Natural way to recovery
THIS year, for many of us, our local parks, yards, windows and balconies became our only glimpse of freedom and normality.
From discovering a beautiful local walk on your doorstep to stopping and listening to the birds in your garden for a while, being able to stay connected with the outdoor world has been vital for our health and wellbeing as we navigate the global pandemic.
This week, we launched our Nearby Nature report which has been sent to 10 Downing Street and Defra to demonstrate the role that wildlife has played in our recovery.
In that report, a staggering 99 per cent of people who responded told us that being able to connect with local wildlife and outdoor spaces during the coronavirus restrictions has been ‘ Very Important’ or ‘Important’ to them.
Just imagine where we would all be without it.
And whilst our adventures have been closer to home, they certainly don’t have to be any less exciting.
Especially once you know what to look out for and some of the incredible stories and survival tactics behind our more common and everyday wildlife.
Did you know, garden snails can self-fertilise which means they don’t actually need to mate with another snail to reproduce. Butterflies can taste using their feet and starlings are great singers and impressive mimics, able to imitate the calls and songs of other birds and even mechanical sounds.
As the seasons change and we begin to transition into the crimson and golds of autumn we will be able to experience and explore those familiar local landscapes through a new lens.
September is the start of fungi season, replacing flower heads with an emergence of alien-like fruiting bodies which begin to populate the parks and trees.
Take a look and see if you can spot any on your next walk.
Hedgerows burst to life and blackberries are ripe for the picking.
It’s also a great time to start looking out for conkers, the reddish brown seeds of the chestnut tree.
Leaves will begin to tumble from the trees and decorate the floor with a warmth of colour.
Leave them undisturbed as a safe place for wildlife to shelter.
Wintering geese will begin to flock to our water ways as they stop off to feed on their long journey from the Arctic Circle. Look out for their perfect V-shaped formations as they make their way across the skyline, honking noisily at each other as they pass.
Staying connected with nature has never been more important.
You can read the full findings of our Nearby Nature report, find out more about how you can help and the next steps we are taking as an organisation to ensure our parks and greenspaces are protected and properly cared for by visiting www.lancswt.org. uk/our-work/nearbynature-report.