Welcome Student Members!
As December sets in and the temperatures drop, our local wildlife needs a helping hand more than ever. If you’ve been feeding birds or hedgehogs in your garden, don’t stop now! These creatures may come to rely on you as a source of nourishment during these cold months. Here are some ways to give back to nature, enjoy the season, and make this Christmas one that celebrates the great outdoors.
· Birds: Blackbirds, robins, and finches will thank you with their cheerful presence. Fat balls, seeds, and nuts are ideal, and recording which species feed on what can be a great activity! Mix lard, seeds, and oats to create suet balls for your garden birds. Watch which species flock to your feast.
· Hedgehogs: Spotting a hedgehog in the daytime is unusual and could signal it needs help. Reach out to local wildlife rescue organizations if you see one. If you’re feeding hedgehogs, remember to offer meaty cat or dog food—not milk or bread.
Why not take a festive walk this Christmas? Bundle up and head out to see what winter wildlife you can spot. Look for red berries, frosty leaves, or even animal tracks in the snow (if we are lucky). You might find a robin perched on a branch or a squirrel darting about.
Nature-Inspired Gifts
This year, consider gifts that inspire a love for nature:
Subscriptions:
o Don’t forget to subscribe to our wonderful Salisbury and District Natural History Society for 2025!
o Mud & Bloom offers nature-inspired crafts and activities for kids.
o RSPB or Wilts Wildlife Trust Memberships more ideas for young nature lovers.
Homemade Gifts:
o Decorate a notebook for a budding naturalist – every good ecologist has a book they write down their sightings in. Include ideas for reserves to visit or species to find. You can use your homemade nature journal to jot down the birds using your feeders
o Create fairy doors from natural materials like wood and paint them for a touch of magic. These little doors are a great way to compliment the magic of nature in everyone’s garden or flower pot. (Don’t forget to check those fairy door spots to ensure nothing’s overwintering there!)
o Make festive treats like damson jam or blackberry pastries from foraged ingredients.
Upcycled Creations:
o Repurpose old fabric into doll blankets or boxes into toy garages.
o Make decorations such as wreaths using sticks, pinecones, and dried flowers.
Select gifts made from natural or recycled materials and think about passing on well-loved items. A handmade dollhouse or a Nerf gun passed down could mean just as much as something shiny and new.
Together, we can make the season magical for both our loved ones and the natural world.
Outdoor Activities
