#30DaysWild Day 3!

Treated myself to a nice and cosy night in for my challenge today! (Probably the only perk of feeling less than 100%!)

A few months back I spotted a mysterious bird meandering down the river, disappearing and then reappearing some few meters away. Now, I feel the need to produce a disclaimer before I go any further, I am not, by any means a bird expert, heck I'm probably totally wrong! But either way, I am trying to educate myself.

Right, where even was I ... ah yes, I was stood, lingering, waiting to spot it come back up. I was totally transfixed, a bird that I had never spotted before, on the same patch of river I had walked for months beforehand, and the only identification I have been able to come up with, is that it may be a Goosander! Here's the very few pictures I've managed, and the quality is absolutely awful, but you're just gonna have to deal with it! (Roll on the day I can afford a decent camera for myself!)

Do you guys agree? If not then pleasssse get in touch with me! I need to know what this beautiful bird is!

Regardless of what it is, I thought I would teach myself a few things about the Goosander anyway. It's Latin name is Mergus Merganser and it is a sociable bird (although I have only ever seen one of them, BUT it does hang out with all the swans and geese? does that count!?) It tends to nest in upland rivers, nesting in tree holes and crevices. The call of the Male can be determined by a low pitched croaking, whereas a harsh 'karr' sound and cackle with determine the female.

I may not have jumped in some cool puddles for my challenge (some of the things I have seen people doing have been amazing!) but I learnt myself a few new things!

Stay Wild Folks!
x

Day 1 & 2! #30DaysWild

I still don't think I've gotten over the excitement of this challenge, I mean you wouldn't think I was an adult or anything! For Day One I sat down with a hot cuppa (and too many chocolate digestives to admit), and caught up with this years Springwatch! Once again this year they are filming from the RSPB Minsmere Reserve, down on the East coast of England. That place looks absolutely astonishing! That's definately going on my big old 'to do' list! This year, for the first time. they have managed to cam a Golden Eagle nest! (and yes, you know it's just as amazing as you think!) You can actually watch the live webcams live by clicking this link right here!

For Day Two I sat out on my front step to enjoy my first coffee of the day! (We all know that's the most important one) I let the cold air wake me up slowly, the sweet sound of birdsong filling my ears. This is the exact reason why this 30 day challenge is so amazing, it isn't about scaling the highest mountain you can every day. it's about consciously opening up your life for nature, and it's the small things that make that big difference! It didn't take long for my joyful meditation to be interrupted by my poor herb garden in desperate need of a watering - but I am really happy with how everything is growing! (Except for the Thyme, honestly letting the team down!) You should check out my 'National Gardening Month' post to see what it looked like before!

Sweet Pea, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme and Chives! 

Admit it, you wish you had slippers as cool as mine! 

The Wildlife Trust Challenges You!

I quite literally cannot believe that June will be arriving tomorrow, where on earth is the time going!? But we all know (at least I hope we do! Where have you been, under a rock!?) that June signifies the 2nd year of the 30 Days Wild Challenge! Last year I was an official blogger, and well, you may remember that I was utterly rubbish at keeping you guys updated (Oh haha, who's surprised let's be honest!)

Anyway, completely ignoring the obvious shortcomings of the writer, lets see what this is actually all about.

So why? Well, The Wildlife Trust is challenging you to do something wild EVERY SINGLE DAY for June, pretty simple right? Actually, it is! You can go to this link here  to find out alllll about it, but I am going to attempt to document everything I do, every single day! I have compiled a very basic ideas of some of the things I want to do this month, I haven't quite got 30, but that leaves me room for some spontaneous adventures! (All subject to change, I mean who knows, anything could happen!)

