Gerrit’s high winds meant we had to close some of our woody reserves – the woodland at Brockholes, Freshfield Dune Heath and Moor Piece.

I would suggest that most people wouldn’t think of going out during a storm for a walk in the woods and the more experienced folk, who know their local woods, would take extra care, but the Wildlife Trust has a duty of care to our visitors.

Trees and branches can clatter to the ground unexpectedly when the wind is blowing as nature removes some of the deadwood in its forests. That wood will lie on the floor providing shelter for many creatures and is even more useful to bugs and some birds as it rots. Our willow tits dig out nests in rotting trees.

This is the circle of life in all its dramatic glory, trees are blown over to rot and enrich the woodland floor, creating growth of woodland plants and replacement trees.

I love walking the dog on windy days, it feels as if you are getting a shower of life, especially when the odd surprise splash of rain arrives, that really does wake me up in the morning.

My favourite place for storms in on the dunes at St Annes, you really get to understand the power of nature when you see waves crashing onto the beach. Watch the oystercatchers, running along the edge of the waves, looking out for food as they duck and dive.

We will be creating sand dunes at St Annes in early February, and the existing dunes are a result of storms, like Gerrit, bringing sand onto the shore.

So my advice is to take great care if you have to go out in stormy weather and keep away from woods if you don’t know them really, really well.

Of course, another way to enjoy the storms is to stay inside, turn off the telly and the radio and just listen to the winds howling around your chimney. I am getting a lovely shiver just thinking about it.

• We will keep you informed when it is safe to visit our woodland reserves, on social media.
• If you want to make a positive difference for nature in the North West, you can support LWT's Step Up for Wildlife Appeal here.