Our Wild Coast - The importance of getting outside

It is often a lot less appealing to go outside at this time of year. With not many hours of daylight and lots of cold, wet and windy weather, it is easy to make excuses to stay indoors. Our Wild Coast groups get out in all weathers and feel the benefits of it. Here are Project Officer Charlotte’s top tips for making the most of the season.

If you can get outside at this time of year (if it’s raining – wear a raincoat, if it’s really cold – wrap up warm, if it’s dark – take a torch!) then you won’t regret it. Here are some ideas to get you out and enjoying nature at this time of year.

• Sunrises and sunsets are at sensible times during the winter… you don’t have to wake up too early or stay up too late. Find a view to the East for sunrise or to the West for sunset, even on a cloudy day watching the light change can be amazing.
• Go for an evening walk (or just stand outside in your garden in the dark!). It’s a great time of year to listen out for tawny owls. The females make the “twit” or “keewick” sound and the males go “whoooooo”.
• Stormy weather often means lots of interesting things washing up on beaches. Visit your local beach for a walk and you can see what has appeared, you could even take gloves and a bin bag to do a litter pick. While you’re there, take lots of big deep breaths to breathe in that fresh sea air!
• A walk in the woods – look up at the trees while they have no leaves on them and watch them sway in the wind, it’s often easier to spot wildlife as there are less leaves for them to hide in. 
• Put up a bird feeder in your garden so that if you really don’t want to go outside then you can let nature come to you. Sit inside and watch the birds visit your feeder. There’s not much food for birds at this time of year so you will be taking positive action for nature too.