Birdwatching is all about the anticipation: the flash of colour low across a stream, cold fingers too slow to focus the binoculars in time. It’s about the frustration of meeting other birders and, through gritted teeth, congratulating them when the say, “Oh the lesser spotted / evasive / gold crested / silver toed / slim beaked kingfisher?

It was all planned perfectly. A winter walk near Suffolk’s River Deben, with clear blue skies, a crisp frost underfoot and a pint in a country pub to finish. The perfect way to spend New Year’s Eve with the family. But as with most of the UK, the weather on the last day of 2012 was typical rather than traditional.

Looking for some inspiration for this year’s walking? Here are some suggestions for how to get the most out of 2013.  1) Explore a National Park - All of the UK’s National Parks have good public transport networks, so plan a week’s walking (or a long weekend) based around the local stops or stations.