I have been sitting here for five minutes - if that! - and had a couple of manu pango (blackbirds) pass by me, watched a riroriro (grey warbler) feeding in the tawai tree behind me, a chaffinch perch a few metres away, and heard the beautiful waiata (song) of the tūī in the distance. I can see nameless tiny insects hovering about, backlit by the low sun. The clouds have dissipated in the last hour of daylight so I have come outside to take up as much sunshine as I can.
I wrote this on Sunday evening. Sundays are funny days, aren’t they? I feel Monday looming up closer by the hour, so I am challenging myself to slow down and really enjoy the day. So for today’s Weekly Wildlife, I’m challenging you to do the same. Can you make some time for wildlife this week?
What is a sit spot?
It was through nature journalling that I came across the idea of a sit spot. Put simply, it’s a place in nature that you visit regularly and notice what’s happening around you, using all your senses. Ideally it’s somewhere that wildlife frequent. It could be in your own garden or balcony, or a public place like a local park.
My sit spot wasn’t chosen, really, it just became my favourite spot to sit in the garden. It’s perfect for a sit spot, though, as it’s right by the butterfly garden, and an area that the birds like to hang out in. The butterfly garden attracts other insects, too, and it’s an area I’m still building so there’s always something new to see.
If you’re interested in nature journalling,
has written a beginner-friendly article on sit spots from a naturalist’s perspective. If you’re a teacher, you might like this activity sheet from nature journalist John Muir Laws.
Why create a sit spot?
Personally, it’s just a really enjoyable way to spend my time. I love how close the birds get when I let them come to me, and how easily I can observe their natural behaviour just by sitting still. I notice things I’d never seen before, and often questions will come to the surface that I’d never thought to ask before.
But spending time in a sit spot can also be good for our health. It’s an absurdly simple way to connect with nature, slow down, practice mindfulness, and to get some fresh air. All things that don’t come naturally in our modern lives - and all things that are very, very good for us.
The Mental Health Foundation says that “paying more attention to the present moment, to our thoughts and feelings and to the world around us boosts our wellbeing.” There’s also evidence that spending time in nature can improve our ability to focus and pay attention.
Traditionally, a sit spot is a place you return to frequently, perhaps a few times a week - perhaps daily. But I think we can all dip our toes in by carving out a ten-minute break in our day to sit in nature, even if it’s just once.
Happy noticing,
Zenobia x
You might also like:
Find Your Sit Spot - an article about nature journalling by Susannah at Cricklewood
What is Kaplan’s Attention Restoration Theory? - a deep dive into the theory and evidence
Five ways to wellbeing - a guide by the Mental Health Foundation of NZ
New Zealand Garden Bird Survey - take part by spending an hour in your sit spot observing birds and contributing to scientific research (runs from 24 June - 2 July)
My sit spot is an old garden bench in our back court yard under our beautiful Bougainvillea.
I love being out there , not with my journal, but with my knitting, crochet or hand embroidery.
It is a totally different experience crafting out with nature.
Thank you for the mention. Your sit spot sounds divine!