As the world shuts down around us the uplifting role that wildlife plays in our lives becomes more vital than ever. So, for my own sanity, I’m going to keep a daily diary of what I find around my garden.  Photograph the wildlife you can see from your window or in your garden and post your pictures on the Sussex Wildlife Trust Nature Table page or to https://www.facebook.com/groups/525011657840898

Day Five

Back in January I was planning on driving down to Devon to visit my mum for Mother’s Day.  However, what I foolishly didn’t factor in to my plans was the possibility of a global viral pandemic.

The spread of the virus is starting to accelerate now. I had a phone call yesterday – a friend has tested positive for Covid-19. It’s distressing news but something I’m going to have to get used to hearing in the coming weeks. My parents have shut themselves indoors and are keeping safe. I’m really impressed with how calm and sensible they’re being about all this. One less thing for me to worry about.

I posted my mum a card (and some toilet paper) instead. 

I’ve had a load of nice comments this week about these daily diaries, thank you to everyone who has messaged me. It’s nice to know someone’s actually reading them.

Wildlife has always given me comfort, hope and inspiration and I hope you can also find some time each day to listen to some birdsong or stare at a seagull and take your mind off things, even if just for a few minutes.  So, as long as my luck and my lungs hold out, I’ll keep staring, listening and writing. 

The weekend’s sunny weather was uplifting and reassuringly spring-like – a real contrast to the unfamiliar difficult situation that we’re all in.

I’ve actually been enjoying my enforced isolation and I spent all weekend out in the garden, something I haven’t done for a long, long time.  As I’m going to be focussing on the wildlife in my garden in these diaries I thought now would be a good time to give you the guided tour.