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Autumnwatch 2009 will be spread over a longer period this year but just one hour per week. The first programme will be on Friday 2nd October and the last on Friday 20th November.
Autumnwatch 2008 was based on Brownsea Island situated off Poole Harbour in Dorset.
Brownsea Island is owned by The National Trust, with over 200 acres managed by Dorset Wildlife Trust. The nature reserve ecosystems include a brackish lagoon, saltmarsh, reedbed, two freshwater lakes, coniferous & deciduous woodland and is a site of special scientific interest.
Brownsea Island has built up on the sand and mud bank deposited in the shallow harbour of Poole.
This peaceful island of woodland, wetland and heath is famous for being the birthplace of the Scouts and Guides.
The picturess island of Brownsea is home to a nationally important population of red squirrels, wading birds and a wide variety of wildfowl.
The island has a heronry where both Grey Heron and Little Egret nest. The island has a large population of non native Sika deer and in order to protect some areas of woodland from getting damaged by the deer and allow other species to thrive sections of woodland are fenced off to restrict the deer.
The lagoon has a large population of Common Tern and Sandwich Tern in the summer and a very large flock of Avocets in the winter months.
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 Escape the noise and stress of modern life and discover nature in this unspoilt setting where you can find great walks, take in the breathtaking views, explore the island and see wildlife in its natural habitat.
Autumnwatch 2009 will be spread over a longer period this year but just one hour per week. The first programme will be on Friday 2nd October and the last on Friday 20th November.
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 Autumn wildlife in your Garden.
For the animals and creatures that don't hibernate over the Winter - Autumn is the time to stock up on supplies. Those birds that haven't migrated will be gorging on berries and you will also see flocks of fieldfares and redwings as they head for our shores for the winter.
You may see hedgehogs in your garden as they too stock up on food in preparation for hibernation.
In October the Starlings will start to gather in large numbers in the tree tops as they prepare to join larger flocks in the woodlands for winter. Although they are still drawn back to your garden to feed on insects & berries.
Plants like holly, hawthorn, crab apple, birch and elder attract the birds as they provide a vital source of food for the winter. As does the food you put out for the birds in your garden.
Autumn also brings other wildlife to your gardens like foxes, badgers, squirrels, bats, rabbits, frogs, hedgehogs, toads and slugs as they get braver in their search of food.
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Feeding the birds this Autumn
Birds during the autumn months need to stock up on high energy food to build up their energy reserves.Those that migrate need it for the long journey ahead of them, and those that remain at home need to build up their reserves for the winter months when natural food is in shorter supply.
You can help them in their quest by ensuring you have a regular supply of food available for them in your garden. The wider variety of different foods you offer them the more different types of birds will visit your garden. High energy foods such as peanuts, suet, sunflowers & mealworms are a good source of protein and energy to help build their reserves for the months ahead.
The way you dispense the food is also very important. Remember some birds feed from the ground others prefer a table or to hang from a feeder.So to ensure theres something to suit all birds its a good idea to have a range.
A bird table will appeal to the birds that cant hang from feeders, but may be too timid to feed from the ground.
Ground feeding will appeal to others less timid like the Robin, Blackbird and Thrush - you can buy purpose made ground feeders which will help you keep the ground free from access food that may attract vermin as you can take any uneaten food up at night.
Feeders will attract the birds that like to hang while they feed like the Greenfinches, Goldfinches, Great Tit & Blue Tits. You can get feeders that dispense seed, peanuts, suet & mealworms.
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There are a variety of bird food mixes available with some mixes contain ingredients preferred by certain birds to help encourage specific birds into your garden.
Blackbird and Thrush food contains fruit & berries like sultanas, apple & rowan berries that appeal to as the name suggests Blackbirds & Thrushes and is best fed from a table and the ground.
Robin & Tit food contains granulated peanuts, sunflower hearts and insects loved by Robins & Tits.
British finch food contains a host of small seeds which will be loved by all the Finches that visit your garden.
While these mixes will help attract the birds they were formulated for they also attract other birds that will eat their favourite ingredients from within the mix.
High energy no mess is an all round favourite with many birds as it contains a popular mix of ingredients that attract small and larger birds alike.
Suet is a great high energy food that will attract dunnocks, tits, robins, starlings, finches and sparrows.
Dried mealworms are the perfect treat to add to your birds diet, mix with the seeds, feed on there own from a mealworm feeder and attract all insect feeding birds to your garden.
There are a wide variety of plain seeds and nuts which are also a good source of energy & protein for your garden birds. Peanuts are a firm favourite and will attract tits, woodpeckers, nuthatches & sparrows. Sunflowers are also a great food source, with sunflower hearts and black sunflowers being the two most popular varieties.
So why not try a variety of different foods to see how many different breeds of birds you can encourage into your garden. Don't forget you not only need to offer a variety of food but also dispense it a variety of different ways.
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