Every autumn, headlines warn about spiders invading our homes. But what’s the real story with our eight-legged neighbours?

Well, we got some rain! This week we passed the 1,000 tree mark of the 5,500 we are planting this winter in various hedgerows around the reservoir paths.

We have begun this winter's tree planting! It wasn't the best start. The weather has been extremely dry, and the ground of the area we are working in is particularly stony and hard.

October has been a relatively mild month here at Abberton, but the reserve is still changing into its autumn colours.