Forestry England’s Dalby Forest is inviting people to help create a detailed picture of autumn colour this September to November.

The new citizen science project will help track how the season unfolds across the nation’s forests.

Autumn watch, the new nationwide science project, will encourage people to record and share observations of changing leaves in Dalby Forest, using an online autumn colour tracker.

Chris Sorenson, Forest Management Advisor at Forestry England, said: “Autumn is one of nature’s most spectacular seasonal events, but it also gives us a fascinating insight into how the nation’s forests are responding to the world around them.”

Forestry England Dalby launches autumn leaf watch.

placeholder image — Forestry England Dalby launches autumn leaf watch.

"The timing and intensity of colour can vary significantly with weather and growing conditions, and understanding those changes is increasingly important as our climate changes.”

The project will allow people to follow the progress of the season, while the data collected will contribute to a growing record of the timing and development of colour across the nation’s regions, habitats and tree species.

The launch follows an unusually hot and dry summer which has put many trees under stress, leading to some shedding leaves earlier than usual.

“We manage forests for generations, so we have to think long-term about what our forests might look like in the future and how we can make sure they remain healthy and resilient as conditions change,” added Mr Sorenson.

People will be able to use the colour tracker to record what they see in the nation’s forests.

"Projects like autumn leaf watch give us another way to build that picture, while giving people the opportunity to get closer to nature and notice the seasonal changes happening in their local forest.”

Visit forestryengland.uk/autumn-leaf-watch to find out more.