Winter Blues

vole-woman · #1 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 09:28 AM

I'm not claiming to have that Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I've definitely not been myself lately. I really hate the winter time because I can't get out as much, and when I do, everything wildlife-wise seems to have shut up shop.

Can anyone suggest a nice naturey activity I could get up to over December/January, to tide me over till my water voles come back again? What keeps ticking over during the coldest months? (I'm north Shropshire based, and live on the edge of a market town, if that's any help.)

I know I sound feeble, but that's the state I'm in at the moment.

StuartDH · #2 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 10:27 AM

I've always thought it might be good to spend winter finding out more about two things - the weather and the night sky!

There's plenty more of each during this time of year and if you can't beat 'em join 'em.

Stu

Hedge Witch · #3 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 10:32 AM

Do you like fungi? They seem to thrive when all else is failing. Weird things they are. Fascinating and colourful

Or bird watching? I know one or two species I'll be off to hunt down soon (not in a twitching way, but you know, in an innocent sort of "it'd be nice if I found one, but doesn't matter if I don't" kind of way). Just think about all those lovely Waxwings, Firecrests and finches on the move at this time of year.

Do you have a garden? Indoor planning can be good when the weather's bad. Feeding birds is almost essential - and so rewarding. And I'm going to collect wild flower seeds if I find them and leave them in pots outside for stratification. Can't wait to see what turns up. No doubt they'll appear on a forum in the future for ID.

Never let the weather put you off. Nothing nicer than to return to a warm house for a hot tea and some comfort food.

PMG · #4 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I'm not claiming to have that Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I've definitely not been myself lately. I really hate the winter time because I can't get out as much, and when I do, everything wildlife-wise seems to have shut up shop.

Can anyone suggest a nice naturey activity I could get up to over December/January, to tide me over till my water voles come back again? What keeps ticking over during the coldest months? (I'm north Shropshire based, and live on the edge of a market town, if that's any help.)

I know I sound feeble, but that's the state I'm in at the moment.

Yup! Snap! I don't think I've got SAD either as I have to be outside at work during the day so I'm not short of daylight - but definitely not been myself either - struggling to motivate myself - have got the 'oh what's the point' blues......... I keep telling myself that the 'point' is I'm not going to live forever so I need to get out - or in - or whatever and do a bit of something that I want to on a reasonably regular basis cos on one of these fine days I won't be here nomore.............. its not working tho!! My lust for life has lusted off somewhere............

To be serious I think the number of actual grey days might be affecting a lot of us - the sun yesterday here in the northwest was nothing short of marvellous and the colours were wonderful but unfortunately I had to work and indoors too............. I also think watching the miserable news or reading newspapers doesn't help either - getting down and frightened isn't a positive approach to anything and keep hearing and seeing bad stuff is bad for the pyschi..........

Anyway now I'm rambling - the thing I hang onto at this time of year is mosses and liverworts - by December many mosses are looking their greenest most lucious best and it can keep your mind occupied for hours at a time trying to identify them ......... then there's always lichens .......... or isn't life long enough?

At the moment I am going back thro my saved image discs and relieving memories of past finds and hols ......... a nice diversion - another nice diversion is spending hours looking thro other folks websites (and I wonder why I have a weight problem - really Pauline .........

)

Pauline

squishy · #5 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 10:42 AM

i know what you mean

it can sometimes get you down abit. maybe go to a local wildlife reserve that has a lake, and see some lapwings. that always cheers me up. its always nice to walk around and spot birds, as most of them are more active, because they have to work harder to stay wark and find food. i saw a little flock of long tailed tits yesterday and a huge flock of a mix of starlings and lapwings flew right over my head, and that cheered me right up

if none of that works, huddle up in a corner rocking back and forth, muttering 'spring will come, spring will come' etc.

sarah64 · #6 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 10:53 AM

I agree with you Pauline about the news and newspapers, sometimes too much information ain't good, so I try to avoid all that if I can.

Hey Vole-Woman, how about making stuff? Perhaps, if you're a bit handy with a hammer and some nails, knocking up some bee houses or beach combing is good for driftwood for making a bit of art if you're that way inclined or digital scrapbooking for your pics.

If none of that works, how about some rituals to bring back the sun.

I'll join in on that.

vole-woman · #7 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 11:33 AM

Aw, thanks for your cheery messages. I've been to the garden centre and bought some logs to make a log pile, and this weekend I might try and get some stones to make, er, a stone pile too (for things to hibernate in, I mean).

Also I've just had a grey squirrel in my garden, and I know they're pests and all but he's so funny and we've not had one round here before. I've stocked up the feeder big-time, anyway.

I like the idea of a bee house (bamboo lengths, isn't it that you use?).

If it's not raining this weeked, I might go out with my binoculars and see how many different birds I can spot.

Feeling better already.

thunder · #8 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

Aw, thanks for your cheery messages. I've been to the garden centre and bought some logs to make a log pile, and this weekend I might try and get some stones to make, er, a stone pile too (for things to hibernate in, I mean).

Also I've just had a grey squirrel in my garden, and I know they're pests and all but he's so funny and we've not had one round here before. I've stocked up the feeder big-time, anyway.

I like the idea of a bee house (bamboo lengths, isn't it that you use?).

If it's not raining this weeked, I might go out with my binoculars and see how many different birds I can spot.

Feeling better already.

If you have a log pile, try leaving some seeds near it - you may get Bank Voles and Wood Mice coming out to feed, even in the day time. And have you got a microscope? There is lots tio be seen under powerful magnification!

henrya

vole-woman · #9 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 12:28 PM

Ooh, I'd LOVE voles and mice.

Buying a microsope for my son this Christmas, so I might have a borrow of it!

sarah64 · #10 (**permalink**) 13-11-2008, 03:15 PM

I'm glad you are feeling more cheery now Vole Woman. As for the bee box, the bamboo sounds like a good idea. Anyhow I found this link for you with instructions on how to build a wooden one, which may give you some ideas.

http://www.devon.gov.uk/ndccs-beebox.pdf

The log pile sounds good. A place for lots of little critters to get.