AT the of the UK’s most popular nature challenge, 30 Days Wild, a survey of last year’s participants reveals that listening to birdsong, exercising and eating outdoors, identifying and planting wildflowers, and going on a bug hunt, were people’s favourite ‘random acts of wildness’ last year.

30 Days Wild is a fun, annual event from The Wildlife Trusts, including North Wales, with more than a million participants to date.

A record 650,000 people took part in 2020.

People are invited to sign-up and try one ‘random act of wildness’ every day, for 30 days in June. Fans join a supportive online community for inspiration, practical advice and wildlife-watching tips.

Pond dipping (c) Matthew Roberts / 2020 Vision

Pond dipping (c) Matthew Roberts / 2020 Vision

Top random acts of wildness:

The Wildlife Trusts asked a 1,000 people who took part in 30 Days Wild in 2020 about their favourite random acts of wildness. The top 10 most popular activities were:

  1. Listening to birdsong came top – 88%
  2. Exercising outdoors – 81%
  3. Eating or drinking outdoors – 79%
  4. Identifying wildflowers – 77%
  5. Planting wildflower seeds – 71%
  6. Going on a bug hunt – 59%
  7. Hugging or admiring a tree – 58%
  8. Making a wildlife home (birdbox, bee hotel) – 49%
  9. Going barefoot on the grass or earth – 49%
  10. Sketching, drawing or painting nature – 47%
Feed the birds for 30 Days Wild (c) Nick Upton / 2020 Vision

Feed the birds for 30 Days Wild (c) Nick Upton / 2020 Vision

New for this year – a Big Wild Breakfast to kickstart the 30 Days Wild challenge on Tuesday 1st June. Participants are urged to celebrate the first day of their wild month with a Big Wild Breakfast and see how much wildlife they can spot in just 30 minutes.

Putting up a bird box (c) Evie and Tom Photography / 2020 Vision.

Putting up a bird box (c) Evie and Tom Photography / 2020 Vision.

Sign-up for 30 Days Wild and you will receive:

  • A bundle of fun with a wallchart and 101 ideas to complete the challenge
  • Top technical tips from wildlife webcam experts
  • Advice on recording your breakfast bio-blitz
  • A Big Wild Breakfast nature ‘bingo’ placemat
  • Wildlife guides, how-to guides, an online quiz event and much more
Girl blowing seeds (c) Evie and Tom Photography / 2020 Vision.

Girl blowing seeds (c) Evie and Tom Photography / 2020 Vision.

Frances Cattanach, chief executive officer of North Wales Wildlife Trusts, said: “I will be encouraging all my friends and family to get outdoors for a Big Wild Breakfast in the garden on 1 June, to kickstart the brilliant 30 Days Wild. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that people need more nature in their lives and much more of it on their own doorstep. At North Wales Wildlife Trust, we know there’s a huge public appetite for more contact with nature. We want to see neighbourhood nature everywhere for people to enjoy – from wilder community spaces and urban meadows alive with wildflowers and native grasses to healthier hedgerows, hedgehog superhighways and glorious nature-friendly gardens.

“30 Days Wild is an inspirational reminder to explore nature in June, to value what we’ve got, and to demand more action to restore our natural world. We need to give people easier access to the kind of vibrant, life-affirming wildness that they deserve. That’s why The Wildlife Trusts have launched our 30 by 30 appeal – to raise £30m to help protect 30% of land and sea for nature’s recovery by 2030.”

Leanne Manchester, The Wildlife Trusts’ digital manager, added: "One million people have enjoyed 30 Days Wild from The Wildlife Trusts so far and it’s still growing! We’re utterly thrilled that our annual nature challenge has become so massively popular and our research with the University of Derby shows how keeping it wild for the whole month of June will make you feel happier and healthier. What could be better than making time for yourself and connecting with nature for just a few moments of your day? It’s fun, free and easy – and after such a challenging year, we’ve never needed nature more!”

Mya-Rose Craig, the ornithologist and campaigner known as Birdgirl, said: “I’m a big fan of 30 Days Wild– I love being part of the surge of enthusiasm that emanates from everyone involved! Get creative and find 30 new ways to be inspired by the beauty of the outdoors and nature or be entertained by trying out new nature activities. It is especially important if you live in the city as nature is all around, just waiting to be found. I really want to try sketching a bird this year and I can’t wait to kick-off my wild June with the Big Wild Breakfast. I plan to take out my bowl of Shreddies, alongside my binoculars which are always by my side, and enjoy a bit of garden birding while I munch.”

Join 30 Days Wild at wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild and get a pack of fantastic ideas.