Autumn life in the arboretum


Autumn is always abundant in the arboretum, with nuts, fruit and seeds providing plentiful supplies of food for wildlife.


Spiders


Did you know that autumn is a brilliant time to marvel at the intricacy of a spider’s web? On a cold autumn morning, why not take a walk through Silk Wood and go spider spoting? You’ll find their elaborate webs are particularly beautiful when there’s a heavy dew or frost.


At this time of year, common spiders are fully-grown. If you’re lucky, you might spot one constructing its web. Take a moment to admire the exquisite and complex creation. You might also glimpse driſting gossamer produced by dispersing baby spiders. This amazing process is known as ballooning. The spiders climb up high to produce threads that catch the wind like a parachute. The breeze then carries their minute offspring across long distances.


Credit: Peter Smithers 40 WESTONBIRT AUTUMN 2017


Where Throughout the arboretum When Most frequently seen in late summer and autumn Time Most visible in the early morning dew


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52