12 Days Wild

 

When I heard that The Wildlife Trusts were holding a winter wildlife challenge, 12 Days Wild, this year, I obviously had to take part. Despite it being advertised as a 'festive nature challenge' with suggestions such as recycling your Christmas tree or walking off your Christmas dinner in the woods I knew I could do many other things as we don't celebrate this time of year. 
I live quite a wild life to start with and of course, I have taken part in 30 Days Wild for the past 6 years (see some 30 Days Wild blog posts by clicking here!) so to have a similar 'challenge' to take part in during winter was fantastic...even if all of the activities listed below are things I would have done with or without 12 Days Wild haha. It's still cool to have these moments to spread the word of loving, protecting, appreciating, and connecting with our wild world. 

Here is how I spent my 12 Days Wild...

Day 1 - December 25th
Starting off this 12 Days Wild with a shot from my regular daily routine;
topping up the feeders, putting fresh water in the bird baths, and watching the birds from the window.


Day 2 - December 26th
Cloud watching and spotted some Cloud Iridescence?

Day 3 - December 27th
We took a walk to a local Bay, just around 2 miles down the coast from our favorite Marsden Bay.
We were lucky to see so much wonderful wildlife including; Curlew, Oyster Catcher, Cormorant, Redshank, Turnstone, and a Kestrel!
See lots more photos from this little adventure here > Exploring Whitburn Coastal Park & Finn's Labyrinth

Day 4 - December 28th 
It rained again today so I stood outside, with my face to the sky and eyes closed to let the raindrops hit my face. People hate rain but they forget how only a few short months ago it was so hot and all the greenery was turning brown due to a lack of rain. Water is life. It's incredibly important and we take it for granted the amount we use on a daily basis, so I like to appreciate it often. 
A related blog post you may enjoy > 10 Ways to Save the Planet that Cost You Nothing

Day 5 - December 29th
A visit to St Paul's Monastery treated us to a magical sunset through the trees, a double rainbow and a river full of birds! Hugged a tree or two too. See a few more photos from this day here > 2022 Project 365 // Days 358 - 365

Day 6 - December 30th
After all the high winds overnight and today, I popped out to sort out the hedgehog lodge and attempt to shelter it a little more. There isn't anyone in it, but it's here for any that may need it. Hedgehogs shouldn't be out and about right now but with climate change and this stupidly mild weather the poor wildlife doesn't know whether it's coming or going.

Day 7 - December 31st
I don't know how wild others may deem this to be but the last few weeks are the least enjoyable time of year for me so I started a tradition last year of saving a pumpkin to carve for New Year. 
I chose a rabbit to represent the approaching Lunar New Year and Mr H made soup from the innards to eat on New Year's Day.

Day 8 - January 1st
I watched the first sunrise of 2023 standing atop an outcrop of rock in the sea at Marsden Bay.
I listened to the waves, felt the wind on my skin, and watched the sky change every second for about an hour. 
Before the sky began to light up I got to enjoy a little paddle and soak up the energies from the salt water. 
I posted all of the photos I took in another blog post > The First Sunrise of 2023

Day 9 - January 2nd 
Today I read Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave.
A powerful, beautiful, important piece of art that shines a light on such poignant issues. Climate change and animal welfare are topics I feel very strongly about and are admittedly what made me pick up this book (as well as obviously adoring Julia and the Shark! ), however how migration, country borders and unjust laws affect the lives of so many humans fitted in impeccably in this heartwrenching journey. The parallels made between the journey of Miso, and that of Laila and her Mum are an incredible way to include a younger audience in the conversation about how we should all be able to freely choose where we want to safely live and that'' no one is better than anyone else because of where they are born. *''. The artwork, layout and pacing in this book brings you wonderfully into the story. I recommend everyone read this. Read it and learn to care. To stand up for what is right and make a change to protect our planet, its animals and the people who live on it. *quote from the Authors Note.

Day 10 - January 3rd
I'm so glad to have been able to visit my hometown during 12 Days Wild and share some photos from my beloved River Tweed and some of the birds that live there (in the photos are Golden Eyes, Cormorants, Rock Doves and Mallards) as well as get some close-up shots of a stunning Wagtail at the Town Hall.

Day 11 - January 4th
Another crafty activity and I carved a lino print of a Raven!

Day 12 - January 5th
A really cool way to round out this little challenge was something that was actually a happy accident!
I booked tickets to Coal and Ice, an ice sculpture trail around Woodhorn Mining Museum shining a spotlight on climate change, long before I heard of 12 Days Wild and I think it ended up being a perfect way to end it. 
I will have a blog post to come with lots more photos of all the ice sculptures but I will say it was a poignant exhibition and I hope it made some people think about what is happening to our precious planet and what they can do to combat it. 

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In the blink of an eye, it's all over. Those 12 days flew by which I feel is a stark reminder of time in general and how little of it we have. Both for ourselves on this planet and for humanity to save what they can of our natural world. 

As always I'll ask you to please make a small change in your life.

Whether it's reducing, reusing and recycling, cutting down your emissions, or going vegan!

Do what you can to help combat climate change, save our wildlife and protect our planet.