This week marks the end of Bat week, an international celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.

Bats have got rather a bad reputation over the years, associated heavily with Count Dracula and blood-sucking – especially around Halloween! In actuality there are an amazing 18 species of bat in the UK, none of which suck blood but all of which are vital for our ecosystems.

From the tiny pipistrelle bat, which weighs the same as a 2p coin, to the noctule bat dwelling in trees, our bats work hard as pollinators, insect control and seed dispersers – without them we would live in a very different world!

Bats are less active as the winter draws in and mating season finishes, but you can still spot them if you know where to look! Bats roost in holes in trees and old buildings, and feed in parks, gardens and woodland, and they can also be spotted at several of our reserves, including Potteric Carr.

Fabulous, fabulous fungi – an autumn spectacle in its own right, with some excellently spooky names!

The candlestuff fungus looks like a pair of bare stags horns or a recently blown-out candle, the devil’s fingers fungus resembles some sort of evil octopus or squid, and the stinkhorn fungus smells foul – and its mature body looks disturbingly finger-like! Not to mention the quintessential childhood (and extremely toxic) fly agaric mushroom, and fairy rings formed of mushrooms found deep in the woods…

Fungi are truly an amazing autumn sight and great fun to spot on a woodland walk! You can find many of them, including the ones mentioned above, at reserves such as Potteric Carr and Grass Wood.

Be careful not to touch fungi unless you are very certain of their identification!

Owls have had a mixed history in the mythology of England, variously believed to bring both bad and good luck – much of this stems from the owl’s association with night and darkness. Historically they were also believed to be able to predict storms!

Owls are almost inaudible in flight, a skill afforded to few other birds and a result of their unique feather structures and wing size – much larger in comparison to their body than many other birds. They also fly much slower than many other birds to remain silent, which often means more of an experience for any lucky watcher.

They make a ghostly screeching sound which can be a bit disconcerting if unexpected, and their pale colour means they have sometimes been mistaken for ghosts.

Try North Cave Wetlands, Wheldrake Ings or Ashes Pasture nature reserves for a glimpse of a barn owl – dawn or dusk if possible.