12 Days Wild in Seaford
Have you signed up to the Wildlife Trusts’ “12 Days Wild” campaign?
12 Days Wild is a festive nature challenge, encouraging you to do one wild thing a day from the 25th December to the 5th January each year.
We thought we would give you some ideas on what you could do in Seaford to meet your challenge! We would love to hear your ideas too.
We would love to know what you have done in your 12 Days wild, please share your stories and photos on our facebook page!
Happy New Year!
From On the Verge and Seaford Environmental Alliance
Day 1 -25th December – festive trees and shrubs
How about walking off your Christmas dinner with a stroll in one of the many lovely places in Seaford? Could you try and spot some festive vegetation. For example have a look for holly and ivy (both fantastic plants for wildlife). You might even spot some mistletoe.
Find out more about holly in this Trees for Seaford update
Day 2 – 26th December – brilliant birds
Today get outside look and listen for some birds. Wherever you walk you will almost certainly see or hear the beautiful song of a festive robin. They are very vocal this time of year, such a cheering sound.
If you head out into the nature reserves, do take binoculars and look out for less common birds. In recent weeks, long billed dowitcher, and long tailed ducks have been seen at Cuckmere and great crested grebe in Newhaven. Groups such as Seaford Natural History Society and the Sussex Ornithological Society often have guided walks for members.
Tina often spots a family of swans and kingfishers between Piddinghoe and Newhaven, and oystercatchers and turnstones on the beach. Judy likes the rock pipits and pied wagtails at Splash Point. What have you seen?
If you are unable to get outside, how about planning some bird boxes for Spring. You could even get a swift box – find out more from Save Seaford’s Swifts.
Day 3 – 27th December – Cold Moon star gazing
Today is a full moon (known as the Cold Moon) so try a stroll in the moonlight, looking at the stars! This can be as early as 5pm at the moment!
Did you know that some creatures (even ones that hibernate) often creep out in the Winter for a day or two to feed and then return to a roost? This includes bats and hedgehogs. Badgers don’t really hibernate and even if you don’t spot them you can often see evidence of their scrabbling around in verges and green spaces for worms! Check the muddy edges for paw prints.
Day 4 – 28th December – bird ballet
Did you make it to a theatre over Christmas? You may be surprised to know that you can get a free stunning performance, by keeping an eye on the sky at dusk. Groups of starlings start to fly around. First in small groups, then joining others until the whole sky is full of a murmuration that seems to have life of its own, turning and swooping.
Eventually the whole flock will suddenly drop down to their preferred roosting site. After a bit more chattering and gossiping they will eventually quieten down and rest until morning. This performance is always more dramatic in Winter due to the larger number of birds around.
Day 5 –29th December – beach harvest
We are so lucky to live by the sea. Do go and do some beachcombing and see what you can find. Old bits of driftwood can be recycled into beautiful objects.
Cuttlefish shells are great as plant labels and shells make a pretty mulch for the top of garden pots.
If there have been storms, you often get seaweed tossed up on the paths and shingle. This is really useful in the garden to feed plants. Add it to your compost heap, or soak it in a bucket of water, where it will eventually turn into a nutritious (though rather smelly) liquid plant food.
Found rubbish on the beach too? Borrow a litterpicker from a cafe and tidy the beach.
There are regular litter picks arranged – check out:
Bhassexplore- Beachy Head And Seven Sisters Extreme Plastic Object Removal
Day 6 – 30th December – Leave only footsteps and take only photos
Get a new camera or phone for Christmas? Do get outside and start capturing some of the wonder of nature. There are lots of online courses on technique but the best advice I can give is always take your camera and have a go!
Take as many photos as you can, as you will soon learn what works and what doesn’t! Get as close to your subject as possible and fill as much of your viewfinder with the subject as possible.
Don’t forget you can turn your phone/camera round if the shot fits better that way.
Experiment with the settings e.g. macro for close shots, night settings for low light. We always welcome photos for the Renaturing Seaford website!
Day 7 – 31 December – reducing waste to save our planet
If you are clearing up after the festivities, make sure that you try and reuse, reduce and recycle your rubbish and unwanted leftovers. For example did you know aerosals and plastic bags can now be put in your blue bin? Check here
Be creative with leftover cards and wrapping paper. Unwanted gifts could be rehomed, and unwanted food may be welcomed by a foodbank or community larder (such as that at the Seaford Environmental Alliance Climate hub.)
Thinking about your new year resolutions and want to do more for the environment? Make sure you are on the mailing list for Sustainable Seaford, and Seaford Environmental Alliance
Day 8 – 1st January 2024 – join a national plant survey
Every year the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland run a nationwide survey of wildflowers in bloom. On the Verge are running our own New Year plant count in Seaford. If you want to come along, or learn more about this and other surveys you can find more information here
Day 9 – 2nd January – back to work, making nature part of every day
Are you back at work today? Don’t stop watching the natural world.
If you are on a train, put your phone or book down, and look at the window to see what you can see. You can often see wildlife in the undisturbed edges of the railway tracks, such as foxes on the closed platform at Bishopstone and birds along the trackside and in the flooded fields.
Can you have a short walk at your lunch break? Let us know what you see. Or write us a blog!
Day 10 – 3 January – call of the wild
Foxes are starting to come into season now, so if you listen out at night, you might hear some rather disturbing shrieks and calls! Squirrels too start their courtship routines in January, making them rather conspicuous chasing each other about! If you would like to learn more about the wildlife in Seaford, don’t miss the talk by Michael Blencoe in January, you can find out more and book your ticket here:
Day 11 – 4th January – Untidy gardens helping wildlife
Feeling the urge to start tidying up your garden? Try and avoid disturbing the ground and vegetation too much at the moment. Bumble bees are likely to be nesting in leaf litter and insects in seed heads and crevices. Instead, why not see if you can improve your garden for wildlife – for example adding food, water and shelter. If temperatures drop, then do make sure any bird baths etc are free of ice. More info on the Metre Square for wildlife page
Day 12 – 5th January – How to recycle your tree
Taking your Christmas tree down? Real trees can be chopped up and left in your brown bin for collection if you have one. You can also arrange for your tree to be collected by Martello Rotary club for a small donation.
Or why not reuse it in the garden. You could make a woodpile, or a dead hedge. Both of which are great for insects and other wildlife. An insect hotel is also a great project, giving shelter to lots of invertebrates essential for a healthy ecosystem.
Check out the Wildlife trust websites for some ideas