As we change seasons there’s a new palette of colours and array of nature to greet us
October. Mellow warm colours; russet leaves, orange pumpkins and an early golden hour before sunset. Maybe a first fire. Change of clothes as summer’s departure can no longer be denied. Gloves for early morning nippy fingers. Warm food, switch from herbs to spices. Sweet treats (not tricks) please!
Redwings may start to arrive from colder climes. It’s difficult on frosty mornings to image that there are places much colder than home but birds know. Sometimes they visit the garden. I wonder if they will stay further north as the global temperatures become less cold.
The more I connect with the natural world, the more I cycle back to concern about the environment. Birds understand weather and climate change. Their collective numbers and behaviours can teach us too.
Our generic seagull, the Herring Gull is red listed for conservation concern due to population decline. UK waters and coastlines support up to 60% of all North Atlantic populations of this species. They may seem common on our seaside visits but the truth is that they are struggling. The combined effect of climate change and bird flu is probably to blame.
The age of the internet means that we are not short of facts on any matter of our choosing. The United Nations seemed like a good starting point from my google search, but even that climate-based information is heavy on what is happening and even how it is happening. Very little analysis is published on the why. Surely lasting change can only come from understanding and acting on why?
What hope of system change for an individual anyway? I am easily paralysed by information overload and default to doing nothing if I don’t know what the right thing to do is. The UN has a helpful app if that’s your thing (or you could share it if not), called ACT NOW with suggestions of steps we can all take.
Patrick Grant’s book “Less” is also an interesting read/listen. A perfect opportunity to curl up on an old comfy chair, dig out your fluffy (woollen, locally made) socks!
Helen Grimbleby is a West Berks/North Hants based artist who is inspired by the natural world’s changing seasons. After exploring outside, she enjoys writing, illustrating and painting larger landscapes at her home studio (@helengrimblebyart).
For more details about the artists and their work and to see the map of venues involved, visit 