Easy ways to stay connected to nature and the outdoors from your home
We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, which is why we're here to help you stay connected to the BBC Countryfile Magazine online community, and find ways to enjoy nature from your home, garden and local area.
The Corona virus or Covid-19 pandemic crisis has marked a huge changed in our way of life. Whether that’s working from home, social distancing, social isolating, home-schooling children or caring for others in your local community, it can feel a scary and lonely time for many.
For those of us who love the outdoors, visits to the countryside, walking in beautiful places and holidaying in the wild outdoors are no longer possible. With the government announcing a UK lockdown, other than one daily exercise or shopping for essentials, there has never been a more important time to connect with others digitally and appreciate the nature on your doorstep
We understand that this is a difficult time for everyone, which is why we’re here to help you stay connected to the BBC Countryfile Magazine online community, and find ways to enjoy nature from your home, garden or local area, plus we share our pick of the best podcasts, crafts and recipes to do at home.
You can get in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or drop us an email if you’d like to say hello or share ideas.
We’ll be updating this page regularly, so please keep checking back for new content.
Celebrate spring
If you’re able to get outside for a local walk during your daily exercise, enjoy the signs of spring and take a moment to appreciate the nature found on your doorstep.
- Join #BlossomWatch and celebrate blossom in the UK
- Celebrate spring with the glorious song of woodlarks
- Spring wildlife guide: how to identify and where to see
- Join the nation in writing about the first day of spring
Enjoy wildlife in your garden
With spring underway and warmer temperatures, there’s more wildlife to see in your garden, or locally during your daily exercise. See how many different species you can spot and enjoy seeing spring wildlife come to life.
- Guide to British butterflies: how to identify and the best places to spot
- British beetle guide: where to see and how to identify
- Discoverwildlife.com is a hive of fascinating wildlife – both UK and overseas
Chat with family and friends in nature using RSPB nature reserve Zoom backgrounds
From lighthouses to lakes across all four countries, the RSPB has released 15 free images of its nature reserves for people to use as Zoom backgrounds.
Once downloaded, the RSBP is asking people to share a screengrab with the hashtag #NaturePhotoBomb to celebrate nature and the outdoors – even if you have to stay at home. These images are free to download, via rspb-images.com/Respages/FreeImages
Garden projects
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, or even a window box, now is the perfect time to devote more time to gardening.
- Best spring plants for pollinators
- Sow seeds in eggshells
- How to be a green gardener
- Make a green roof on a shed
Make nature arts & crafts with your children
Find a daily fun craft project or outdoor nature activity for children to enjoy in the home, garden or in your local area during the Coronavirus pandemic.
- How to make a leaf print butterfly
- How to make a mini egg box garden
- Make a stick family using natural materials
See easy craft projects and outdoor nature activities for children to do at home
Improve your nature identification skills
- How to identify spring blossom
- April foraging guide: best foods to find and recipe ideas
- Wild garlic guide: where to find, how to cook it and recipe ideas
- British seasonal wildflowers guide: how to identify, when to see and where to find them
- Guide to British butterflies: how to identify and the best places to spot
Listen to podcasts
Make the most of your extra spare time to listen to some of the interesting wildlife, nature and science podcasts freely available. This handy BBC Wildlife Magazine guide, explains how to listen to podcasts.
Don’t forget to tune into the BBCCountryfile Magazine ‘plodcast’
In each episode of the BBC Countryfile Magazine podcast, we go on a great escape into beautiful landscapes where we look for great wildlife, explore curious historic sites, meet interesting rural people and discuss the big issues affecting the countryside.
Catch up on each season and enjoy a countryside escape
The podcast is available on Acast, iTunes, Apple Podcasts and most major podcast apps
Science
From the inner workings of the human brain to how we’ll conquer space, tackling climate change and better understanding the animals and plants around us – the Science Focus Podcast is the best place to make sense of the big issues of our time.
History
HistoryExtra podcast comes out three times a week, featuring interviews with notable historians talking about topics spanning ancient history through recent British to American events. Episodes feature history stories and perspectives on everything from crusading knights to Tudor monarchs and the D-Day landings.
Spot birds from your window
RSPB
The RSPB has set up the #BreakfastBirdwatch, a daily hour on weekdays between 8-9am where supporters and the wider public can share photos and videos of their garden birds. There will also be different species and themes to focus on, such as drawing and poetry.
The Self-Isolating Bird Club
TV presenter, author and naturalist Chris Packham has set up The Self-Isolating Bird Club on Twitter and Facebook, so that birdwatchers can share their local sightings virtually.
- Garden bird guide: how to care for birds and what to feed different species
- Robin guide: where to see and how to attract robins to your garden
- Guide to Britain’s tit species: how to identify and where to see
Take a virtual escape to the countryside
We’ve started a new Virtual Escapes series to help you enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of your home and provide a bit of inspiration for future trips.
In the first in the series, experience the sights and sounds of spring in the countryside with our stay-at-home guide to the most beautiful hills in the UK.
- Virtual escapes: Britain’s most beautiful spring hills
- Virtual escapes: magnificent waterfalls and crashing cascades
- Virtual escapes: magical woodlands and forests
Craft ideas to make at home
Here is a selection of relaxing craft projects to make from your home.
- How to make a bee house
- How to make pressed leaf and flower artworks
- How to make leaf-pressed coasters
Recipes – baking ideas
Make the most of being at home by baking tasty treats to enjoy with a cup of tea and a good book.
Stay well, stay home
BBC Countryfile Magazine has always shared great walks and holiday destinations with readers and website visitors – it’s a key part of our mission. But we cannot do that for now – it would be irresponsible. We ask all readers and web visitors to adhere strictly to Government advice on travel, social distancing and personal hygiene. If you are feeling unwell, please visit the NHS website or call ‘111’ for medical advice.
Read the full letter from BBC Countryfile Magazine editor
We all have to be responsible, think about others and follow expert advice.
There are some basic rules we can all follow:
- Make only journeys only for essential supplies.
- We are now only allowed out of our properties for exercise once a day.
- Practise social distancing at all times – be at least 2m from every person you meet on a walk
- Avoid touching stiles and gates if you can.
- Thoroughly wash your hands before and after each walk
Authors
Carys is the Group Digital Editor of countryfile.com and discoverwildlife.com. Carys can often be found trail running, bike-packing, wild swimming or hiking in the British countryside.
