Winter on Kilkhampton Common
As we approach midwinter, do not forget Kilkhampton Common is open 365 days of the year; a perfect place to visit to walk off your Christmas lunch!
Nature is in its dormant period. There is little outward growth, as all that energy focuses beneath the soil in roots and seeds, but this doesn’t mean there isn’t nature to be found. At this time of year, the evergreens take pride of place, from the ivy snaking across the ground and up the trunks of the leafless trees, to the yews lining the pathways in the parish churchyard, laden with their red berries.
During the Christmas holidays, why not take the family down to the Common and reconnect with local nature.
Winter Tree Identification
Age 6+
The leaves may have fallen (and we’ve been hard at work digging them from the water channels on the slope leading down to the Common) but do you know how to tell ash from oak just by its buds?
Download and print off a Winter Tree Identification sheet and see how many species you can find on the Common.
Winter Nature Hunt
Ages 3-5
Moss, fungus, squirrels, buds, lichen, pine cones… there is so much to find in the winter woodland. Download a Winter Nature Trail , the Winter Scavenger Hunt, or the Christmas Nature Trail and see how many you can find.
Bring nature to your garden
You may have noticed the minibeast hotel we made in the Common’s woodland area. Why not make a home for minibeasts to live in your garden?
Make a simple bird feeder from a toilet roll, peanut butter and birdseed.
A big thank you
With thanks to The People’s Postcode Lottery, Garfield Weston and The Co-Operative, we’ve been able to continue with general maintenance of the Common, and provide free children’s nature activities such as nature art, pond dipping and building a bug hotel.
The feedback from the children’s nature events has been overwhelmingly positive, which shows how important these events are, to show children the importance of preserving the countryside, as well as encouraging families to spend more time in the natural environment.
And as 2018 closes, we would like to wish our visitors, volunteers and funders a Merry Christmas, and hope to see you on the Common over the festive season and in the New Year.
Keep an eye on our social media pages and website for updates. We always like to hear from you. You can also donate to us, and all money goes towards the important projects being carried out.