Signs of Winter

Although winter is often hard to enjoy due to the cold, dull weather, there are some amazing seasonal changes, beautiful nature and wildlife which thrive throughout the winter months. In this blog, we will share with you some of the most recognisable and beautiful signs of winter!

Here are the top 5 winter signs of winter, from flowers to wildlife, winter is such a beautiful time of year for so many reasons.

Seasonal Plants like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe – Winter evergreens provide a welcome touch of green in mid-winter. Holly is commonly used in festive, Christmassy wreaths to hang on your front door, Mistletoe is often brought into homes at Christmas for people to kiss under and Ivy is a great habitat for wildlife!

Snowdrops- From January lookout for these beautiful nodding, white flowers. You will spot them poking their way through the frosted soil of woodlands, churchyards, and gardens.

Winter wildfowl – During winter is when there are the highest number of birds and male ducks are at their brightest and have their best plumage of the year! Look out for huge flocks of migratory geese.

Starling Murmuration’s – During the winter, large numbers of starlings visit Britain from other countries because the climate here is warmer. The numbers can reach into the hundreds of thousands and the murmuration’s take on incredible shapes in the sky!

Tracks and footprints – Mud and snowfall provide a wonderful opportunity to study animal tracks. Look for the double slot tracks of deer, or the footprints of foxes, badgers or even an otter. Winter, even without snow, is the best time to find both these tracks as there are fewer plants to obscure tracks on the ground. With plenty of muddy areas and damp soft ground, you will have plenty of opportunities to practise your tracking skills.

Here is some other wildlife visible during the winter months…

Winter Birds

Throughout winter, we see many species of bird come and go from Kent, however, in areas like wetlands we see a growth in numbers of lapwing and black-tailed godwits. During the day, you may see newly arrived redwings and fieldfares feasting on hawthorn and rowan berries.

For more information on birds and migration throughout autumn and winter, head over to our Bird Migration blog!

Winter Mammals

Hedgehogs will be finding a safe and warm place to hibernate. You can help protect the hedgehogs throughout the colder month by building a hedgehog home.

Visit Knole Park in Sevenoaks, Kent to see deer’s shielding in the parkland or even catch a glimpse of deer rut’s, male deer rutting to attract female deer for potential mating.

Coastal areas in more isolated coves and beaches will be home to grey seals and their pups.

We hope you will fall in love with winter just as much as we are with all of this amazing information on winter wildlife and nature.

To make the most of the beautiful season of winter why not try out some of our hand-pick winter walks which give you the best opportunities to experience Kent in Winter!

When visiting any open space during winter, please bear in mind the current government restriction and keep safe and a 2-meter distant.