff appear with their chainsaws, and associated bonfires. As the wildlife has finished with this year's breeding, we can move in to carry out the habitat management the common needs. Our goal is to maintain a mosaic (or variety) of habitats including woodland, scrubby margins and open heath.  If we did nothing we would rapidly lose the open heathland and its vast diversity of associated wildlife.

Winter management this year will be focused on opening up some of the footpaths and bridleways that have been neglected of late. As well as the usual blocks of over dominating scrub, we will be tackling some of the unwanted re-growth along with seed borne invasive species which have germinated since the fire.

Another useful management method we will be using this winter will be turf cutting. This ancient practice, originally used for extracting peat as a fuel source and for use as roofing material,  has wider benefits for wildlife. In previous "Life on the Commons" I have mentioned the solitary bees and wasps.  These, along with reptiles and some beetles, all make use of freshly created open ground for hunting and egg laying. These cut turfs don't go to waste though. Ours have gone on to golf courses trying to create or restore heathland, and on to the new A3 bridge margins to create wildlife friendly habitat and help prevent erosion.

And finally, I am planning another work day on Sunday 15^th November. Meet at the Thursley recreation ground by the children's play area at 10.30 am. We will be clearing some of the invading scrub, so a cheery fire may tempt some. Working until 3 pm(ish) or, as however long you can spare. Old clothes, gloves (I have some), food and drink required, I will bring tea, coffee and maybe even some cakes. All tools and training provided. Please let me know if you can help - contact details below. I look forward to hearing from you.