Connect with nature throughout the year
Every month will have a different theme and we will be promoting resources and activities on this page as well as publicising related projects and events.
Spending quality time with nature can reduce anxiety, balance your mood and help you feel more positive. Take a moment to notice nature in your daily life. You might be surprised by what you see on your daily walk or in your garden.
January’s theme: Big Garden Birdwatch
What better way to start the new year than by enjoying time with nature. Discover the birds on your doorstep by taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s fun and free to do.
Organised by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), the Big Garden Birdwatch is for everyone, whether you're a complete beginner or a birding expert. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 26 and 28 January 2024.
By signing up to the Big Garden Birdwatch you, and hundreds of thousands of other like-minded nature lovers, will be taking action to protect our birds for generations to come!
Taking part is easy:
1. Sign up
2. Watch the birds around you for one hour
3. Count how many of each species of bird lands on your patch
4. Tell us what you saw - even if that’s nothing at all! You can submit your results online or by post.
And to increase your chances of seeing lots of birds, find out how you can attract birds into your space. You don’t have to buy anything expensive – you can just put out leftovers (although avoid dried fruit like raisins if you have a dog as these can be toxic to them). Read further information online.
Take action for wildlife at home
The Berks, Bucks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
BBOWT tells you how to help wildlife in your garden including providing a regular supply of water.
RSPB
The RSPB bird identifier lists 405 species of birds found in the UK, including some rare overseas visitors. You can also Identify a bird with the RSPB bird song identifier
The RSPB gives you ideas for activities and will help you to plan simple tasks ‘perfect for your patch’ whether it is a window box, outdoor space or garden.
Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust has gathered some ideas to help you and your family enjoy a summer visit to a wood near you. Woodland Trust woods in Cherwell include:
Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre
You can also share your wildlife sightings with staff at the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) who will add them to their database and make sure your records are used in local-decision making.
Oxfordshire Mammal Group
Find out about a variety of mammals in the County including the hedgehog. In Oxfordshire, hedgehogs (listed as European hedgehog) are widespread but declining and known records can be seen on this County map.
Kirtlington Hedgehog Street
Kirtlington Hedgehog Street is connecting gardens in the village to give hedgehogs enough space to breed and to help keep them off the roads. Why don’t you create a hedgehog street in your local area?
More about hedgehogs
More information about hedgehogs is available from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Habitat Heroes
With natural nesting sites in decline, adding a nestbox to your garden can make all the difference to your local birds - see how to build a bird box. Always get an adult to help with tools!
Make your garden hedgehog friendly and watch out for visitors. Why not talk to your neighbours about creating a hedgehog hole in your garden fence or build a hedgehog home? Why not create a hedgehog highway like Kidlington?