19 August 2026

From dramatic flocks of migrating birds, to rutting deer, seal pups, fascinating fungi and golden-hued forests, the wildlife and natural world displays across the UK and Europe during autumn are a sight to behold. With the -ber months almost upon us, the wildlife experts at Naturetrek have put together their list of the best places to discover the seasonal splendour of the natural world during autumn. 

The Isles of Scilly: Migrating birds, mild climes and magnificent seals 
In autumn, the enrapturing Isles of Scilly - just 28 miles off the coast of Land’s End - offer a mild climate with a blend of glorious sunshine and impressive storms, and the islands teem with resident and visiting wildlife amongst a huge diversity of tropical flora. The main island of St Mary makes a great base for exploring the archipelago, with the inhabited islands of St. Agnes, St. Martin's, Tresco and Bryher all worth exploring on day trips for their fascinating birdlife and natural history. Travelling between the islands by boat during autumn is straightforward, using the reliable inter-island ferry services. Exploring easily on foot, you’ll discover white sand beaches and granite forms, witness a diversity of migrating birds from North America, Siberia and Southern Europe, and see rare flora species which thrive in the almost frost-free climate. Autumn is breeding time for Atlantic and Grey Seals so lucky visitors may catch sight of a fluffy pup, and you’ll likely also witness migrant moths and butterflies - perhaps even the spectacular Monarch butterfly.

The New Forest: Ancient woodlands aglow with colour, birdlife and fungi 
Arguably the most spectacular time of year to visit, autumn in the New Forest offers an incredible display of fiery colours across its ornamental woodlands and rolling landscapes. Joining the year-round resident ponies and donkeys roaming the New Forest, autumn brings the addition of pigs to its wildlife roster, taking part in the annual tradition of pannage - grazing on the fallen acorns that are poisonous to the former. The colourful woodland at the heart of the National Park boast rich birdlife, from Goshawk to Hawfinch, an incredible network of fungi comprising around 2,700 species, bats aplenty during early evening and at night. Nearby, the coastal wetlands of the Solent are worth exploring to see migrant and wintering waders and waterfowl.

Islay and Jura: Wonderful wildfowl displays and world-famous malt whiskies
The rugged Hebridean islands of Islay and Jura offer an unmatched blend of incredible wildlife watching, dramatic coastal scenery and fine malt whiskies, making them an ideal spot to retreat to for an autumnal adventure. Islay is the important area in the British Isles for wild geese and by late October it is heaving with wildfowl, and if there at the right time you’ll be able to witness the spectacle of up to 40,000 migrant Barnacle Geese taking up temporary residency as well as the largest wintering population of Greenland White-fronted Goose and soaring Golden Eagles. The island of Jura offers a contrast with its dramatic cliffs, caves, sweeping beaches and swirling whirlpools, and its autumn wildlife includes thousands of Red Deer, wild goats, Common and Grey Seals and Otters. Evenings after a day of wildlife watching and walking are best spent in cosy lodgings sampling some of the world-famous whiskies produced here. 

Beachy Head: Autumnal migrating birds and iconic views 
The iconic white rolling cliffs of Beachy Head on the south coast are a mecca for a number of migrating bird species during autumn as they take a last chance to build up fat reserves before flying south across the channel to their wintering grounds. Head to the picturesque coastal habitat in East Sussex to take an exciting exploration through dense valleys, hollows, woodlands and meadows in search of migrating birds-of-prey such as Honey-buzzard and Osprey, as well as passerine species from regularly-seen warblers to more rare species such as Wryneck and Melodious Warbler, and of course take in iconic views of the Seven Sisters. 

The Dolomites: Mountain views, alpine birds and autumn flora 
October in the Dolomites brings a clarity and freshness in the air as the trees start to change colour and the last of the summer flowers make their final displays for the season. The region is less crowded than in the summer months, and there are plentiful, charming family-run lodge hotels with spectacular mountain views to choose from. Going out on foot each day, you’ll be able to see various species of alpine birds including the beautiful Wallcreeper, migrating passerines including hundreds of finches, Red Deer rutting and the very last flowers of the year such as Autumn Crocus, all against the dramatic mountainous setting of the Dolomites. 

