December in the Wild: A Guide to Seasonal Sights and Sounds
December can be a magical time, with Christmas on everyone’s mind and a winter chill that brings a glistening frosted glaze. It’s important to take time this festive period to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and break away from screens.
If you venture out in the early winter mornings or on a particularly chilly day, you will be met with a frosty wintery scene. Spiderwebs look particularly picturesque when covered in frost and they’re unlikely to break under the weight because spider’s silk is made from protein fibres. Their silk provides insulation for both eggs and adult spiders, as they need to protect themselves from the colder months.
Many insects will be getting cosy and hiding in December. This could be under leaf piles, amongst logs, or in thick hedges, so be mindful when gardening that these areas are ideal for wildlife seeking shelter and warmth.
One shrub that has been connected to Christmas since medieval times, is holly. Holly has been gathered for decorations for many years, as its deep green leaves and red berries are a perfect addition to a festive scene. Only female trees will produce berries, and these scarlet fruits are ideal for birds to feed on. Holly will remain green all year-round, making it an ideal choice for your garden, as despite it being associated with Christmas, it’s a lovely addition at any time of year.
If you happen upon thick shrubs and trees this December, you may spot a pied wagtail. Identifiable by their long tail and black and white feathers, these spritely birds flock together in winter, huddling for heat. They are often seen in urban areas – trees protected from cold winds by buildings are the perfect spots for pied wagtails to take shelter and keep warm.
We couldn’t talk about December wildlife without mentioning the red-breasted robin. Although they only weigh between 14-20g, their impact and influence on British culture is huge. Often associated with a snowy Christmas theme, these birds are seen on the front of Christmas cards or immortalised in decorations. They also have a significant spiritual impact as they’re associated with the belief that a lost loved one is near when a robin pays you a visit. In the UK, their song can be heard all year and are a favourite visitor to gardens and green spaces. They feed on seeds and fruits, so as a Christmas treat for our winged friends, why not place some seeds on a high ledge or shelf for them to come and feed upon.
As the New Year draws closer, it’s also a time to think about planting vegetables and fruits that you want to harvest in 2026. Some great suggestions to plant in December are lettuce, onion, garlic and rhubarb. You can tick growing your own food off the New Year’s resolution list with these!
We would love to see and hear about your outdoor winter excursions around Chelmsford and if you spot anything interesting then please do send your photos to us via our social media channels or our wildlife sightings page.
We hope you have a lovely festive period full of happiness and joy. Remember to get plenty of fresh air and take some mindfulness moments in our green spaces.
Article by: Issy Lyons (Marketing Officer, Events and Corporate)
Images: Juvenile Whooper Swan Central park by David Simmonds, images of an adult Whooper Swan, Image of an Adult Mute Swan
As if by magic, after talking about Whooper swans in our November Wildlife Watch, keen eyed birders have spotted a juvenile whooper swan in our very own central park!
Our resident Mute Swans were joined at the end of November by a juvenile Whooper Swan (pronounced hooper). This lone juvenile seems to have had a little navigation issue, but has decided to settle into central park.
As this juvenile grows into an adult its beak will become yellow with a black tip (image 2), distinguishing it from the resident Mute Swans (image 3) which have a black eye ridge.
This Juvenile Whooper Swan may not be used to people, so please give it space.
Find more fascinating Whooper Swan information on the RSPBs website here: Whooper Swan Facts | Cygnus Cygnus
