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This time of year can be a challenge to keep ourselves occupied or otherwise entertained, even more so during the lockdown. The good news is there are a number of activities we can do outdoors to help us overcome the winter blahs, and that promote environmental sustainability.
While under normal circumstances we may be too busy to notice the diversity of wildlife that surrounds us, COVID-19 has slowed the pace of some aspects of life so that you might find yourself having more time to get better acquainted with the greater outdoor neighbourhood.
To get an idea of who is living in your neck of the woods, try heading outdoors after a fresh snowfall for clues in the form of tracks. If you find some but aren't sure what made the impressions, try consulting the Canadian Wildlife Federation online to assist in your investigation. Not uncommon to roam our area this time of year are squirrels, rabbits, fox, mice, skunk, raccoons and on occasion deer or sometimes even moose. We can tell a lot about an animals behaviour by following its tracks.
Nature photography can be an enjoyable hobby and a useful tool to observe birds and mammals unique to our region. Pictures last longer than memory, are great for journaling and can provide greater detail than what we initially recall.
Of course in this day and age of technology there are several free apps, the most popular being iNaturalist, where we can upload pics to record, map out and identify sightings. Observational data is then shared to an open platform to assist the public, conservation agencies and scientific researchers. It's an interactive way to engage in and learn more about our ecosystem.
Discover the world of birding, once a niche pastime that's now experiencing a surge in popularity due to its accessibility and ability to enjoy at a social distance during lockdown. According to Swan Lake Outdoor Ed on Twitter, the benefits of birding include strengthening connections with nature, fostering curiosity, offering opportunities to practise patience and acceptance - not to mention it's a real aesthetic treat.
Some winter birds to look out for in our area are blue jays, cardinals, chickadees, nuthatches, grosbeaks, finches, sparrows, juncos and even the elusive snowy owl. Visit the library for books on aviary identification or you can reference any number of fantastic resources online such as Wild Birds Unlimited, eBird.org and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Some websites also have free interactive apps and live camera feeds such as Project Feederwatch that allow you to get incredibly up-close views.
If you want to attract birds, try providing them sanctuary in the form of a feeder or house. This will encourage their survival and increase the frequency of their visits.
If you're looking for a project, The David Suzuki Foundation (davidsuzuki.org) offers comprehensive step-by-step instructions on how to build a “fat block” bird feeder. You can get creative by upcycling materials from your blue box such as milk cartons and plastic bottles to offer food and shelter.
Note that the type of food you offer will attract certain types of birds. For example, cardinals prefer shelled peanuts and dried fruit whereas jays and woodpeckers are partial to sunflower seeds. Be sure to place a feeder or house a minimum of 5 ft from any windows. For extra measure, you can apply decal stickers to windows to help prevent collisions.
Winter can easily become a time of boredom and shuttering ourselves indoors, so it helps to be reminded that there's never been a better time to get outside to explore and connect with nature.
Lockdown restrictions have severely limited our entertainment options but if this steers us back to nature then everyone including our furry and feathered friends stand to win. Whether you make a point of taking regular nature walks, are inspired to become a birder or try your hand at nature photography, a world of possibility and real time entertainment awaits.
-- Submitted by Rosanna Shillolo, yoga instructor
