Wild Things columnist Eric Brown turns the spotlight on wildlife leaving the shadows for a last-minute autumn food-gathering frenzy before winter's icy grip means a much-reduced menu.

Around this time of year, hitherto hidden wildlife often emerges from hiding seeking food to eat or store for consumption during winter's harsh grip. This can include lizards, certain birds and insects. Common or viviparous lizards are faring so well on Chislehurst Commons that a recent survey conducted by Kevin Jennings discovered 12 there. He also recorded 73 of the legless lizards called slow worms. "It's certainly been a good year for reptiles here," said Kevin. Habitat improvement is now underway at Chislehurst Common to stop bracken, blackberry and gorse becoming too dominant.

Wild Things: An end to badger culls

For three weeks now I have observed a real autumn treat. A couple of jays take an identical flight-path past my house bearing fallen acorns in their beaks then return "empty". They will be burying the acorns in soft ground for retrieval and consumption when the severest winter weather means much else is out of reach. Occasionally, the jays forget their stash location and have been credited with creating more woodlands than the Forestry Commission. Jays are large, crow-sized members of the corvid family which includes rooks and jackdaws. With their eye-catching pink, white and black livery rounded off with dazzling blue wing patch, they should be unmissable. Yet it is surprising how discreet they can be outside the acorn-collecting season.

Chislehurst Commons is also a favourite autumn location for jays along with mushrooms which grow in the dampest parts of the wood. Unless you are expert, do not risk eating them as some can be dangerous or even fatal. Near the pond, a drake mandarin duck has shown off his recently acquired spectacular, fresh plumage.

Wild Things: The birdwatching year in books

Over at Crossness on the Belvedere/Abbey Wood borders, visitors have been admiring a national rarity. The shrill carder bee's numbers are in freefall but these insects are still buzzing at Crossness. They have a straw-coloured thorax, with a dark band and a similar abdomen with orange tip. Its habitat is grassland and brownfield sites where it feeds on flies and white-tailed bumblebees.

It would be nothing short of a wildlife sin if this now rare bee was wiped out at Crossness because of development plans now threatening the reserve. For the latest on this, please visit the Save Crossness website.

EVENT: Chislehurst Christmas Fair, Sunday, November 24 from 11am to 5pm, Chislehurst High Street. The high street will be closed for the stalls including one for Chislehurst Commons featuring xmas cards and photographs of the commons for sale.