Britons are being urged to celebrate the summer solstice outdoors this weekend as a National Trust poll reveals the coronavirus lockdown has revived our love of nature.
A third of British adults are more interested in nature as a result of lockdown and more than half plan to make a habit of spending time surrounded by nature when things are back to normal, the study reveals.
The National Trust says celebrating natural events makes people feel more connected to nature, which is linked to higher levels of wellbeing.
The conservation charity is therefore encouraging people to step outside on Saturday June 20 to enjoy the summer solstice – the longest day of the year.
Solstices occur when the planet’s geographical pole in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere is most greatly inclined towards the sun.
Despite the lockdown measures, the National Trust wants Brits to post photos online of wildlife and flowers at dawn or sunset in their garden, park or local green space using the hashtag #EveryoneNeedsNature, to mark the event.
Bees go to bed as the warmth of the sun lessens at the end of the day and can be seen in abundance in the dusk of the summer
The poll, commissioned by the National Trust, has revealed how an increased relationship with nature appears to have helped people across the UK since the coronavirus pandemic outbreak in March.
‘Although we suspected that nature was providing the nation some level of comfort during these distressing and unprecedented times, we wanted to get a better understanding of how it was helping people through this period,’ said Andy Beer, director of the Midlands at the National Trust.
‘The results tell us that people have found spending time in nature or seeing nature has had a positive effect on their mood, and hopefully therefore, helped their mental wellbeing.
With this weekend’s summer solstice, the conservation charity is encouraging people all over the country to make the most of the longest day by noticing and enjoying the moment, either by experiencing a dawn or sunset in their garden or local green space; or noticing the wildlife and flowers active at dawn or dusk in their garden or local park. Pictured, a blue tit
‘Mounting evidence shows that everyday connections with nature has a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.
‘The fact that people are recognising so fully how nature has helped them during the crisis can only be a good thing for people, nature and wildlife.’
According to the poll of 2,103 UK adults conducted online during lockdown, more than two thirds – or 68 per cent – either agreed or strongly agreed that spending time noticing nature around them has made them feel happy during lockdown.
In particular, 75 per cent of the female respondents agreed or strongly agreed that this was the case, compared with 68 per cent of the men.
In total, 55 per cent plan to make a habit of spending ‘as much time in nature’ once the lockdown completely lifts.
A blackbird during a dawn chorus. The National Trust is encouraging people to take notice of nature over the solstice weekend, by watching out at dawn or dusk, wherever they are
Since lockdown, levels of interest in nature have risen 33 per cent overall but grown most fervently in the younger age group – a rise of 40 per cent in the 25 to 34 age group category.
41 per cent of all respondents also said they are spending a little or a lot more time surrounded by nature in the past two weeks as lockdown starts to ease, compared with this time last year.
‘Spending time in nature is good for health, and having a close connection with nature is good for people’s mental wellbeing,’ said Professor Miles Richardson from the University of Derby.
‘Both play an active part in managing our emotions and moods, and our results show they have done so during what has been a difficult time.
An incredible close-up of a bee on hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) at Trelissick, Cornwall
‘It’s great to see that many people have found a friend in nature and long may that continue, because a close relationship with the natural world leads people to do good for nature in their everyday behaviour.
‘That’s why it’s important to tune in and celebrate nature – being in touch with the passing of the seasons and events such as the summer solstice can play a part in developing that close and meaningful relationship.’
The National Trust survey also revealed that those who get up early have a greater affinity for activities involving nature and the outdoors, such as going for a walk and listening to the dawn chorus.
Night owls, meanwhile, are more inclined to enjoy cultural activities or entertainment, including gaming, watching TV and listening to music.
A common pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in flight over silver birch branch at night
More than a third of respondents – 37 per cent – claimed to have also noticed the changing seasons more than they did last year and 22 per cent said they had experienced more sunrises or sunsets compared to last year.
As many as 90 per cent of all respondents said they don’t celebrate the longest day of the year, despite three quarters of them knowing when it falls.
This weekend’s event is therefore a good starting point to reconnect with nature as we emerge from lockdown – although some people may currently be restricted by a lack of access to green space.
Pagans, druids and travellers in lockdown will have the chance to witness the sunrise during the summer solstice from Stonehenge live online for the first time
Stonehenge in Wiltshire usually hosts thousands of people to mark the summer solstice sunrise and sunset.
However, due to lockdown, the world-famous Neolithic monument is closed to visitors – although English Heritage plans to livestream the event on its Facebook page.
The National Trust, meanwhile, has a webpage dedicated to suggested activities for the weekend, after which the days start to draw in as we approach winter.
Brits can expect an abundance of robins and blackbirds in first light of the summer solstice morning as they poke at the ground for worms, as well as an variety of interesting moth species during sunset.
A Brimstone moth at Sheringham Park, Norfolk. One creature to look out for during the sunset is the weird and wonderful moth, according to the National Trust
The National Trust is asking Brits to use the hashtag #EveryoneNeedsNature over the solstice weekend when they share photos of the outdoors on social media channels.
‘If the only good thing that has come out of the pandemic is that more people have a better connection to the natural world, then that has to be a good thing and we want to do more to help signpost moments of nature’s calendar for people to engage with,’ said Beer.
‘It is heartening and reassuring that the drumbeat of the seasons is continuing and giving us all some small sense of normality.’