How to Effortlessly Help Wildlife

Greetings once again dear blog-readers and welcome to another instalment of the greatest blog ever written*.

(i) Official sources have stated that this might be true.

We may be in the depths of lockdown 2.0 but at least we’re allowed outside for a bit longer than last time. Last Sunday, I decided to have a nice quiet walk around a nearby park and just soak in all the green naturey goodness. Instead, I was greeted by hoards of dog walkers and pushchairs. Even outside of social distancing, it’s difficult to appreciate nature when flocks of humans trample past. In a park that was teaming with wildlife, most people turned a blind eye to what was around them and were more concerned with cappuccinos and Christmas shopping.

And, it made me think. It's not the first time that I've been out with my camera and received weird looks for showing an interest in wildlife. This notion that my intrigue is somewhat uncomfortably obscure is, to me at least, unfathomable. This could be a generalisation but the average member of the public probably doesn't care about wildlife. It’s not the end of the world that, but just think if everyone stopped, looked and listened to the outdoor world, it would make a huge difference. You don’t have to be a binocular bridled bird nerd to care about the environment, we can all play our part. Similarly, we don’t all need to chain ourselves to trees or sabotage a fox hunt, it’s more straightforward than this.

Want to help wildlife without even really thinking about it? Here are some minimal ideas that ought to help you get there.

1. Respect their space

This logic can be applied to anyone walking down the street to avid photographers - just leave them be. Humans are the most destructive, dominant and dangerous living creature to have ever walked the Earth and yes, that includes you. The natural world hates our guts and it’s probably due to all the terrible things we’ve done to it. In light of this, not getting up all in their grill is probably best. Ecosystems are fragile enough without everyone stomping all over it. In a year where we’ve learned to appreciate each other from a distance, do the same for nature. Keep to paths, keep dogs are controlled as possible and generally, don’t be an idiot.

2. Feed them (correctly)

As our wildlife is yet to discover their own supermarkets, the significance of food and water in their lives is massive. When habitats have shrunk and food webs have been shattered, we can certainly lend a hand by giving them that extra bit of aid. However, as with most food, it must be healthy and in moderation. I’m not saying there’s a pigeon obesity crisis but if we want to optimise health, it’s important we don’t give them junk. The worst offender? Bread. To be clear, a few crumbs here and there isn’t apocalyptic but given the way so many people lob whole loaves into ponds, they’re like a crusty ticking time bomb. Not only is it incredibly unhealthy but it can wean wild birds away from natural food sources, as well as cause water pollution. Seeds, grapes and peas will do just fine, anything but bread! In the same token, make sure you leave enough wild food out during Autumn. Blackberries and apples make a great pie but when they’re in your fridge and not on a hedge, that can make a lovely starving blackbird. You don’t need every last bit of fruit, so leave some for the birds.

3. Be less trashy

Litter. The age-old enemy of any avid environmentalist. The consumable world we live in means waste is unavoidable but what is not excusable is the misuse of this rubbish. The height of laziness is not being able to carry a banana peel or a crisp packet. As soon as it’s on the floor, it’s not your problem, right? Well, when it flies off into a water supply, down a drain, into the sea and into a turtles belly, then it might just be a problem. The outdoors is not one big landfill. Be that one annoying friend and carry a bottle home to be recycled. Bag it all up and make sure it’s binned correctly. If a bin's overflowing, don't stuff it in there like a jumbled wardrobe, take it home with you. Don’t just assume someone below you should sort it, it’s not a feudal system. This logic requires such painfully minimal effort and costs nothing, but it’s still one of the biggest issues plaguing the planet today.

4. Embrace what you don't know

Ever wandered past a fungus that you didn’t know the name of? Or not been able to decipher one gull from another? We’ve all been there, but the most important part is being curious and engaging with learning more. Simply accepting that you can’t be bothered to learn about something new is pretty ignorant. Questioning the world around you is an absolutely minimal and even pointless thing to get fired up about, but if you share your knowledge and it sparks engagement in someone else, off goes that butterfly effect. A wider environmental consciousness in society is not a bad thing and should be actively encouraged. It’s better that then wrongly telling your friends that a coot is a duck. It swims, doesn’t it? Look beyond the steps ahead of you, shut your mind off to your immediate reality and you will discover sights, sounds and smells that you never first realised were all around.

There are of course plenty of more elaborate ways to be a gold star wildlife saviour but we’ll take baby steps for now. Next time you’re out and about, have a second thought about the ecosystems that surround you. It honestly doesn't take much effort, trust me.

Adios...