In this new strange world that we find ourselves suddenly cast into, many people are turning to nature to find solace. The sight of blue tits feasting on a bird feeder or the bursting forth of spring flowers bring a smile and help lighten the load.

But what does the Coronavirus mean for wildlife? Many of us are noticing wildlife more, but does this mean there is more wildlife to notice?

Undoubtedly it’s certainly easier to spot wildlife now that our streets are silent and our skies are empty of planes; and we have more time on our hands at home to notice the wild visitors.

In some places wildlife is definitely making the most of this new found peace and quiet. In Llandudno feral goats have ventured right into the heart of town centre, and elsewhere on our deserted beaches, ground nesting birds such as little ring plover should benefit from the solitude.

However, wildlife and their homes are formed by many complex, invisible threads and it is not quite as straightforward as - remove all the people and wildlife will always thrive. Here in the UK the natural world has co-evolved with humanity over thousands of years.

The majority of the species we cherish, such as bluebell woodlands, wildflower meadows full of butterflies, and lakes with wintering wildfowl only support wildlife because they are managed by people, often using centuries’ old techniques.

It’s this traditional management that is threatened by the Coronavirus, for with conservationists and wildlife champions under lockdown restrictions much of this important management work will be unable to take place.

The lockdown means that teams of dedicated volunteers are unable to work on nature reserves; small or remote reserves are too difficult to graze, and our splendid hay meadows, such as Iffley Meadows with its iconic snake's-head fritillary, may struggle to be cut for hay.

All of this means that competitive dominating plants such as bramble, dense grass and scrub will be left to their own devices, choking out specialist wild flowers. This in turn will have knock on impacts on other species such as pollinators, which may be short of nectar sources. 

Right now it’s the bird breeding season. Birds are looking for safe, secret, undisturbed places to nest and bring up their young. Initially, lockdown might seem to provide the ideal conditions, but with the glorious spring weather we have seen many people making the most of their ‘daily exercise’ and exploring nature reserves near and far.

In fact, on some of our sites, footfall has dramatically increased; so while our streets and city centres might be quiet, the pressure on our special wild places has actually increased in recent weeks.

This threatens the very nature which brings so much joy and relief to people during this difficult time. So, whilst we welcome local visitors to our reserves please follow government advice and don’t drive to visit them. 

Lockdown also means that we are unable to monitor our wildlife. National schemes that count butterflies and birds, important ‘wildlife health indicators’, have been cancelled for the year, and closer to home the Trust’s volunteer surveyors have also become victim to the lockdown restrictions. This all means we simply won’t know how our precious species are fairing during these challenging times.

But, amidst all this doom and gloom, it’s important to remember that our natural world is here right now, all around us and it will still be here when the Coronavirus has run its course.

The natural world sustains us, our bodies and our souls. There is so much we as individuals can do to look after it, so that it thrives and in turn looks after us.

Now, just as much as ever, your wild world needs you. 

A good place to start is looking after the nature in your garden. Leave an area to go wild, rather than cutting the grass short. Plant lots of nectar sources. Dig a new wildlife pond; however small it can make an amazing positive difference to the sorts of animals that will call your garden home.

For more ideas on what you can do and how you can engage your family in the wildlife on their doorstep, sign up to our regular newsletter. 

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