Day 20: Connecting with nature to improve my wellbeing in the dark days of winter by observing snuggling snails

Winter Solstice Eve Activities

Hello and welcome back to my blog. I am not feeling great today so just a quick paragraph. The winter solstice will soon be upon us. The shortest day makes me excited, but also I know that it is a long climb out of the short days to the spring equinox. I went ouut with the intention of filming my pot of Verbena. But I got distracted by a crack in my garden wall.

The best way to find snuggling snails

I sat on the cold damp ground, but did not notice the dampness until I got up again. I was totally engrossed in looking into this crevice in the garden wall. The wall along the drive has come away from the front wall. A crevice has opened. There were a huge number of woodlice scurrying about the place and a bunch of snails all snuggled together.

Why do snails snuggle or aggregate

The official term for the snails is aggregating. The snails do this to prevent moisture loss and to maintain a steady temperature as the air temperature drops during the winter.

The best way to find joy in winter

I tried to count them. But them are all crammed on top of each other. I think there maybe more than 20 or 30 in the tiny crevice. I keep finding these tiny wonders of nature in my wildlife garden. I hope you can find time to go and have a mini wildlife adventure outside your front door.