Go wild for 12 days

Round & About

Image: Deer / Jon Hawkins

Get closer to nature this Christmas by doing one wild thing daily for 12 days.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust’s 12 Days Wild festive challenge.

From 25th December to 5th January, 12 Days Wild encourages everyone of all ages to do one activity inspired by or connected with nature every day.

Whether it’s serving up a festive feast for your garden wildlife, taking a Boxing Day walk somewhere in nature to blow away the cobwebs, or making a New Year’s resolution to do something eco-friendly in 2026, there are so many ways that all of us can connect to wildlife during this holiday season.

Liz Shearer, Community Engagement Director at BBOWT says: “To mark 12 Days Wild this year I’ll be pledging to take a few moments every day to notice nature around me. Whether it be a stroll in my local park or simply watching birds through the window, I often find that stopping and connecting with wildlife on my doorstep is a simple but powerful way to recharge my batteries. 12 Days Wild is a great opportunity to create some space for yourself, which at this time of year can feel like a real gift.”

Simply sign up here – for free – and you’ll receive daily emails packed with fun ideas and inspiration to help you notice nature’s magic this winter and learn more about the wildlife around you. Watch out for exotic waxwings and the adorable December moth!

You could:

Take a Boxing Day walk

Listen to birdsong and learn your robins from your wrens

Start a 2026 wildlife diary or scrapbook

See what nighttime wildlife has visited your garden by looking for tracks and signs

Share a photo of something you’ve seen using #12DaysWild

Winter can be a lonely time, but getting outdoors in nature can lift the spirit like nothing else. Even in the darkness there is wonder to be found: is that a male or a female tawny owl calling? Or might you hear a robin singing in the first light of Christmas morning?

TV doctor and GP, Dr Amir Khan, who is Vice President of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Christmas isn’t always a happy season for everyone, and even the most enthusiastic can find it challenging or overwhelming. We all need time for peace and reflection, and nature offers us the chance to notice the small things, to slow down, to be present.”