When did you last spend time fully immersed in nature? Plenty of us enjoy walking in greenspaces, whether at our nearest nature reserve, in the countryside or along the coast. And we all appreciate the immediate physical and mental health benefits of this. But how many of us do these walks fully aware of our surroundings?
The presence of a smart phone in our pocket is a constant source of notifications ensuring we rarely fully switch off. Instant messaging, emails, phone calls and of course the urge to photograph and share our experiences on social media, mean that even with the best of intentions, a walk in a natural environment can lose some of its wellbeing benefits as we succumb to the lure of the digital device.
View from a walking trail with Poole visible through the trees at RSPB Arne Nature Reserve. (Photo: Sam Turley/rspb-images.com) We often read about the impact of screen time on young people but what about its impact on adults. Sometimes, even the apps that we use to help us learn about nature, can distract from the health benefits of the experience as we stand with phones open to identify birdsong, plants or animals. Although helpful for learning, imagine taking the occasional walk with a commitment to fully experiencing nature as it is, without seeking anything else other than simply being at one with the sights and sounds of the natural world around us.
Increasing evidence shows that a greater connection with nature can help combat low mood, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety. So, let's pledge to make May the month that we commit to experiencing nature in all its sensory glory without any digital distractions. For some, it might cause more anxiety to leave the phone at home, in which case put it on airplane mode at the start of the walk or switch it off if you can.
Looking up into the tree canopy at RSPB Arne Nature Reserve. (Photo: Sam Turley/rspb-images.com) By May the breeding season is in full throttle, with both resident and visiting birds busy pairing up and raising the next generation. Summer migrant species have returned, from swift and swallow to osprey and blackcap, the skies are alive with the sounds and sights of birds as they display their vocal skills and arial prowess to mates and rivals.
Hawthorn hedges are covered in masses of frothy white or pink blossoms and woodland floors are carpeted with spring flowers - especially bluebells. A walk through the woodland in May can be a full assault on the senses in the most wonderful way. Take the time to find somewhere to sit and indulge in a spot of 'forest bathing'; close your eyes and listen to the sounds of nature doing its thing. Tune into each of your senses, notice the scents in the air, the gentle breeze on your skin and the buzz of life around you.
Allow yourself time to rediscover the childhood curiosity of looking at simple natural wonders like the shiny shell of a beetle, the intricate veins of a leaf, the textures of bark on different trees, and the patterns of the tree canopies against the sky. Savour these precious moments of calm and fully immerse yourself in Dorset's wilder side.
Female nightjar sitting on nest site next to two hunkered chicks. (Photo: Ben Andrew /rspb-images.com) Guided Walks & Events
For those who prefer a guided experience through woodland trails, we are introducing monthly wellbeing walks at RSPB Arne. These will be gently led with a focus on fully experiencing nature will all your senses and switching off from any distractions, they will take place throughout the year.
We have lots of other exciting activities planned at RSPB Arne over the coming months including some night walks. If you watched BBC Springwatch last year you might have seen the gruesome spectacle of a nightjar eating one of her living chicks. Although we can't guarantee such riveting 'behind-the-cushion' viewing, we can guarantee a wonderful evening on the heathland as the sun sets and nighttime wildlife emerges. We start our walks with a round table supper in the onsite café before our expert guides lead you across the heathland trails in search of the reserve's creatures of the night. You might see bats swooping down from their tree roosts to feast on insects or hear the hypnotic churring of the nightjars.
If the thought of exploring RSPB Arne after hours excites you, then our special Big Wild Sleepout events in late July is worth considering. These take place in an area of the reserve usually closed to the public. We're offering two events this year, one for adults to enjoy the tranquillity of the reserve at night, and one for families and children of all ages. Past attendees have described the joy of lying in their tents serenaded to sleep by the churring of nightjars and hooting of owls before waking with the dawn chorus to watch the spectacular sunrise over Poole Harbour. A truly awesome and unique experience.