With the trees changing colour, the temperature dropping and nights closing in it can only be time for one thing – the return of the BBC's Autumnwatch. 

The series starts tomorrow, Friday 2 October, but things will be a little bit different this year. Rather than having programmes Monday to Thursday for an hour each evening for two weeks the series will this time last eight weeks with just one weekly episode on Friday nights (at 9pm). I also understand that there will be a Saturday afternoon repeat for the family audience for whom 9pm may be a tad late. Autumnwatch Unsprung is also moving from the "red button" to BBC 2 where it will be on immediately after the main programme. One thing that hasn't changed though is the presenting team. Kate, Chris and Simon will be back to introduce us to a whole new set of fluffy or furry friends for the season.

There is quite a bit of discussion on line as to whether the changes will be good or not. It is true that squeezing everything into two weeks made things a little rushed sometimes and out in the real world autumn isn't compressed into such a short period. On the flip side, only catching up with everything once a week may make continuity a bit more difficult. Their website will continue to be updated though between programmes with the usual mix of photos, blogs and webcams. Remember though that we're also interested in hearing about what you spot as we move into autumn. Please feel free to e-mail us here at UK Nature Blog with news of your sighting and any photos at editor@uknatureblog.com