Natures Calendar

January

Winter, a lingering season, a time for gathering golden moments and enjoying idle hours. The cold weather and bare landscapes provide us with a chance to see the baron bones of the world around us, before they are smothered in the green growth of spring.

As the rain falls in our urban surroundings and the warmth of our homes keep us cosy, there is the temptation to explore wetland walks. Having 9 Wetland Trusts in the UK, we have the opportunity to explore the wildlife on offer. As you venture out you would expect to see wildfowl including gadwalls, teals, kingfishers and herons.

It is not completely unheard of for January to be an almost entirely sunny month, embraced with crisp frosty mornings. The rays shine down on the snowdrop which hangs its head humbly in the cold air. Honeysuckle burst into leaf at the beginning of the month as birdsong increases noticeably, male species respond to the lengthening days, establishing their territories. Wild flowers are more noticeable, the lack of warmer weather foliage exposes this beautiful winter flora.

January, is a quieter time of year for myself, but allowing me the opportunity to catch up on unfinished projects and to look forward to the prospects of commencing new drawings and sketching the beginnings of art commissions.