We know that spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing, but it can be tough to find time to get out as the days get shorter and the nights draw in. That’s why we’ve compiled these tips for making the most of those precious few daylight hours, or even venturing out after dark.
Make the most of your lunch break
Have you ever had one of those days when you arrive at work in the dark, only to leave in the dark eight hours later? Taking breaks is so important at any time of year, but never more so than in winter when they can be our only opportunity to absorb some much-needed vitamin D.
Take a stroll through your local park (ideally with a flask of warm tea) and you might see squirrels caching their nuts, Blackbirds plucking berries from the trees or a raft of ducks dabbling in the pond. Even if you work in an urban area, there will always be something to see, whether it’s a skein of geese flying overhead or a flock of Starlings twisting and turning as they try to escape a predatory Peregrine.
As well as residents such as Blackbirds, autumn and winter sees other berry-loving birds arrive on our shores, such as Fieldfares and Redwings. Image credit: Ben Andrew.
If you can’t get out to see nature, bring nature to you
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, there are lots of ways you can bring nature right to your doorstep. For those of us that live on the mainland, hedgehog houses with a dish of suitable food will give these prickly mammals a cosy hideaway, while winter can be the busiest time on bird feeders across the country. With a shortage of natural foods such as seeds and invertebrates, many birds rely more on supplemental feeding from humans. So just fill up the feeder, park a chair by the window and enjoy the show.
Even if you don’t have a garden, you don’t need to miss out on the fun. Many feeders are designed to stick directly to windows, or you could have a chat with your work to see if you can make the office more wildlife friendly.
Long-tailed Tits are one of many species that will flock to a feeder in your garden. Image credit: Chris Gomersall.
Embrace the darkness
While it’s important to get outside during daylight hours, you can still get your nature fix after the sun goes down. In fact, there is lots of wildlife which only comes out after dark.
Many owls are famously nocturnal, so listen out for the ‘twit-twoo’ of a Tawny Owl pair or see if you can spot a Barn Owl flying past in eerie silence. Their unsuspecting prey might also be out and about, so if you see a rustle in the grass, it could be a mouse or a vole. Keep an eye out for hedgehogs and – if you’re in a wooded area – maybe even a badger too.
Top tips for night-time wildlife watching: wrap up warm (don’t forget that extra pair of socks), pack a hot drink, and find a comfy spot where you can sit still for an extended period. If all else fails, the stars can look incredible on a clear night!
With their white feathers and silent flight, Barn Owls are often referred to as 'ghost owls'. Image credit: Ben Andrew.
Brilliant thank you.
An excellent article! Thanks.