Easy Nature Journal Prompts

'Stillness & Quiet'

January nature journal weekly prompt 1: Stillness & Quiet

Record a moment of January calm - perhaps between storms, in frost or fog, in rain, or in a rare pause of silence.

Take a moment to stop. Notice what’s around you. What can you see, hear, feel?

You might choose to draw, write a few words, note the weather, or simply sit with the feeling and let it settle.

There’s no need to capture everything - just one small, quiet moment is enough.

'The Return of the Light'

January nature journal weekly prompt 2: The Return of the Light

At this time in January, the days are still short - but the light is quietly on its way back.

Maybe it’s a brighter morning sky, a longer afternoon glow, or the way sunlight catches frost on a hedgerow.

In your journal, note where you notice the light returning - outside or within.

Sometimes the smallest changes can carry the most hope...

'Trees in Winter'

January nature journal weekly prompt 3: Trees in Winter

January is a quiet month, and winter trees invite us to slow down and really see what remains when everything else is pared back.

Without leaves, their shapes and structures are revealed - twisting branches, scars, strength, and stories written in bark.

In your nature journal, try sketching a single tree, noticing its silhouette, or writing about what feels steady and rooted in your own life right now.

Winter shows us that this time of rest is not emptiness - it’s preparation - time to notice the structure of our lives that the rest of the year will build on...

'Winter birds close to home'

January nature journal weekly prompt 4: Winter Birds Close to Home

In winter, birds come closer - to feeders, hedges, and quiet corners of our gardens.

January is a wonderful time to slow down and notice who’s visiting.

Listen for calls, watch behaviours, sketch a bird from memory, or jot down who arrives and when.

These small moments of connection can become precious winter memories.

'Shoots & Buds'

January nature journal weekly prompt 5: Shoots & Buds

January can look bare - but look closely and you’ll find buds already forming.

Tiny shoots, swelling tips on branches, the promise of growth hidden beneath winter’s stillness.

In your nature journal, try drawing a single bud up close, or writing about something in your life that’s quietly preparing to grow.

Nature never truly stops - it just works softly.

'February Snowdrops & Early Flowers'

February nature journal weekly prompt 1: Early Flowers

Notice the first flowers pushing through winter soil and record their quiet promise of spring.

Snowdrops are likely in bloom now - a whispered secret from the earth reminding us that even in these cold days, the gentle first flowers of spring are bringing hope.

If you feel drawn to it, try sketching or noting the first flowers you notice this week.

February Birdsong

February nature journal weekly prompt 2: February Birdsong

February is when the silence starts to soften. A robin, a great tit, a chaffinch testing their voice...

You might like to pause and record the first birdsong you hear in your nature journal.

An app like Merlin Bird ID can help you to identify the birds you're hearing, if you'd like to identify them (find out more in my year of birdsong page here...)

'Still cold, still quiet'

February nature journal weekly prompt 3: Still cold, still quiet...

February still has many days which are cold, rainy, or foggy.

Record frost, rain, fog, ice, snow, bare earth, or the winter textures that remain in your nature journal.

'Early Buds and Catkins'

February nature journal weekly prompt 4: Early buds and catkins...

Look closely at buds, catkins, or swelling tips on branches - tiny promises of spring. There’s so much life hidden in winter branches if we take the time to look closely.

Notice buds, shapes, and patterns - no drawing skills needed.

'First Colours of Spring'

March nature journal weekly prompt 1: 'First Colours of Spring'

March starts to bring colour back into the world - daffodils and early flowers as well as budding leaves.

Notice the return of colour in hedgerows and gardens. You might like to record the first yellows, pinks and purples, whites, or greens you notice, in your nature journal.

'Nest-building Season'

March nature journal weekly prompt 2: 'Nest-Building Season'

Notice nest-building birds - this is the month of busy beaks and careful carrying.

Take a moment to watch birds more closely if you spot them carrying moss, feathers, and twigs - always from a respectful distance - you might see where they're building their nest.

