#30DaysWild - Week 1 — Laura Richardson

As expected, I was unable to do another blog on the day of doing, but I’m happy to report this has let me make a great start on my Less Screen, More Green plan! A little less expected - This is being posted a week late! Oops! In any case, here is a re-cap of my first #30DaysWild week. To find out what I got up to on day 1, and what my aims are for this challenge, click here.

Day 2 - Listen

The world is a chaotic place at the best of times, and even though most of us are still spending most of our time in our houses, the noise today sounded louder than ever. Early in the morning I took some time to find a quiet spot by the local reed-beds, at the end of a fishing platform. Here I sat, and I listened. Straight away I noticed all the noisy thoughts that filled my head!

Using a meditation technique, I acknowledged these thoughts as they popped up, accepted them, and then moved my attention back to the present, external sounds all around me. My breath was the first sound I noticed, and it naturally deepened the longer I sat. I closed my eyes and listened.

Beyond my breath, I heard the tinkling sound of young long-tailed tits somewhere in the trees behind me. From my left came the soft coo-coos of a wood pigeon. At on point i head the flapping wings of a duck, and opened my eyes to see a male Pochard flying from right to left near the surface of the water, i't’s stunning copper head gleaming in the morning sun.

There were other birds too, warblers, sparrows, and others that I didn’t recognise. I was only there for a handful of minutes, but those moments with just nature and myself really set me up for a day where listening was so, so important.

Day 3 - Running in the Rain

Finally after weeks of just sun, we’ve had some rain in Dorset! I’ve never understood the UK’s hatred of rain, or maybe 2 years living in Asia made me appreciate the coolness, and non-monsoon nature of our weather. The rest of nature certainly doesn’t mind it! In fact I bet this came as a huge relief to the plants particularly.

I love how the world looks when it rains - especially by the coast! Sure, beaches and cliffs look glorious in the sun, but there’s nothing quite like seeing ominous, dark clouds over an epic, moody looking sea (bonus points for crashing waves!).

Day 4 - Sketched a Shell

It was a busy day, a tiring day, and I didn’t have much energy for anything at all! A simple sketch was a welcome half and hour or so of getting lost with a tiny bit of nature.

Day 5 - Spying on the Neighbours

Usually when I head out for a walk I head to either the coast or one of the local nature reserves, and usually I take the scenic route. Not today! I switched things up and instead wandered around the streets near my house.

Here’s what I found:

30dayswild week 1-5.jpg — Mr Pigeon, one of the local regulars

30dayswild week 1-4.jpg — I’ve been watching this nest for a month or so, and I was so excited to see a chick finally appear! I look forward to seeing how it progresses.

This is a nest on a neighbouring street. At first glance it may seem like an awkward place to park your home, but I’ve come to see how genius it is! The chicks nearly always have shade, are shielded from wind, and are also protected from any flying predators too!

Meanwhile this one seems much more risky and exposed! Plus the road below is quite busy. I wonder how these chicks will fair?

Not just birds! These plants have found themselves a home up high.

Again avoiding the typical scenic route, my walk took me through the towns industrial area. I had so much fun photographing the birds in this one bit of path!

Day 6 - Followed some feathers

It started with collecting a few feathers for a little side project I’m doing… it turned into accidentally tracking a trail of them! I found 2 potential “kill” sites, each a different bird species (I think pigeon and mallard but not sure). One of which led into a very telling-sized hole through a hedge! I think I’ve found the entrance to the fox’s lair.