Many of us are aware that spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental wellbeing. However, sometimes we need motivation beyond these benefits, to push ourselves to go outside. This is where colour walks come in.

When you go for a walk, look for a single colour each time: yellow, orange, red… whatever you want! This detailed observation will give you a focus, and you’ll find that this activity energizes and stimulates you in a positive, joyful way. Colour can make you happy.

There’s colour even in winter (believe it or not) to brighten up a dull day. You’ll get a boost of much-needed Vitamin D at the same time, and can learn to identify plants, insects and birds that are new to you. But this comes with a warning: colour walking can be addictive!

To get you started on your colour-in-nature journey, here’s a list of plant, tree and insect species to look for in each season. The possibilities are endless, so why not see what else can you find?

Winter

White: Frost and snow; fluffy Clematis in leafless hedges; pearlescent Mistletoe berries; Snowdrops.

Yellow: Cheerful Daffodils; Goldfinches feasting on dried seedheads; lemony-yellow Brimstone butterflies – one of the first butterflies to wake up before spring.

Orange: Orange-pink sunsets – we have more of these at this time of year.

Red: The red-orange breast of a singing Robin; Redwings flying in flocks.

Pink: Winter-flowering Cherry trees in gardens.

Purple: Purple/blue/green flashes on Starling feathers; purple Ivy berries.

Blue: The cold sky of a wintry day.

Green: The olive green and yellow Green Woodpecker, drilling the ground for ants.

Black/grey: Long-tailed Tits flitting from tree to tree as they forage; Great Spotted Woodpecker (with white and red); Ash tree buds.

Spring

White: Explosions of Elderflowers; Cow Parsley.

Yellow: Lesser Celandines shining amongst heart-shaped leaves; Dandelions providing an early source of nectar for newly-awoken pollinators.

Orange: Small Tortoiseshell butterflies.

Red: Peacock butterflies.

Pink: Frothy Cherry and Apple tree blossom; raspberry-coloured Larch flowers.

Purple: Common Dog-violet; Early Purple Orchid.

Blue: Bluebells en masse in woodlands; Holly Blue butterflies; Blackbird and Dunnock eggshells.

Green: Vibrant and fresh Stinging Nettles; clumps of Wild Garlic; fresh Hawthorn leaves in the hedges; Dog’s Mercury in the woodland; the shrill screech of Greenfinches.

Black/grey: Black (and white and yellow) Bumblebees; Blackbirds singing in the evening; the Cuckoo heralding summer; St Albans Cathedral’s Peregrine Falcons hopefully raising new chicks!

Summer

White: Marbled White butterflies; Oxeye Daisies.

Yellow: Yellow and black Hoverflies; Ragwort (beloved by all sorts of insects); Meadow Buttercups.

Orange: Orange-red throats of Swallows; Orange-tip butterflies; striped Cinnabar Moth caterpillars.

Red: Soldier Beetles; Poppies; Ladybirds.

Pink: Towering Foxgloves; Elephant Hawk-Moths drinking night-time nectar from fragrant Honeysuckle blooms.

Purple: Knapweed; Teasel flowers; Buddleia bushes swarming with butterflies (we hope!); Tufted Vetch; male Purple Emperor butterflies supping on dew in the treetops.

Blue: Cornflowers; a summer day’s sky; Chalkhill Blue butterflies on sunny chalk grasslands.

Green: Shield bugs; metallic Thick-Legged Flower Beetle.

Black/grey: Six-spot Burnet Moth (with red dots); screeching Swifts.

Roses in MANY colours!

Autumn

White: White Dead-nettle.

Yellow: Buttery Field Maple leaves, Sycamore leaves; clumps of Chicken of the Woods fungi growing on tree trunks.

Orange: Orange-brown Oak leaves; Orange-brown Jays (with blue flashes on feathers).

Red: Maple or Beech leaves; Ladybirds going into a dormant state for winter; Rosehips; Hawthorn berries; Fly Agaric fungi; Dogwood stems.

Pink: Neon pink and orange Spindle berries.

Purple: Juicy Elderberries; purple-y Blackberries that stain fingers.

Blue: Blue-black Sloe berries.

Green: Another batch of Stinging Nettles, with fresh new seeds; green-yellow Ivy flowers that provide a late source of nectar for pollinators.

Black/grey: Gangs of Carrion Crows, Jackdaws and chattering Magpies on fields and in trees.

Written by Chloé Valerie Harmsworth, author of ‘The Secret Life of a Woodland Habitat: Life Through the Seasons’, ‘The Secret Life of Birds of Prey: Feathers, Fury and Friendship’ (both published by White Owl) and co-author of ‘Heartwood Wildflowers’ with Brian Legg.

For more ideas on how nature can benefit your wellbeing, read our 'Five Ways to Wellbeing' blog. You can also see some of Chloé’s own colour walks on Instagram @chloevalerienatureart