As autumn colours spread across the local area and Halloween approaches, our parks, woodlands and nature reserves take on a more mysterious feel. Misty mornings, scarlet berries and the calls of birds overhead have inspired stories and superstitions for centuries.

Many of our most familiar species have fascinating links to British folklore. So, if you're heading out for an autumn walk this October, keep an eye out for these wildlife wonders and discover the myths that surround them.

Carrion Crow

A gathering of Crows can feel perfectly suited to the Halloween season. Their glossy black feathers, intelligent eyes and haunting calls have inspired stories across Britain for hundreds of years.

In folklore, Crows were often seen as omens of bad luck or misfortune, partly because they were commonly found scavenging on historic battlefields. Later, during the witch trials, black birds became associated with magic and witchcraft, with crows sometimes believed to act as supernatural companions or "familiars" to witches.

In reality, Crows are far more fascinating than frightening. They are among the most intelligent animals in the world. Scientists have discovered that Crows can recognise individual human faces, use tools to solve problems and even warn other Crows about people they see as a threat. They have also been observed gathering around dead members of their flock, leading to comparisons with human funerals.

The next time you spot a Crow watching from a treetop, remember that you're looking at one of Britain's cleverest birds.

Rowan Tree

October is a wonderful time to notice Rowan trees, their branches heavy with clusters of bright red berries.

For centuries, Rowans were regarded as powerful, protective trees. Their vivid berries were believed to ward off evil spirits, and Rowan branches were often hung above doorways, barns and stables for good luck. The wood was used in charms, and as walking sticks and divining rods, while small pieces were sometimes carried in pockets for protection. Some people even strung the berries onto red thread to create protective garlands, thought to shield homes and families from bad fortune.

Look closely at the base of a Rowan berry and you may spot one reason it became so closely linked with magic. The small dark marking left by the flower forms a five-pointed star, or pentagram, a symbol that was traditionally associated with protection. Combined with the berries' striking red colour, this helped cement the Rowan's reputation as one of Britain's most magical trees.

Today, Rowans remain an important source of autumn food for birds such as Blackbirds, Thrushes and Waxwings. Their fiery berries also bring a welcome splash of colour to parks and hedgerows as the days grow shorter.

Barn Owl

With its heart-shaped face, pale plumage and almost silent flight, a Barn Owl drifting over a meadow can seem almost ghostly. It's no surprise that these birds have inspired stories for centuries. Historically, Barn Owls picked up nicknames including "ghost owl", "church owl" and "screech owl". Their eerie shrieks and hissing calls, often heard after dark, led some rural communities to fear them, even earning them the name "demon owl".

Like many nocturnal creatures, Barn Owls became associated with superstition and mystery. In some traditions they were seen as omens of death or misfortune, while in others owls were viewed as symbols of wisdom, protection and messages from the gods. Some people believed their calls could predict changes in the weather, while others saw them as messengers from another world. Yet despite these spooky stories, the Barn Owl is one of Britain's most loved birds today.

As autumn evenings draw in, keep an eye out for Barn Owls hunting over rough grassland, field margins and hedgerows. Their pale wings can appear almost luminous in the fading light as they glide low over the ground, listening for the movements of small mammals below. Seeing one emerge at dusk is enough to understand why they became such a powerful figure in British folklore.

Magpie

Few British birds have inspired as many superstitions as the Magpie.

Many people still know the famous rhyme:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy...

The number of Magpies seen together was traditionally believed to predict good or bad fortune. Across Europe, Magpies have also been linked with magic, fortune-telling and shape-shifting legends.

Today, Magpies are one of our most successful and adaptable birds. Look out for them striding confidently across lawns, chattering from treetops or flashing iridescent shades of blue and green as they catch the autumn sunlight.

Fly Agaric

October is peak fungi season, and woodland walks can reveal some extraordinary shapes and colours emerging from the leaf litter. The most famous of all is the Fly Agaric, with its brilliant red cap speckled with white spots.

If any fungus looks magical, it's this one. Fly Agaric has appeared in fairy tales, folklore and storybooks for generations, becoming the classic image of an enchanted woodland. It has long been associated with fairies, woodland spirits and magical creatures, and it's easy to see why.

Although beautiful, Fly Agaric is poisonous and should never be eaten. Historically, it was even used to kill flies, which is how it got its name.

Look for it beneath Birch trees or among Pine and Spruce trees, where it forms an important partnership with tree roots, helping both fungus and tree thrive. It's a reminder that nature can be every bit as magical as folklore suggests!

Holly

Although we often associate Holly with Christmas, its evergreen leaves and bright berries stand out throughout autumn.

For centuries, Holly was believed to offer protection from bad luck and unwanted spirits. People would hang Holly branches around their homes, and folklore suggested that planting Holly along boundaries could stop witches crossing into a property.

There was even a belief that cutting down a mature Holly tree could bring misfortune. Instead, people treated the trees with respect, sometimes asking permission before taking a branch.

Today, Holly plays an important role for wildlife. Its dense evergreen foliage provides year-round shelter, while its berries become a valuable food source for birds during the colder months.

Whether or not you believe the old legends, these stories show how closely people once observed the natural world. The birds, trees and fungi around us inspired generations of myths, superstitions and folk tales, many of which survive today.

So this October, wrap up warm and head outdoors. You might spot a crow perched against an autumn sky, hear the call of an owl at dusk, or find a bright red Fly Agaric peeping through fallen leaves. And as you explore, perhaps you'll see why these magical species became part of Britain's rich folklore in the first place.

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