Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassain and National Trust Director General Hilary McGrady discuss the magic of autumn and outline nine free sensational things to look out for in nature this half-term
Nature lovers have been served up a spectacular treat by the incredible BBC One Sunday nature series Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles.
Co-produced with the National Trust, it follows wildlife cameraman Hamza Hassain as he reveals hidden gems from across the four countries of the UK.
“As the UK battles with a mental health epidemic, we believe nature connection has never mattered more. We’ve both seen first-hand how nature can transform lives.
“Whether it’s through filming Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles or working with communities across the country, we’ve heard countless stories of people finding solace, joy and connection in the natural world.
“This new series on BBC One and iPlayer, co-produced by the National Trust and The Open University – isn’t just a love letter to nature’s beauty. It’s a timely reminder that nature is a healer.
“When the filming team visited places like Morecambe Bay and the residential streets of Leeds, residents would light up talking about swifts or wading birds. In the same breath they’d share how nature helped them cope with anxiety or isolation. It brought neighbours together, sparked conversations and created a sense of belonging.
“We may know instinctively that being in nature makes us feel better, but the science backs this up too. Researchers at the University of Exeter found that people living in more green space report significantly lower levels of mental distress and higher wellbeing.
“Despite this, most of us won’t act on it over the coming months. According to a new YouGov poll commissioned by the Trust], 90% of UK adults say spending time in nature has a positive impact on their wellbeing, yet only 13% say they feel most connected to nature in autumn.
“We get it. As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, the temptation to cosy up and retreat indoors increases. But we’re both big fans of autumn and believe it is one of the best times of year to connect with nature. We want everyone to get out in nature, on their own, with their partners or friends or with their children this half-term holiday.
“It’s not just the blazing reds and golds in our woodlands, or the crunching leaves underfoot, that turn our forests into playgrounds. In wetlands, coastal towns and estuaries, wintering birds and wildfowl gather. Finding comfort in numbers, thousands come together to feed and roost. Visit these places either side of high tide and you’ll experience something more spectacular than anything your smart phone has to offer.
“Sometimes, it’s more than just being in nature that helps – it’s sharing it – and it’s this sharing that can help combat loneliness. Around six in ten adults in the UK experienced some degree of loneliness last year, and one in 10 young people reported feeling lonely most or all of the time.
Nature gives us the chance to meet others on our own terms – whether it’s a birdwatching or walking group, a tree-planting volunteering day or, even a WhatsApp group for residents like the one in Leeds featured in the series who worked together to bring swifts back to their community.
But no one should have to go far to experience nature and to feel its benefits – whether that’s in our gardens, streets, local parks or wider countryside. Around 65 million people – 85% of the UK population – live in urban areas, where access to green space is deeply unequal, so tackling this will remain one of the Trust’s top priorities for the next decade.
If you need a little inspiration, look no further than the National Trust’s Wild Senses campaign. From spotting nature hiding in plain sight to helping many of the species that star in the Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles series, let’s not wait for spring, autumn is here and nature is calling.
Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles is on BBC One tonight at 6.15pm and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
Nine things to do in nature this autumn:
Twilight acrobatics: bats on the wing
Head to your local woods or simply watch the skies above your street at dusk, and you might catch bats flitting through the air. These nocturnal creatures are busy feeding up before their winter hibernation, darting and diving in pursuit of insects in a silent aerial ballet.
The sky dances: starling murmurations
One of the most breathtaking sights of the season is the starling murmuration. At dusk, hundreds—sometimes thousands—of starlings gather in open spaces, swirling and swooping in mesmerising patterns. These coordinated movements are not just beautiful; they’re a survival strategy, confusing predators and strengthening social bonds before migration.
Hedgehogs on the move
In gardens and parks, hedgehogs are bustling about, foraging for food and building nests of leaves and grass. These endearing creatures – who are becoming an increasingly rare sight – are preparing for their long winter sleep, and a pile of leaves in a quiet corner might just be their chosen hibernation spot.
Garden bird bonanza
Robins, sparrows, and goldfinches are frequent visitors to bird feeders at this time of year. Their vibrant plumage and cheerful songs bring life to even the greyest mornings. Keep an eye out for the flash of a goldfinch’s yellow wing or the robin’s iconic red breast.
Migrating marvels
Look to the skies and coastlines for migrating birds. Canadian geese honk overhead in V-shaped formations, while flocks of fieldfares and redwings arrive from colder climes, feasting on berries in hedgerows and fields.
Kingfishers: flashes of brilliance
Along clean rivers and lakes, the electric blue flash of a kingfisher is a rare but unforgettable sight. Watch for them perched quietly on branches or darting low over the water in search of fish.
Owls on the hunt
Tawny and barn owls are more active now, hunting over rough grasslands and farmland. Their ghostly silhouettes and eerie calls add a touch of mystery to the autumn night.
Deer in the dappled woods
Deer are foraging more visibly in woodlands and parklands, their antlers silhouetted against the golden light. In some areas, you might even hear the roar of rutting stags competing for mates—a primal sound of the season.
Webs in the morning light
Spiders are busy spinning intricate webs, which glisten with dew or frost in the early morning. These delicate structures, often overlooked, are masterpieces of engineering and beauty.
For more information see: How you can help nature on your doorstep | National Trust