Looking after yourself and nature during the latest lockdown

Ben Watkins Churchtown Farm

Ben Watkins

Wildlife from home

Looking after yourself and nature during the latest lockdown

Cornwall Wildlife Trust's response to Coronavirus (updated Tuesday 5th January 2021)

We have reviewed Government guidance following the announcement of the latest nationwide lockdown in England. To play our part in stopping the spread of the infection in Cornwall and to take care of our staff and volunteers while continuing our work, we have made the following adjustments:

  • Our offices will remain closed to the public – please be patient when contacting us via email and phone while we work from home
  • Our nature reserves (with the exception of our Five Acres site and Looe Island) will remain open - when visiting these wonderful places please make sure you practice social distancing
  • Volunteering in groups will pause until further notice
  • Orders from our online shop will continue to be fulfilled once a week

Nature was an enormous comfort to many during the lockdowns of 2020 and we hope you find joy and hope from Cornwall’s wildlife and green spaces over the difficult weeks ahead. If you would like to show your appreciation of nature, please consider becoming a member or making a donation – your support will make a huge difference.

Take good care of yourself, make the most of the opportunities below and we look forward to the day we can see you face-to-face again!

Keeping connected with nature while staying at home

In light of the latest national lockdown, maintaining a connection with the natural world is more important than ever to ensure we're taking good care of our health and wellbeing.

We know that people who spend time in nature are happier and healthier, but it can be difficult to know how to do this safely in the current climate.

Throughout the start of 2021, we will be updating this page regularly so you can get your wildlife fix from home! Sign up to our newsletter, below, and we will email you with regular updates, tips, actions, videos and images to help you maintain a connection to nature.

Hedgehog

Things to do

There are still lots of ways that you can help wildlife during this time. We've got some brilliant activity sheets to download. If you do try any of these, please share with us on social media. We'd love to see!

Video

Videos to watch

Throughout 2020, Cornwall Wildlife Trust projects adapted their programmes due to social distancing restrictions, with many offering videos and live streams as an alternative to what would have otherwise been in-person events. We will be adding to this selection of videos throughout this lockdown.

Rays around the Cornish coast

Penwith Landscape Partnership - Carn Kenidjack 360 degree video

Nick shows you how to make a hedge whistle - a swazzle!

Spring-time trees in West Cornwall

Matt, from the marine team, shows us how to press seaweed

Jenn, from Your Shore Beach Rangers, hosts a live shark Q&A

Catsharks of Cornwall

What can you eat in the garden?

Seasonal sharks - beautiful sharks in Cornwall's waters

Breakfast with a seal!

Photographing and studying Cornish Seaweeds With Michiel Vos

What is Seasearch and what is its impact so far?

Where do sharks go and how do we know? with Haley Dolton

Spring wild flowers in the lanes of Penwith

Hoverfly

Things to read

Curl up in the warm and read some of our recent blog posts.

Bee

Things to see

You don't have to go far to see wildlife. Even looking out of your window or standing in your garden can give great opportunities for nature spotting!

Feeder

Things to make and do as a family

Crafts and activities can be a great way of keeping busy as a family whilst still connecting with wildlife in your home and garden.

Click the images under each heading to download a printable worksheet.

How to identify bees

Bee Identification Sheet

Bee Identification Sheet

Make a simple hedgehog house

Make a bird feeder

Make a garden wigwam

Make a butterfly feeder

How to make a homemade bird hide

How to build hidey holes

Make a butterfly feeding table

How to go pond dipping

How do you go pond dipping

How do you go pond dipping

Wildlife worksheets for homeschooling

Wildlife worksheets for homeschooling

Cornwall Willdife Trust supporter, Caitlin, created these wonderful Wildlife Worksheets for those who are currently homeschooling. Answers to the questions can be found in issue 141 of Wild Cornwall or by searching online. Let us know how you get on!

Wildlife Worksheets - Hedgehogs

Wildlife Worksheets - Insects and things that eat them

Wildlife Worksheets - Insects and things that eat them