Where hope takes root. From snowdrops to shelter-building
February settles in, wrapped in grey skies and steady rain, yet something hopeful is stirring beneath the surface.
February settles in, wrapped in grey skies and steady rain, yet something hopeful is stirring beneath the surface. The first flowers of the year begin to push through. Snowdrops nod in the cool morning air and crocuses and early daffodils reassure us that spring is drawing closer.
Hope springs eternal - and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in children discovering the natural world. Their muddy boots and open curiosity carry the same quiet promise as those first snowdrops. Give a child a patch of earth, a fallen branch or a glimpse of something stirring beneath the leaves, and they will find wonder.
Wonderfully named Scarlet Elf Cap seen on Brill Common.
As a child, I was endlessly fascinated by the natural world. You were far more likely to find me knee-deep in mud hunting for worms or constructing dens, than inside four walls. Forest School wasn’t available when I was young but Brill School offers sessions throughout the year, some at the Hollow on the edge of Brill Common, where I joined a Key Stage 2 class this month.
Yellow Brain Fungus held by one of the Forest School children.
Led by the Two Hannahs*, the children focused on whittling wood, exploring - and the simple joys of sliding through mud and hauling themselves up slopes with ropes. They built shelters by weaving willow around hazel stakes and constructed ration lines - with varying degrees of success!
I showed them different types of fungi, encouraging them to look closely at the shapes, textures and colours often missed at first glance. We paused to listen to the woodland, tuning into birdsong and trying to identify the calls. Stories were shared about birds visiting garden feeders and animals spotted locally, each account weaving the group’s experiences into the wider landscape.
Whether working together as a team or scaling a slope independently for the first time, the joy and sense of achievement were clear to see. It’s a testament to the Two Hannahs, who support the children so thoughtfully. They bring enthusiasm and encouragement while stepping back just enough to allow space for mistakes so resilience can grow and real learning can take root.
Connecting children with the natural world is so important because they are the future custodians of these places. In their curiosity and care lie hope, much like the first flowers of Spring and their promise of brighter days ahead.
*Hannah Tuffley and Hannah Chisholm
PS Do let me know what events and activities you’d like to see happening on Brill Common! If you haven’t already done so, please complete my two-minutes survey.
Half-term family fun on Brill Common
Fiona has prepared a family activity sheet to get families out enjoying the common this half-term.
Fiona has prepared a lovely family activity sheet to get us out enjoying the common this half-term (and afterwards). Activities are divided into four age groups - including Grown-Ups - and they’re all inspiring, fun, and really do-able.
Here’s how to access the activity sheet:
Download a copy of the activity sheet (pdf opens in new tab) and print it at home or in a library
Pick up a paper copy from Constables Newsagents (from Monday but not guaranteed)
The stillness of January
January brings a natural pause, reminding me to slow down and notice winter’s understated resilience and the promise it holds.
January brings a natural pause, reminding me to slow down and notice winter’s understated resilience and the promise it holds. I’ve always had a fondness for this month - and not just because I celebrate my birthday (and, hopefully, a husband-funded dinner out!) - but also because the recent clear blue skies, hard frosts, and even snow make it the perfect time to observe wildlife and reconnect with the landscape.
Redwing; a Scandinavian visitor enjoying our wild fruit and berries. All the bird pictures in this month’s newsletter are from the brilliant RSPB website.
After time off over the festive period, my first week back at work has been up-lifting. By allowing space for stillness - listening carefully and observing closely - I’ve recognised bird calls I hadn’t heard in a long time, reminding me of the importance of patience in conservation work. Not everything is immediately visible. In conservation progress is often measured through careful observation over time, with results emerging gradually as consistent management takes effect.
So which species have piqued my interest this month?
I was first drawn to some high pitched reedy “tseep” calls from the treetops bordering the common. Using my trusty binos, I confirmed these to be flocks of Redwings (Turdus iliacus) the smallest of our thrushes and regular Winter visitors from Iceland and Scandinavia, here to feed on our fruit-laden trees and shrubs. Although Redwings are a gregarious species they’re very skittish and the flock will fly off as one when disturbed.
Lapwings are native to the UK and feed mainly on earthworms, leatherjackets, and insects and their larvae.
It was then I recognised another call; a distinctive “tow-ip” carrying across the adjacent fields. I peered over a gate and was thrilled to see a flock of around ten Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus). The Lapwing is a Plover species, instantly recognisable by its striking black crest and bold black-and-white underwings, clearly seen during their characteristic buoyant, tumbling flight. Lapwings breed and over-winter on arable fields and salt marshes. Although native to the UK, their numbers have declined significantly in recent decades.
What a New Year’s treat!
January reminds us that not all progress is visible or immediate. In the quieter months, when the land appears dormant, stillness becomes an essential tool - allowing us to listen, observe, and appreciate. It is in these moments of attention that connections are renewed, knowledge deepens, and hope quietly takes hold. This is the rhythm of conservation work, and one of the many reasons I love this work.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year, with time to notice nature, appreciate its resilience and renewal, and remain present in the landscapes around us.
Survey on Brill Common activities and events
I’d love to share Redwings, Lapwings and all the other wildlife on Brill Common with you - but how best to do this? I’ve got lots of ideas but I need to hear from you! Please take two minutes to complete my survey on this website and we’re start planning.