Due to Covid-19 most of us are in quarantine or lockdown. Here are some nature activities to keep you connected to nature and occupied!
MAKE A BUG HOUSE: to make a bug house or hotel you will need a range of materials. Such as: bricks, flower pots, bamboo sticks, dried grass cuttings, tubes, logs, pipes, stones, dry leaves, straw, hay, twigs and anything accessible to you in your garden! Pile up all of the materials you have available making a base and working upwards! This will be a great space for bugs and insects to hibernate over winter! You might get bugs such as: centipedes, beetles, woodlouse, moths, snails, spiders and ladybirds. It is a great way to attract them into your garden!
CREATE ROCK ART: collect smooth rocks and paint on them! Paint butterflies, leafs, flowers, birds and more! I find acrylic paints work best and you can varnish spray them after to make them waterproof and shiny! Thankfully all paints and varnish can be purchased on line and delivered during quarantine!
TAKE PART IN THE BTO BIG GARDEN BIRDWATCH: free to everyone during the lockdown, taking part in this activity is a great way to stay connected to nature and learn more about the wildlife in your garden! It will also provide important information about the birds in your gardens and their populations. Go to this link for note information!
BUILD A DEN AND CAMPFIRE: although this might not be accessible to all, building dens and campfires in the woods is a great way of having fun in nature! Using large sticks build a den, with big leafs over the top for camouflage! Then dig a pit in the floor (away from the den so it doesn’t catch fire) and fill with firewood! Cook your meal over the fire and eat it in the den – using logs for seats!
MAKE A BIRD FEEDER: to make your own bird feeder you will need an empty coconut half or mould, one block of lard, bird seed and peanut butter. Melt the lard and peanut butter. Once fully melted, mix together and pour in the bird seed. Then pour into a coconut half or mould and set in the fridge for around 2 hours! Put out for the birds and watch them feed!
GO ON A BUG HUNT: spring is truly here now and so the warmer weather will bring lots of mini beasts to our gardens! Can you find: butterflies basking in the sun, a bee looking for nectar or a snail in a damp and shaded space?
MAKE A PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIO: if you are a photographer, make a presentation of all of your best photos! This could be in a scrapbook, presentation folders or just a notebook! Write about the photos – what were the settings used? Where were they taken? Is there anything that could be improved? It is a lovely way to present your photos!
WATCH SOME WILDLIFE WEBCAMS: wildlife and nature webcams are a great way of viewing animals and birds without disturbing them! There are lots of webcams available, some of my favourites are: CJ Wildlife – where you can watch tawny, barn and little owls as well as peregrine falcons, kestrels and many more! The Wildlife Trusts – where you can have a look in a bat box, osprey nest, puffin colony and more! And the Birds of Poole Harbour – where you can watch different birds feeding and birds out on the shore! Check out these amazing 24/7 webcams and watch wildlife up close!
I hope you enjoy these activities and that they keep you entertained and connected to nature during quarantine!