When was your first time?

On Saturday afternoon, I went to collect my wife from Madingley Hall, where she teaches Literature.  I was late (probably) and she was sitting on a bench outside, waiting in the dusk, and spellbound by a flock of starlings coming in to roost.  As ever they were painting amazing patterns in the sky and for once my wife was captivated by birds.

She is not a birder.  Over the years, she has sat in many cars/hides/fields reading a book while I potter around looking for flowers or watching birds.  Everyone has their own way of connecting with the world and, to be fair, I have to say that Jane Austen has never quite done it for me.  But I did wonder whether Saturday afternoon was a turning point.  Maybe, just maybe, the starlings’ performance would do more to awake a feeling for nature than a couple of decades of my detailed explanations of animal behaviour and ecology.

I know that many people believe that a love of nature always starts in childhood.  I am not so sure.  I think that it can get you at any time.  My Dad, on walking from John O’Groats to Lizard Point during his retirement took more interest in the wildlife that he encountered than at any time in his previous 50 years of walking.  And I think that I came to birds quite late.  I had been a bit distracted by butterflies and big carnivores.  It was when I saw my first lapwing through the scope of a vet (the detail never leaves you) that I first began to appreciate birds in all their glory.  I was struck by the beauty of its plumage and then its distinctive flight and call.  I haven’t wanted to stop looking since.

It goes without saying that I am a huge fan of David Attenborough’s new Frozen Planet series and am delighted to marvel at the latest escapade of an Adélie penguin, but I think that it is only through direct contact with nature that a deep and inspirational connection with nature can be forged.  The sad truth is that we face a vicious circle with dwindling available wildlife-rich places meaning chance encounters are less frequent.  That means fewer people catching the bug which means fewer people caring enough to do something to save nature.

This is why encouraging contact with nature through everyday living is a core part of the RSPB’s strategy.  Through our youth and education work, our people engagement initiatives and even through site visits with politicians – we want more people to see nature at first hand and see how it can change your life.

As for my wife, only time will tell whether she’ll look up from her book the next time the starlings come home to roost.

When did you first fall in love with nature? How do you think we should encourage more people to get in contact with nature?

It would be great to hear your views.