I started at the RSPB a couple of years ago with just a bit of birding knowledge and some other wildlife basics. Since then I’ve learnt loads about all nature through my work. It’s the number one bit of experience I’ll take away from my time here, as even basic knowledge of the natural world is declining rapidly as young people become further disconnected from nature.

Each year I set a target for myself. You might’ve seen mention of my 2016 focus on dragonflies and damselflies in a past blog, setting my sights on learning all roughly 42 resident breeding species of Odonata (this figure changes often and is difficult to pin down exactly for various reasons). Although I didn’t manage to see all of them in a year – just 21 species in the end – I feel I built up the knowledge to ID them in the future, as well as learned about their lifecycles and habits.

A red admiral was spotted last week at The Lodge HQ in Sandy - Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

In the midst of a flurry of new dragonfly and damselfly species last summer, Mark suggested we use one of our lunch breaks to try and see a different type of flying insect. We visited a nearby woodland with several mature oaks. Through the searing heat and dappled light of the early August mid-day sun, flitting around at the very top of a hefty oak, was a purple hairstreak butterfly.

Interest sparked, I decided then that the focus for 2017 would be butterflies.

Peacock butterflies are another hibernating species you can see early in the year - Chris Shields (rspb-images.com)

Butterflies make a superb group to focus on. There are not an overwhelmingly huge number of species in the UK (roughly 58 species, and again this isn't an exact figure for reasons not unlike Odonata), unlike moths, and they’re something you’re likely to see often almost anywhere. And this last point leads nicely onto why I’m studying up on a different group of species each year to become a bit of a wildlife jack-of-all-trades: I want to be able to impart this knowledge on my future children.

Young peoples’ disconnection from nature poses a significant threat to nature conservation, and the future of our planet. Without a new generation of people harbouring an understanding of, and affinity for, the natural world, the wild places we all love might be lost. For me, this is one of the driving forces behind my eagerness to learn about nature in the UK.

Like stained glass, this orange-tip is stunning in spring light - Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)

I’m excited for the year ahead, and for my butterfly hunting to begin. I’ll be writing throughout the year about how I’m getting on with my butterfly quest, so be sure to check back regularly. I’m just waiting for spring to properly start now. Or has it already? Let us know what you think in the comments below. Read Mark’s take on when spring starts this coming Monday, right here on the Nature’s Home blog.

Jack