Wildlife from your window

Wildlife from your window banner image

Nature is always there to support us.
Let's make sure we return the favour. 
 

In these challenging times you may not have been be able to visit your favourite nature reserve or travel far from home, but we'd like to help bring a little more nature into your life for your health, happiness - and for wildlife and the planet.

An increasing amount of us have turned to nature for solace, as wildlife carries on around us. Birds are continuing to serenade each other, trees are bursting full of life and mammals are busy in the midst of summer.

We've created a variety of wildlife-themed activities to help you to support wildlife and get your daily dose of nature during these difficult times, whether you have access to a green space or not, there's something for everyone.

Indoor activities
Outdoor activities
Craft activities
Wild London TV

Please feel free to share your wildlife encounters with us, we love seeing them.

 

 

indoor activities

Even in the most densely populated city in the UK there is still wildlife to be found in every corner.  If you don't have a garden or an outdoor space you can still learn about and support wildlife with our indoor activities below.

man watching a bird from his window

Ben Hall/2020VISION

Plant window boxes

A balcony filled with window boxes and hanging baskets

Pixabay

If you don't have a garden or outdoor space you can still attract wildlife by using window boxes.

Here's our simple guide to inviting wildlife to your windows

Plant window boxes

 

Bird watching

Find out what birds live near you with our urban birds spotter sheet.

You can find out more about what you see and identify any new sightings with our wildlife explorer tool.

Urban birds spotter instructions

Buy a window bird feeder

Blue tit on window bird feeder

Mathew Frith

Window bird feeders are an excellent way of watching birds close up without the need for a garden.

We recommend Vine House Farm bird feed for your feeder.

Whenever you buy bird food from Vine House Farm, up to 4.5% of the value of your purchase goes to your local Wildlife Trust. Make sure you mention London Wildlife Trust when you buy!

Vine House Farm Bird Foods has been working with The Wildlife Trusts for the past 10 years, helping to protect and restore areas for nature and inspire people to experience wildlife first-hand. To date, Vine House Farm’s donations have totalled over £1,250,000, including over £14,000 for London Wildlife Trust.

To find out more about Vine House Farm and to buy food direct from their conservation award-winning farm visit the Vine House Farm website. 

 

To find out more about the birds you spot, use our wildlife explorer tool

wildlife explorer 

Tree watch

What trees can you see from your window? Have you ever noticed them before? Take the time to identify them.

You can find identify what you see with our wildlife explorer tool.

Street tree instructions

Help birds avoid window accidents

Birds can sometimes struggle to navigate our urban world. Help them out by creating a window feature.

Help birds avoid windows instructions

Wildlife yoga

Work out wild style with these nature inspired yoga moves.

Wildlife yoga instructions

Make your own beeswax wraps

An eco-friendly alternative to cling film, these beeswax wraps will keep your food fresh and the planet happy.

Beeswax wraps instructions

Make your own binoculars

How to make your own binoculars

Make your own natural dye

Transform tired clothes with these natural dyes.

Natural dyes instructions
Outdoor Activities

Discover the wildlife living in your garden and how to support it with our wild garden activities.

Don't have a garden? See what wildlife you can spot out and about on your daily exercise walk.

You can find out more about what you find with our wildlife explorer tool.

Let us know if you have any questions about attracting wildlife to your garden on info@wildlondon.org.uk and we'll be happy to help!

 

stag beetle log garden

Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

Gardening for wildlife

There are over three million gardens in Greater London - 3,267,174 to be precise. That's an area of 37,942.09 hectares*.

In the face of climate change and habitat fragmentation, this massive expanse of green space has enormous untapped potential for both people and wildlife.

However, worrying research by London Wildlife Trust shows that London's gardens are changing from green to grey.

Garden greenspace in the capital's gardens has been lost at a rate of two and a half Hyde Parks per year - driven by recent trends in garden design.

Help reverse this trend and attract wildlife to your garden with these tips.

School group at Centre for Wildlife Gardening

Centre for Wildlife Gardening credit Magnus Andersson

Take action for insects

We are witnessing the largest extinction event on earth since the dinosaurs.
 