'Spring rain & renewal'

March nature journal weekly prompt 3: 'Spring Rain & Renewal'

A prompt to explore rain as part of spring’s return.

Rain can feel different now - softer and full of promise.
You might jot down how spring rain changes the landscape around you or how it changes feelings within you.

'Budburst watch'

March nature journal weekly prompt 4: 'Budburst Watch'

A prompt to notice buds opening across March.

Sometimes changes happen almost overnight and sometimes they're more gradual. Track buds beginning to open in your nature journal.

If you like, you could choose one tree or shrub and notice how it changes over a few days or weeks.

'First insects of the year'

March nature journal weekly prompt 5: 'First Insects of the Year'

Notice the return of insects on warmer days. That first bee or butterfly always feels like a small celebration.

If you see one, you might record where and when in your nature journal.

'New Life in the Fields'

April nature journal weekly prompt 1: New Life in the Fields - Spring Lambs

A gentle observation of new life in farmland landscapes. There’s something quietly grounding about lambs in spring fields. You might record a moment of new life you’ve noticed recently in your nature journal.

'April Skies'

April nature journal weekly prompt 2: April Skies

Observe fast-changing spring weather. April skies seem to hold every mood and season. Clouds, sun, showers - you might record one passing moment or several, as you feel.

'Blossom Moments'

April nature journal weekly prompt 3: 'Blossom Moments' - Spring Blossom

Notice fleeting blossom before it falls. Blossom never lasts long, which is maybe why it feels so precious. If it calls to you, remember and record a blossom moment in your journal.

'April's Dawn Chorus'

April nature journal weekly prompt 4: 'April's Dawn Chorus' - Spring Birdsong

Capture the energy of spring birdsong. April mornings are full of music - even if you don't wake up at dawn!

You might note which birds you hear using an app like Merlin - or simply notice how listening to birdsong makes you feel.

If you'd like to explore listening to birds in more depth, read about my year of birdsong here...

'The World Turns Green'

April nature journal weekly prompt 5: 'The World Turns Green' - Greens of Spring

Explore the many shades of spring green. Green arrives all at once in our trees hedgerows and gardens, then keeps changing. Try noticing just how many greens surround you - you can choose to record different greens in your nature journal or just notice as you go about your day.

'Bluebells'

May nature journal weekly prompt 1: 'Bluebells' - Woodland Light

Discover bluebells in woodlands, parks and gardens - it doesn't have to be a spectacular spread.

Notice how the sunlight filters through the new leaves on trees to allow late spring flowers to bloom.

'Hawthorn in Flower'

May nature journal weekly prompt 2: 'Hawthorn in Flower' - May Blossom

Notice the frothy white blossom that fills the hedgerows - a sign of the abundance of the season.

In your nature journal, you might record the contrast between the white flowers and green leaves, the scent, and any insects you see.

'Flower Garden'

May nature journal weekly prompt 3: 'Flower Garden' - Blooming Beauties

Flowers fill our gardens and parks at this time of year - notice colourful petals and interesting shapes and record what appeals in your nature journal.

Don't worry about making pretty pictures - look closer and study the structure of the flowers...

Or sit quietly for a while and then write about how the flowers make you feel.

'Birds Feeding Chicks'

May nature journal weekly prompt 4: 'Birds Feeding Chicks' - Hungry Mouths

The birds are busy this time of year feeding their hungry chicks.

Look out for young fledglings and you may see their parents come to feed them. Even if you can't spot the young birds, you can notice the busy parents searching for food and flying busily.

Record anything you notice in your journal.

'Long evenings'

May nature journal weekly prompt 5: 'Long Evenings' - Nature at Dusk

Long evenings are a great time to look for nature - you might see rabbits, deer, foxes, owls if you're in the countryside - and you will hear the evening songs of birds like robins and blackbirds.

Take a quiet walk at dusk near trees and record what you see and hear in your nature journal - or just enjoy the sights and sounds at the end of the day.