Rutting red deer. Foraging red squirrels. Migrating birds arriving on our shores and the changing colours of the leaves.

Autumn is a magical time for seeing nature in Cumbria. Coasts, fells and forests are among the places to enjoy it.

Dr Roy Armstrong is programme leader in zoology at the University of Cumbria.

He says spring and autumn are the best times of year to watch wildlife in the county.

"The red deer rutting at Martindale is always a great sight," he says. "The males are roaring as they fight each other for supremacy.

"Count the tines - the points on their antlers. The more tines they have is a reflection of their dominance. It's linked to testosterone and it's a measure of their condition.

"By a river in the evening you'll often see a male otter patrolling his territory. At dusk you can see a badger emerging from his sett. By weirs you can see salmon running up rivers."
Red deer by Jon Hawkins, Surrey Hills Photography.

Roy also advises looking out for less glamorous sights, such as a fungi known as dog's vomit slime mould.

"It's bright yellow and at its most showy at this time of year. It bursts to life on plants in woodland."

Roy's speciality is birdlife. There is plenty in Cumbria at this time of year, including thousands of geese arriving on the Solway.

"We're getting increasing numbers of little egrets from the Mediterranean. They're the brightest, whitest thing. They look like they've been washed in Persil. There are over 30 at Port Carlisle. A lot of people say they're coming this far north because of climate change. I suggest it's relaxation of hunting pressure.

"All our African birds have gone for the winter but we get redwings and fieldfare thrushes from northern Europe.

"They add to the atmosphere. The redwings have a high-pitched call.

"Spring songs are full of hope - they're here to breed. Autumn is more whimsical. There's a lovely difference in the soundtrack."

Where to go and what to do

Cumbria Wildlife Trust has produced a guide highlighting some of the the county's autumnal attractions. Here we pick out some seasonal highlights.

Martindale - Lake District National Park

Martindale, at Ullswater, is one of the best places in Cumbria to see red deer. A herd has been present here for over 300 years. October is the rutting season and early morning and dusk are the ideal times to listen for the distinctive bellow of the males. You may even see them clashing antlers.

Whinlatter Forest - Forestry Commission

Whinlatter Forest near Bassenthwaite is a red squirrel reserve. If you walk quietly you are likely to see reds anywhere in the forest, including at feeding stations. The forest is also home to roe deer, badgers, foxes, and birds like crossbill and siskin.

Campfield Marsh Reserve - RSPB

The reserve near Bowness-on-Solway is a good place to see greenshank and other passage waders from the hide. The reserve is made up of a saltmarsh, peatbogs, farmland and wet grassland, providing homes for a great variety of native wildlife.

Grizedale Forest - Forestry Commission

In autumn the larch, oak, elder and beech woods at Grizedale form a stunning backdrop for the distinctive woodland sculptures dotted around the forest. Grizedale is also home to red and roe deer and tawny owl.

Bowness-on-Solway Nature Reserve - Cumbria Wildlife Trust

A former quarry pit, this nature reserve is a mixture of pools, woodland and open grassland. At this time of year you might spot some fabulous fungi, including the fungi of fairytales - the fly agaric - with its red cap and white spots. Note: this is not edible.

Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve - Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Restoration work has taken place to preserve this important bog habitat. The Sphagnum moss is a sign of the area’s renewal. Autumn is a great time to spot short-eared owl hunting. Also look out for wintering snipe and the hardy Exmoor ponies which are used for grazing around the moss.

Haweswater Reserve - RSPB

In autumn peregrine and buzzard can be seen, along with dipper, raven, goosander, large movements of migrating birds and red squirrels. During the rutting season there are good views of red deer.

Solway Coast - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Solway Coast stretches from Rockcliffe in the north to Maryport in the south and is a great area to see migrant birds arriving. The entire Svalbard population of about 26,000 barnacle geese travel to the Solway Coast, along with pink-footed geese which leave their breeding grounds in Spitsbergen, Iceland and Greenland to feed on the creatures in the muddy estuary.

South Walney Nature Reserve - Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Home to Cumbria’s only breeding colony of grey seals, a visit between October and December may be rewarded with the sight of a seal pup. The best time to see the seals in the water is at high tide from the hides. Please note there is no access to the beaches. Only assistance dogs are allowed on the nature reserve.

For more information visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk