5 nature activities to do at home during self-isolation

You may be missing your regular nature fix as the coronavirus crisis keeps us at home. But spring is in full swing and we can still enjoy it while staying safe. Whether it’s from your armchair or garden, or on a local walk, we’ve got you covered with five great ways to immerse yourself in nature.

Please follow Government instructions on staying local and social distancing to keep yourselves and others safe.

1. Take a woodland audio tour with our podcast series

Visit some amazing woods around the UK from the comfort of your own living room with our Woodland Walks podcast series.

Accompanied by special guests, we explore awe-inspiring woods and get lost together in the rich habitats that support our native wildlife. We discover the stories and characters that make each of our woods so special, and learn more about the Trust’s work to care for these amazing places.

Host Adam Shaw will transport you to an ancient wood hidden behind rows of houses just outside London, Scotland’s special rainforest, and some more unexpected sites, including a rural farm and Leeds city centre!

You could even be featured on future episodes. Make a recording of your favourite woodland walk (being sure to stay within walking distance of home of course) or just tell us about it in an email to podcast@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

2. A window into the lives of wild ospreys

Tune in to our live nest camera and escape to the wilds of Loch Arkaig Pine Forest without ever leaving the house.

Through the live feed, we’ve watched our pair, Louis and Aila, return to the nest for three years in a row, successfully raising three chicks so far. After overwintering abroad in warmer climes, Louis was first to return for the 2020 season – their fourth at Arkaig - on 5 April.

Our camera, supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, will bring you a glimpse of life in the heart of an ancient Caledonian pine forest. In previous years we’ve seen the struggles of first time parenting, dangerous intruders and lost eggs. But we’ve also enjoyed funny nest-building antics, food fights, sibling squabbles and first flights. These triumphs and tragedies give us incredible insight into the natural world.

3. Boost your British tree knowledge

How many tree species do you know on sight? Soak up more of your surroundings by learning all about British trees, from bark and berries to medicine and musical instruments. Our A-Z of British trees includes everything you need to know, including appearances through the seasons, favoured habitats and folklore tales. 

See how many different species you can spot in your garden, lining your local streets or thriving in nearby woodland. And you can even test yourself – or get a little help - using our free tree ID app!

4. Experience extraordinary woodland with interactive 360 views

Turn up the volume and hit the full screen button to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of some spectacular sites.

Enjoy a virtual visit to special locations in our woods, from Glen Finglas’ vast expanse of hills, woodland, water and open heathland, to the avenues and glades of Tring, with its historic features and fantastic views across the Chilterns.

With interactive popups to tell you more about the woods’ special features and options to switch between different seasons, it’s the next best thing to being there for real.

5. Share your local nature sightings with scientists

The Nature’s Calendar project tracks the effects of weather and climate change on wildlife across the UK. You can record over 150 different natural events for the project, and while we're spending more time at home, now is a great time to look out for changes in your garden. 

During spring, we’re looking out for a whole host of activities, including:

• the first appearances of many birds, bees, butterflies and wildflowers
• blackbirds, blue tits and great tits first building their nests and feeding young
• budburst, first leaf and first flowering of well-known trees and shrubs such as silver birch, rowan, horse chestnut, and hawthorn.

We have ID guides to help and it takes just a few minutes to add your records to the interactive map. Each entry can help scientists to better understand patterns in the natural environment and you’ll be adding to the longest written biological record of its kind – it has almost 3 million records spanning 300 years!