January is a great time to re-focus and think about a little self-love. Nature can play a big part in that process whether you are engaging with it wrapped-up warm outside or taking it in from your window.

Seek out a Starling murmuration

January is a great time to look out for one of nature’s most staggering spectacles – a Starling murmuration. During the winter months, large numbers of the birds visit our shores from the continent, seeking out the relative warmth of our climate. The spectacle begins as dusk arrives, with flocks arriving from all directions to gather in the skies above their roost sites. The many hundreds or possibly thousands of birds create incredible extending and contracting shapes as flocks merge, swirling back and forth. Depending on conditions, Starlings will decide upon which reedbed to roost in but if you are happy to take a chance on witnessing this phenomenon head to Tring Reservoirs Nature Reserve, where you stand a chance of enjoying this sight.

Go for a wintry walk and spot Snowdrops

Wrap up warm and take an amble. It might be cold outside but a walk on a cold winter’s day can clear your head and warm your soul. As you stroll look out for Snowdrops, one of our earliest flowering plants, coming into bloom in January and flowering until March. These plants can remind us how resilient nature can be, with their nodding heads of white flowers looking picture-perfect above, often frozen, ground. A sign of hope and of what’s to come…Head to Panshanger Park near Welwyn Garden City for a wonderful show of Snowdrops, or lookout for them dotted on the floors of our woodland nature reserves.

Start a nature diary or journal

It’s a new year so how about chronicling what you see with a nature diary? Write, draw, or photograph what you see, or do a bit of everything! By taking a couple of minutes a day (or whenever you remember/have time) to notice your surroundings, this connection with nature will provide you with time out and put a positive spin on your day. Plus, you’ll have the chance to look back and re-live those precious moments time and time again.

See your grey space as green!

However tiny, greening creates homes wildlife can move into and flourish. Natural habitats boost wellbeing and calmness improving water drainage and climate resilience. Take a look at your pathways, driveways or unused concrete corners and start imagining a greener space. Attracting wildlife with plants can help boost local biodiversity and help air pollution for a healthier environment. January is the perfect time to plan turning grey into living, planted places.

Create a wildlife haven to watch from your window

It’s a well-known fact that birds struggle to find food sources in winter. By placing a strategically-placed feeder or two you can do your bit for wildlife and enjoy the show as different visitors come into view. Read more in our blog ‘How to Feed Garden Birds in Winter’.

Let what you see contribute to citizen science

Take part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch between 24-26 January by spending one hour watching the birds in your garden, from your balcony or local park and reporting what you’ve seen. Last year the House Sparrow topped the polls for the 21^st year in a row, followed by the Blue Tit and Starling but what will your findings reveal?

Find out more about how nature can boost your wellbeing and discover 5 Ways to Wellbeing and here.