Lithuania: Golden ancient forests and birdlife of the Baltic Flyway 
The southernmost of the Baltic states, Lithuania in autumn is a splendid sight, as the forests covering a third of the country turn shades of gold and orange. Located along the Baltic flyway, it also offers prime spots for witnessing the autumn migration, none more so than the beautiful Nemunas Delta and the extraordinary Curonian Spit, a long neck of land between the Baltic and the huge freshwater Curonian Lagoon, from which to see thousands of birds daily, heading south for the winter.

Hungary: the gathering of the Common Cranes 
Every autumn, Hungary’s Hortobágy National Park is host to one of Europe’s greatest wildlife spectacles - the incredible gathering of over 100,000 Common Cranes. Explore the park’s open steppes and lakes during the day, then in the early evening take position directly beneath the cranes’ flight path to witness - and hear! - flock after flock pass overhead, a truly incredible wildlife spectacle to observe for any natural world enthusiast. Bükk National Park is another beautiful are to explore during the autumn, its golden wooded hills and meadows the ideal place to seek out woodpeckers and raptors. Hearty Hungarian cuisine and welcoming hospitality at independent inns make the ideal way to round off a day exploring.  

Greece’s Peloponnese: Autumn botany and landscapes 
As the heat of mainland Greece’s summer subsides, October and November bring pleasant, cool temperatures and vibrant colour, with a variety of autumn wildflowers bursting into flower across the Peloponnese. Those into botany and adventure will love exploring the picturesque limestone mountains and valleys of the peninsula, while history enthusiasts will marvel at the Classical and Byzantine ruins in the region, and discovering the many charming Greek villages and fishing ports is a lovely way to while away an afternoon and round off the day enjoying flavourful, seasonal Greek cuisine and wine.

Visit naturetrek.co.uk for more autumn wildlife ideas. 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About Naturetrek: Established in 1986, Naturetrek has 40 years’ experience in operating group and tailored wildlife holidays, offering the largest selection of professionally organised, expert-led wildlife holidays and tours in the world. Naturetrek’s team of wildlife enthusiasts and dedicated travel professionals is passionate about organising outstanding, competitively priced and responsible wildlife holidays, short breaks and day trips around the world. To speak to the experts for more information on any of Naturetrek’s wildlife itineraries, or to request a copy of the latest brochure, call 01962 733051 or visit www.naturetrek.co.uk.

Sustainable Tourism at Naturetrek: Naturetrek is a tour company run by naturalists for naturalists, all committed to ensuring the long-term protection of species and habitats. It remains a family-owned business and actively invests its profits in purchasing land to be managed by wildlife and conservation charities for the benefit of the natural world. In 2000, Naturetrek was one of the very first British tour operators to encourage its clients to contribute towards off-setting their carbon emissions. Since 2007, Naturetrek has made contributions for every flight that it books, donating £15 for every person booking a long-haul holiday and £5 for each short-haul traveller to its local conservation partners. To date this has raised over £625,000 and funded Naturetrek’s very own ‘carbon retention’ project, building up the ‘Naturetrek Reserves’ in collaboration with its Ecuadorian partner, Fundación EcoMinga. The project has created an invaluable wildlife corridor between the national parks of Llanganates and Sangay National Parks on the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes in an area now covering 2,181 acres and saving a valuable habitat and its endangered wildlife from deforestation, as well as preventing the release of an estimated 105,000 – 210,000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere. In 2023, Naturetrek purchased the 120-acre ‘Macchietelle estate’ in Italy's central Apennines, which it has passed by way of a 30-year stewardship agreement to the Italian conservation charities Salviamo L’Orso (Save the Bear) & IntraMontes. In August 2025, Naturetrek completed the purchase of the 3,609-acre Stuckindroin estate in Scotland where, working with an experienced wildlife conservation organisation, it will be part of a 200-year project to restore the native Scottish rainforest and other nature-rich habitats across the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

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