This was a fun badge to work on over the winter period. It helped me to get outside when the weather was dubious and appreciate nature during a cold and dark time – even if some aspects of the badge were made harder by doing them at this time of year!
Over a period of at least three months, monitor the changes to an area of at least ten square metres. Visit the area and make a record of any changes at least once a week.
I chose to monitor the changes outside my bedroom window. I saw the area slowly start to come back to life as the seasons changed from winter to spring, with buds spouting and birds singing.
Choose an outdoor area. Observe it for at least an hour. Identify different species of plants and wildlife in the area. Identify the impact which human activities have on this area.
I chose a spot in my local park, next to a pond, to do this clause. I saw several species of wildlife, including black-headed gulls, moorhens, Egyptian geese, stock doves, mallards, bluetits and a robin, as well as a few grey squirrels. The plants I saw included brambles, beech trees, rushes and dog roses.
While I was there I noticed: a male stock dove trying to seduce a female; doves and gulls engaging in what resembled gang warfare; and two moorhens chasing after a gull for some bread.
In terms of positive impact, humans built the pond and also maintain it. Visitors also feed the birds in the park. However, the food tends to be bread, which is not always the most nutritious. Humans also unfortunately drop litter in the park.
Learn how to use a tree identification key. Be able to identify at least ten different trees from your local area. Draw diagrams of what they look like in summer and winter.
I used the British Trees Tree ID app from the Woodland Trust to learn to identify trees – I wish I’d done this clause in the summer as it would have been much easier to identify trees from their leaves! However, I did manage to select ten trees, learn about them, and draw diagrams.
Be able to recognise at least ten different birds which live in your local area. Make a book to help a child recognise your ten chosen birds.
To prepare myself for this clause I went on a bird walk and survey in my local park. We saw a surprising number of species: robins, moorhens, black-headed gulls, Egyptian geese, mallards, pigeons, bluetits, green woodpeckers, jays, a dunnock, a nuthatch, a coal tit, a great tit, a wren and a goldcrest. Here is the link to my book about birds.
Be able to identify at least ten different types of flowering plants. Draw coloured diagrams of all ten plants.
I selected my plants and managed some diagrams, although drawing is not my strong point.
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For at least a month keep a daily record of the weather.
I kept a record of the weather during January.
Choose one of your completed weather records. Find a creative way to record your findings visually.
I chose the min/max temperature, made a graph from the figures, and drew a picture incorporating all of the points.
Take an hour to sit on a bench, or at a coffee shop table in a relatively busy area. Observe the world around you.
I decided to complete this clause while waiting for a train at King’s Cross station. I sat outside Gregg’s and observed my surroundings. I saw a pigeon preening itself on top of the departure board and was amused when it dived down directly in front of someone and gave them a shock! I also spotted some interesting outfits and wondered why everyone was carrying paper bags from Wasabi.
Date completed: 31 March 2024
