Who inspired your interest in wildlife?

[topcol]

Nobody in particular though I read & re-read The Wind in the Willows loads when I was a boy. I've always been fascinated by wildlife in general, British fauna & flora in particular; growing up in the New Forest in the 50s presented we forest kids with so many opportunities I think we all took it pretty much for granted. I became especially interested in deer, Mustelids and reptiles, still am though don't get as many sightings in Kent as in the Forest. I'm amazed at the number of white (not albino) Fallow Deer there are in Kent.

[Emma S]

What an interesting thread - some great stories.

My Grandma helped my interest in wildlife and plants. She lived with us for most of my childhood until her death in my teens. For much of that time we lived in a very rural area.

My Gran and me would go on walks in the area - through woods and along field sides - and she would name all the wild plants, using their 'folk' names. The names have stuck in my memory.

My Gran was born in 1906, and grew up in a small village. For her, having a knowledge of plants, their uses and their folklore was a natural thing - everyone knew it when she was a child.

I count myself very lucky that she was able to pass some of this on to me.

[agrumpycow]

My interest in wildlife cam quite late compared to some stories on here.
About two years ago my other half bought me my first decent camera. I began taking photos whenever I went out walking in the woods and along the river with my dogs.
Through this I took some photos of flowers that I couldn't identify and when searching online I came across this site.
My interest grew and grew after learning more from this site to the extent that I am now studing for a degree in environmental studies with the OU, volunteer for the local wildlife trust and hope to make a complete career change in the future!

[Brocker]

I was introduced to wildlife and the countrside by an elderly gentleman who grew up living in it and off of it. What he did not know about animals and the countryside wasn't worth knowing. He was a lovely gentle man who had time for every living thing. He was a true inspiration, in fact I wrote some short stories for John Humphries, a countryman and author himself, based on this gentleman and they have been included in one of his books. . . lovely.
My photography was brought to me by an uncle and I have combined the two now. and I'm loving it.

[suzted]

i think it was likely the fact that up here in orkney there is enough wildlife and nature to get interested in. i also spent alot of time on my granny n granddads farm. so i have always been very fond of animals. i think David Attenborough helped too tho. he is the man lol

[Marineboy]

I put my interest in wildlife and the natural world down to my parents. Spare time was spent out of doors and it all just grows on you doesn't it. The bigger species have always been nice to see and watch, but its the small things "under foot" and the marine world that I hold so special.
David Attenborough was always good for me, and Jacques Cousteau definately spawned my aquatic interests. But, for me it was more than that. It was the opportunity to get out there and discover the wild for myself. And that was down to my parents.

[Ben!]

My grandma mostly, she gets birds etc. in her garden and that inspired me.

[snowhound]

Have always loved animals since having pet cats as a small child, but I guess it was my father who got my fascination with wildlife started by buying me a beautiful set of books called "International Wildlife Encyclopaedia". Looking through these volumes I became very fascinated and interested in the various creatures that inhabit our world. I learned a lot from those wonderful books and I am sure they helped sow the seed for my interest and love of wildlife. Snowhound

[Sherlock]

I am sure I was inspired by my beloved a doctor. She is a vegetarian and slightly crazy. When I first met her I could not understand why she loved rats and mice - even wild ones. Now I love them too and find it easy to pick them up and cuddle them. Yes, there is no doubt that it was Sherlock`s doctor.

[forevergreen]

its more of a "what" for me
my mum and dad and sister and me emergrated to australia and we went for a drive in a rented car to this small town that wouldnt be thier if the pilot boats didnt have thier headqaurters thier.
Anyway, i was walking along the piers and a guy who took local boat trips told me to keep an eye on the water, I did and then three manta rays glided past one after the other sweeping back and fore it was really cool! we left australia after 4 months and i told myself i would get a career in wildlife filming/photography and make sure that i see all these amazing places and animals and that i would help to keep them safe from other people too and also because i live at the edge of a forest. My favourite animals are fishing birds, marine mammals,
komodo dragons, wolfs, and penguins and other land mammals. But i love all wildlife.

[Heart-shaped World]

For me, initially, it was the books in the infant school library. I think I read most of them and so, eventually, found an amazing book on the subject of predators. (Really wish I could remember the exact title, author, etc.) I was absolutely enthralled by Stoats, Raft Spiders, Tiger Beetles and other things I might just be able to find.
Years later I watched my uncle's slideshow in awe and this remains an inspiration to this day (sadly, he is no longer with us). I often think "Ooh, you'd have liked this one Roger!".

[Bub-les]

Having spent an enjoyable time reading through all these posts its brought back some memories. My main inspiration was my father. He used to take my brother and I for walks on a Sunday morning and he would give either of us sixpence (old money!) for the biggest bunch of wild flowers we could find. Inspiration indeed! After a while it got harder we had to name them!
My earliest memory is picking gorse flowers near where we lived and my Dad told me we moved shortly after and I was 3! My Mum used to tell me that I had a pet woodlouse called Soggy which I kept in a matchbox. I think Mum made sure it was let loose.
He was a gardener and loved to show us the birds and their nests. We were always encouraged to look but not harm. And then there were BOOKS such wonderful pictures I was hooked. Its got to the stage that I'm not happy if I spot something I don't recognise I've got to find out what it is. I was the one always bringing in bits and pieces to school at every opportunity. The natural world just fascinates me. Since I found this site its got me going in earnest again. There's a wealth of knowledge here and the advice is so freely given. In fact it is the only forum I have ever plucked up the courage to join! I'm looking forward to getting my photography up to a decent standard to be able to post in the Gallery without having to apologize for the lack of quality. This site is an inspiration.
I sometimes follow some of the links and Lord V what photos!! They are truly amazing.
Anyway I've rambled enough so I'll say thanks to one and all for your encouragement so far.