1. Create a wild decorate mobile 
2. Create a wild home (I did this last year - but its stuck on a wall up in Scotland!) 
3. Picnic in the wild! 
4. Meditate in the wild 
5. Organise a community litter pick 
6. Find all the colours of the rainbow
7. Search for mini-wilderness 
8. Sketch up close 
9. Write a wild poem 
10. Enjoy a sunset 
11. Take a dusk walk 
12. Watch the sunset 
13. Make a weather chart for the month! (I'm pretty excited about this one!)
14. Volunteer! (I have email my local Scout group!)
15. Explore the Wyre Forest 
16. Finally go visit an RSPB Reserve! (I have an extra free pass if anyone is interested ;) )
17. Bake for nature
18. Discover some urban wilderness
19. Write to a local magazine
20. Paint a wild landscape 
21. Read some wild poetry 
22. Go to a nature Art exhibition 
23. Join a local walking group!
24. Go Birdwatching 

So, there we go, I will be documenting my adventures on this blog, my twitter account (@WildWarriorBlog) and on my instagram account! 

Stay Wild!

Tayla

Devil's Spittleful

If I could sum up today's walk in one word it would definitely be: RAIN. I set out at midday and I was soaked through by one o'clock. It was today that I rigorously questioned whether or not I was crazy, or just really stupid. (the answer I settled on was both)

So I set about on finding the 'Devious Devil' series of Caches, starting adjacent to the West Midlands Safari Park. Taking a wooded path behind the Safari Park's fencing was quite exciting, although I couldn't see any baby kangaroos through the chain-link. I found these caches pretty easy to find, which I was very thankful of because the miserable weather was quickly turning my mood sour! For each log that I found and signed, there had been two other names signed on this very same day. Although I didn't come across a single soul whilst I was out.

I came home with 7 Finds, and 3 DNFs, although I didn't log any of these as I know I didn't do a thorough look, so I will be going back soon to have a proper rummage! I also didn't go up to the top of Devil's Spittle Rock, I really just wanted to keep trudging along to get home. But I will be sure to go back very soon. (When it isn't raining hopefully!) But either way, the surrounding nature reserve was a beautiful sight, even in the gloomy settings. I can't wait to go back and take my time there.

Calluna - Common Heather

I have given myself a little research project (don't you just love the word project!) Anyway, I want to educate myself of Heathland habitats before I go back. So I can truly understand and appreciate the habitat when I am there, and this is something I would like to do before I go to any new area. I want to learn, not just observe. I think it would also be pretty cool to share these findings as maybe 'Idiots Guides' mhmm, that'd be pretty cool!

Devils's Spittleful Nature Reserve 

A few things I learnt from today's Geocaching adventure: 

1. I really need to buy a small first aid kit, just in case!
2. I really need to bring a small hand towel, signing logs with wet hands is not ideal!
3. I should buy a pair of weatherproof gloves. 
4. My iPhone doesn't do great in the rain ... (shocker) 

Random Acts of Kindness

So here it is, my list of some of the random acts of kindness I am going to try to accomplish this June!

1. Make a bug hotel
2. Plant some bee friendly plants 
3. Learn a new skill 
4. Visit somewhere new
5. Do a nature sketch
6. Go pond dipping
7. Watch the sunrise
8. Hug a tree 
9. Follow a bee 
10. Introduce a friend to nature 
11. Create a nature Pinterest board 
12. Go stargazing 
13. Learn some facts 
14. Make a bird feeder 
15. Make a paracord spider 
16. Take a friend Geocaching 
17. Scribble a poem 
18. Make a boat 
19. Lunch in the wild 
20. Feel the grass under your feet 
21. Hush in a hide
22. Investigate tracks 
23. Note sightings 
24. Buy a wild magazine 
25. Dance in the rain 
26. Tweet for the wild 
27. .....
28. ......
29. ......
30. .....

Have you guys got anymore ideas for me to fill in the last four? It would be much appreciated!!

All the best, 

The Wilderness Warrior 

30 Days Wild: Day One

So it's been a pretty soggy start to the 30 Days Wild Challenge!

What have you guys been up to?

Today I was meeting an old friend for lunch, so we went for a waterlogged walk around the town of Bridgnorth. Taking a moment to appreciate the local wild that is has to offer, and the breathtaking sea of green that historic towns are surrounded by.

So today I set myself the challenge of 'Introducing a friend to nature' because if you love something, you should share it!

But I will admit there is nothing better than getting home, jumping out of sodden clothes and putting the kettle on!

All the best,
The Wilderness Warrior