Welcome January (Almanac 2024)
A summary of things to watch out for and enjoy in Nature through January
At the beginning of January our thoughts turn to what the new year might bring. It's a time to think about our vision for the months ahead so that we can realise the dreams we hold dear.
January is a friend to Nature as cold and frosty days cleanse the Earth in preparation for the onset of Spring. A cold Winter helps to recharge fields, wetlands, lakes and streams, and to cut back pests and diseases including Ticks which carry Lyme disease.
January represents the slow and sure return of the Sun to our lands having passed the longest night and shortest day during the Winter Solstice on Friday 22 December. It's good to spend time outside during the day to take in the light which helps to keep us healthy. It's a time to go for long walks to take in the beauty of our sleeping landscape and appreciate the birds and wild animals that stay with us during the colder months.
As we help our feathered friends to survive the cold season with wild bird food and fresh water by day, at night we can step out to gaze at the stars under the light of the Wolf Moon.
You can find gardening tips. vegetables, herbs, fruits and nuts in season, and things to forage, in my Almanac for January (2023).
Poem for the month
Read or listen to my first poem - Welcome January - a celebration of the cold season of mists, frosts and rainy days as Nature cleanses the Earth and we welcome in the first month of the year.
Recipe for the month
Try my recipe for Hearty Beetroot and Coconut Soup - a deliciously earthy and super-nutritious soup for colder days. Beetroot is packed with many valuable vitamins that play a key role in growth, development and heart health with minerals needed for bone formation, nutrient metabolism and brain function. It's a great way to boost your repair system and immunity during the Winter months.
To gain full benefit, organic vegetables are always best. I buy most of my organic fruit and vegetables from Riverford Farm who deliver all over the country. If you use this link you will recieve a £15 discount on your first order.
Dates for Moon phases
New Wolf Moon - Saturday 6 January
Full Wolf Moon - Thursday 27 January
Times for Sunrise & Sunset (Devon)
First Dawn - 8.17 am
First Sunset - 4.19 pm
Last Dawn - 7.53 am
Last Sunset - 5.04 pm
Things to watch out for in January
Bird watching
This is the month when you will see Rooks high up in the trees inspecting last year's nests and making repairs for the coming Spring.
Fieldfares, Meadow Pippets, Skylarks and Redwings throng our hedgerows while the birds that stay during the cold season visit our gardens to stock up on Winter fuel from our bird feeders and drink from water baths and bowls. Watch out for Robins, Long-Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Cold Tits, Finches, Wrens, Goldcrests, Green Finches, Chaffinches, Starlings, Grey Wagtails, Jackdaws, Rooks, Crows, Blackbirds, Dunnocks and Song Thrushes.
You will also see Buzzards perched high in the trees as they tend to stay put during the day to preserve energy. You may even be lucky enough to hear owls calling to each other in the late evenings as they claim their territories before becoming more vocal to attract a mate in late Winter.
Nature watching
Churchyards and old buildings provide sanctuary for Nature through the Winter months. Look out for plants, wildlife and a myriad of lichens that thrive on ancient trees and old stone walls.
On our waterways, you will see Bitterns, Water Rails, Herons and perhaps even Kingfishers searching for food.
Things to do in January
Feed the birds
One of the most important things we can do is put out plenty of wild food for the birds through January. Don't forget to leave fresh water and make sure to clear away any ice so that they can drink freely from bird baths and bowls. With natural food stocks so low, this can be a life-saver for our feathered friends during the colder months.
Fly a kite
This is the perfect month to wrap up warm and go out to explore. Deserted beaches are a wonderful way to enjoy long walks by the sea, check out rock pools, go fossil hunting or fly a kite.
Go for a walk
Woodland paths cushioned with fallen leaves are alive with the rich colours of bright green moss, ferns and holly trees, especially after the rain. Moorlands, heathland and open landscapes are pretty much deserted during the Winter months where you can enjoy invigorating walks and take in the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Take in the light
I hope you take time out to enjoy Nature and take in the light from the low lying Sun. The quality of the light in January is different from any other month of the year, especially on a frosty morning. Everything is so clear, clean and bright symbolising a fresh start to the year ahead.
I look forward to seeing you for my next almanac on 1 February 2024.
Sue Cartwright
Spiral Leaf
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Further reading
Recommended books are available for sale in the Spiral Leaf bookshop by following the links below. Spiral Leaf may earn a small commission on books sold only by independent book sellers with no extra cost to you.
The Almanac - A Seasonal Guide to 2024 by Lia Leendertz
Wild Hares and Hummingbirds by Stephen Moss
Meadowland - The Private Life of an English Field by John Lewis-Stempel
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for you, for me and for Mother Nature
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