[Adanvdo Waya]

My parents were probably the first people who really got me heavily interested in wildlife and nature. After that I'd say some driving forces would be Tom Brown Jr. and John Muir. The real inspiration for me right now comes from Tom Brown Jr. though, I love reading his books and tend to finish each of them in about three days.

God Bless,
Joshua

[WildJanet]

Me rearly, due to being incredably nosey & wondering what made plants & wildlife tick.& I so loved all the sights & sounds of Nature all around me.

[tigger]

I was born in North London near a park called "Broomfield Park". It was my first taste of "open space" and as a very young child (about 7 or 8) I was allowed to go to the park all the time in the summer on my own. This was the beginning of the 1970's.

So everyday I would ride my bike to the greengrocers and buy a bag of monkey nuts and then meet up with an elderly man in the park to feed the squirrels.

They used to climb right up your body and sit on your arm. I just loved it.

So I guess the person who inspired my first interest in wildlife was that old gent. He showed me how to hold out my hand with the nuts, and explained that I needed to keep ever so still and quiet.

Nowadays you wouldn't let your child anywhere near to an old man, or probably let your children go to the park on their own.... sad because they were some of the best days of my life, chatting to him about what the park was like in his youth (penny farthings and hoops & sticks) and animals.

I never knew his name, but I often think about him.

Jane

[outdoorguy]

mine was when i twisted my ankle and couldn't do pe at school.. i was about 8.. my teacher mr heyes.. gave me some old binoculars and said to go round the field and see wot birds i could see.. that was it.. hooked.. the other side of my outdoor life.. ie bushcraft and survival.. was in 1983.. me and some school mates.. i was 11 at the time.. hired out first blood (sylvester stallone) to watch.. we all loved it and was outdoors all the time after that.. makin camps, traps and fishing..... now it all blends nicely together... james

[Greenish]

My Family inspired me!
I'm so glad they did, because I enjoy science, and wildlife is part of it, so I also get to learn about it at school! And I love wildlife... I even bought a dog when I was only 7 from the RSPCA!
Bethany

[shei111]

My family have always been well into animals , I can remember being a young child my grandfather use to sit outside in his old shed and eat his sandwich at dinnertime and always had a robin and blackbird sitting on his knees waiting for a crumb or 2 . He always talked to them as if they were human , and im the same with animals ,theres nothing can beat that.

[oneworld]

As a 6 or 7 year old I was allowed to stay up late to watch David Attenborough (life on earth, wildlife on one, survival (non David!) etc).
My parents kept reptiles and tropical fish as well which I am sure helped my interest along.

It was always exotic stuff and it took me quite a while to get into British wildlife - now I'm hooked!

Jas

[featheredfriend]

I think it was probably my mother who loved nature and and wildlife. Also being brought up in the countryside and being aware of nature and birds in particular but I became actively involved following a chance meeting with a Fox. I was inspired to write the following poem which was later published by Chester Poets.

Fox
Thoughts elsewhere, eyes happened to glance
in your direction.
Dominated now, my mind,
absorbing
your sleek, shining perfection.
Motionless figure, pricked ears,
wary and wanton,
a preyed on predator,
king of the fields.

Your brilliant eyes compelling contact,
appraising, timeless, unblinking.
Something undefinable passes between us
then
you dismiss me
to resume your stealthy slinking,
while I
now enchanted remain
alone
with my thoughts again.

[Madonplants]

Growing up in the countryside with fields, woods and a farm close by, what else could I get into, but wildlife? My dad, being a professional gardener, helped also, as he helped make me understand the part wildlife plays with gardening, at an early age. I also used to spend some of my summer holidays at the farm, so that helped also.

Keith

[Billy Wobble Dagger]

Not sure who inspired me. But I know it was a woman from the local wildlife trust that told me how I could help. That’s why I keep going on about how good the wildlife trusts are. My love of Water Voles came from the wildlife trusts as well and was totally out of the blue. Who couldn’t resist becoming a vole-unteer So four years ago my adventures with BBOWT started both down at the local nature reserve, Chimney meadows, and on the river Windrush surveying for Water Voles. Had I had more time I would be carrying out Otter surveys as well but I just don’t have enough time

BWD

[Jolanta Zofia Nowak]

Sometimes it's not a who but a what.

In my case, that lovable little volume, the Observer's Book of Birds has a lot to answer for. S. Vere Benson, take a bow.

[WithNature]

Originally Posted by PMG

...Added to that the radio (actually they were called a wireless when I was little!) and two things stick in my mind oeoeoeoe Barton Special Agent (that intro music I 'hear' it still 50 years later!) and the real spark - Walks With Romany and I can still 'hear' his voice too - and if memory serves it was similar to Jack Hargreaves - maybe it even was Jack Hargreaves pretending to be a romany??....

Pauline

Hi Pauline.
George Bramwell Evens, or Romany, was my great, great, (great?) grandads brothers son!

I just thought you might like to know that you can now hear Romany's voice again as an archive CD is now available. Search the web, you'll find it! I don't mean to be advertising, but as you probably know it seems to be the only surviving audio of the great man.

[dragonfly]

MY dearly missed grandfather who i spent a lot of time with as a baine taught never to kill or hurt anything