Insects are dying out up to 8 times faster than larger animals and 41% of insect species face extinction.  

This is a serious cause for concern - insects pollinate a third of our food crops, and are the main food source of many birds, small mammals and fish. Their demise impacts us all as well as our wildlife. 

Loss of insect habitats and overuse of pesticides are two of the major causes of this impending devastation. However, it is not too late to act.  

Starting right now, you can make small changes in your home, outdoor space and community that will help these fascinating creatures.

Get your free Action for Insects guide to learn how to create an insect-friendly garden alive with wildlife.

Take action for insects

Wildlife spotter sheets

Many butterflies and insects are in serious trouble; The State of the UK’s Butterflies 2015 report evidenced that 76% of butterfly species have declined over the last 40 years. A Wildlife Trusts 2019 report, Action for Insects, indicates that the abundance of insects in Britain may have fallen by 50% or more since 1970.

You can play a part in helping wildlife by submitting records of your garden sightings so that ecologists can keep a track of wildlife populations. Visit GiGl for more information and to download a recording spreadsheet.

Not sure which species are which?! Take a look at our wildlife spotter sheets below for guidance. 

Learn more about your sightings with our wildlife explorer tool

Find out what London Wildlife Trust are doing to boost London's butterfly populations

 

Butterfly spotter sheet

Stag beetle survey

male stag beetle on tree branch

Terry Whittaker/2020VISION

The stag beetle is Britain’s largest land beetle, almost 8cm in length, and is easily recognised by the male’s distinctive antler-shaped jaws. Although the male beetles look fearsome they are harmless to us. They use their massive jaws to wrestle with other males when looking for a mate.
 

Despite stag beetles being in steep decline across Europe, London remains a hotspot. If you do happen to see a stag beetle - perhaps you have them in your garden or you've seen one on your daily exercise walk - please help us track this globally threatened species by logging your sighting.

This will help researchers build up a clearer picture of the species and how we can conserve it.

Log your stag beetle sightings here

 

 

Get crafty

Explore your creative side with these wildlife themed craft activities

Child getting a butterfly facepaint

Sunitha Amos

Wild London TV

Learn more about the fascinating wildlife around you, hosted by London Wildlife Trust experts. 

KiW Filming Day in SHW

Credit Jamie Singleton

Wildlife Watch - London

London Wildlife Trust experts discuss nature topics and offer advice for how to look after wildlife.

A new video is uploaded every Friday.

 

Lizzie Daly Wildlife TV

Abi talks about the creepy crawlies hiding in your garden.

Sam Bentley Toon

Great North Wood project officer Sam talks about the fascinating subterranean world of earthworms. 

Did you know they have five pairs of hearts?! 

Sunitha Amos

Sunitha from the Brilliant Butterflies team demonstrates how to get up close to butterflies in your garden with a butterfly feeding table.

Find out more about the work we are doing to support London's butterflies here.

Nature Tots

Let your children find their wild side! Join us for Nature Tots LIVE.

Featuring storytelling and wildlife topics for little ones.Suitable for 18 month – 5 year olds

Tune in every Monday at 10.30am

Watch Nature Tots

Camera Trap

Peter Salter

A great spotted woodpecker trips the camera

Peter Salter

A fox strolls past the camera

Peter Salter

There's a party on the birdfeeder!

Peter Salter

Male great spotted woodpecker playing hide and seek

Peter Salter

A healthy looking fox having a nose around

Send us your photos

We love seeing and hearing about your wildlife discoveries, especially during this difficult time. Send us your wildlife sightings and we'll share the best ones here.

Email - marketing@wildlondon.org.uk
Twitter @WildLondon
Facebook @LondonWildlifeTrust
Instagram @wild.london

Please support London's wildlife

As you may have read already, London Wildlife Trust is currently set to make significant financial losses due to the impact of coronavirus. As a charity we are reliant on donations to continue working hard for wildlife. Please give if you can.

Donate to help London's wildlife

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