Countryside walks...birds, butterflies and fauna - help?
Discussion
Eh up chums.
So, after suffering the trauma of being told by my Consultant, after my second knee operation, that I MUST give up running at the age of 39 - I went into a bit of a sulk for a while, and just stopped exercising altogether. Despite having two lovely bicycles, I lost interest in those too - and any of my friends who suggested 'gym' or 'swimming' were met with a reply of disdain! Looking back, the loss of being able to do something I had taken for granted for years hit me harder than I appreciated, and I possibly should have even sought a bit of help or counselling at the time.
Anyway - I have rationalised it now, and for the last six months or so, I have started walking a lot. I am pleased to find that I still have my residual fitness, so I am happy that I can easily tackle 15, 20, sometimes 25 mile yomps, time permitting - across all our lovely local countryside.
And do you know what? I almost think that now, it is preferable to running, in a way. I am walking a lot of my old running routes, but now at the reduced pace - I am seeing so many things that previously I have missed. Mainly the flaura and fauna, and all the wildlife.
This week, spring has truly sprung, and on Tuesday I was able to get out and do a monster walk - from noon until 7pm. Lovely, and got a tan on my 'ead too
Along the way, I saw and photographed a load of different birds, colourful butterflies, interesting flowers, and little fish in the river that caught my eye. The only things I recognised were swans, geese, robins and three beautiful roe deer who sprang out of a hedge right in front of me and bounced off across the field.
I had one of the best days out ever, and I really felt grateful for enjoying all this countryside and wildlife. I then realised that I have got to 40 years old, and not really appreciated what I have on my doorstep - and worse still, had no idea what 90% of the things I saw were?
So - apologies for the rambling nature of the post - getting to the point, I would like to learn about different butterflies, birds, fish and countryside trees and flowers. But I don't know the best way to go about doing that, for the complete novice?
I tried to Google things whilst I was out, but often I had no signal obviously, and when I did, the bright sunshine made it difficult to see the screen, and anyway, Google returns about a million things and it was a ball ache trying to pin down what I had seen. Next to useless, basically.
Question is - could the wildlife experts on PH point me to some beginners guides - probably books which I can buy and take with me as a ready reference? Or whatever - I have no idea where to start really.
I would just like to identify what I see, and read up a bit about whatever it is. Thanks in advance for you help - and it would be interesting to hear if many of you guys go out and do the same sort of thing really?
Cheers!
So, after suffering the trauma of being told by my Consultant, after my second knee operation, that I MUST give up running at the age of 39 - I went into a bit of a sulk for a while, and just stopped exercising altogether. Despite having two lovely bicycles, I lost interest in those too - and any of my friends who suggested 'gym' or 'swimming' were met with a reply of disdain! Looking back, the loss of being able to do something I had taken for granted for years hit me harder than I appreciated, and I possibly should have even sought a bit of help or counselling at the time.
Anyway - I have rationalised it now, and for the last six months or so, I have started walking a lot. I am pleased to find that I still have my residual fitness, so I am happy that I can easily tackle 15, 20, sometimes 25 mile yomps, time permitting - across all our lovely local countryside.
And do you know what? I almost think that now, it is preferable to running, in a way. I am walking a lot of my old running routes, but now at the reduced pace - I am seeing so many things that previously I have missed. Mainly the flaura and fauna, and all the wildlife.
This week, spring has truly sprung, and on Tuesday I was able to get out and do a monster walk - from noon until 7pm. Lovely, and got a tan on my 'ead too
Along the way, I saw and photographed a load of different birds, colourful butterflies, interesting flowers, and little fish in the river that caught my eye. The only things I recognised were swans, geese, robins and three beautiful roe deer who sprang out of a hedge right in front of me and bounced off across the field.
I had one of the best days out ever, and I really felt grateful for enjoying all this countryside and wildlife. I then realised that I have got to 40 years old, and not really appreciated what I have on my doorstep - and worse still, had no idea what 90% of the things I saw were?
So - apologies for the rambling nature of the post - getting to the point, I would like to learn about different butterflies, birds, fish and countryside trees and flowers. But I don't know the best way to go about doing that, for the complete novice?
I tried to Google things whilst I was out, but often I had no signal obviously, and when I did, the bright sunshine made it difficult to see the screen, and anyway, Google returns about a million things and it was a ball ache trying to pin down what I had seen. Next to useless, basically.
Question is - could the wildlife experts on PH point me to some beginners guides - probably books which I can buy and take with me as a ready reference? Or whatever - I have no idea where to start really.
I would just like to identify what I see, and read up a bit about whatever it is. Thanks in advance for you help - and it would be interesting to hear if many of you guys go out and do the same sort of thing really?
Cheers!
I've always been into wildlife and natural things but one day I rode a fast bike. Then I became a petrol head and it's true, I love powerful engines. They aren't relaxing though. Armed with a bit of information a country stroll for say 5-6 mi8les can be one of the most relaxing things going. Do 8 miloes or 10, who cares. Take in a country pub to ;-)
As for a good book, this is good:
Collins complete British Wildlife. ISBN 0 583 33638.8
I bought a copy for 50p but you'll still find deals on amazon.
Right now, I'd look out for butterflies as they're waking up :-)
Cars, engines, casino's work etc are fun but nature's the real deal. Many people don't know whats on their doorstep unless it's Next or Matalan.
As for a good book, this is good:
Collins complete British Wildlife. ISBN 0 583 33638.8
I bought a copy for 50p but you'll still find deals on amazon.
Right now, I'd look out for butterflies as they're waking up :-)
Cars, engines, casino's work etc are fun but nature's the real deal. Many people don't know whats on their doorstep unless it's Next or Matalan.
"Rambling nature" of your post! - booooooooooooooom tssssssssssssssh.
If you can find some of the "observers book" series, they are pocket sized.
http://www.observerbooks.co.uk/informationsource/i...
If you can find some of the "observers book" series, they are pocket sized.
http://www.observerbooks.co.uk/informationsource/i...
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Mainly the flaura and fauna, and all the wildlife.
Cheers!
Fauna IS wildlife!Cheers!
Seriously, I get this. Currently aching from yesterdays "jaunt" with the kids I work with.
We do one a week at least during term (although they tend to be at night) then more in the hols.
I think you need a guide, someone who knows the local area and spotting sites? Even if only for one trek, to start you off.
There is probably a local walking club, or nature reserve, might help you out?
Or get some mates together to play "foxes and hounds" like we did yesterday...
Just came across this topic-after returning from a five kilometer walk local to me here inside the Ring ,accompanied part of the way by a couple of Pine Martins!
Always had a very high interest in wildlife, and as Collins books are very handy to carry with you, its a handy addition to anyone as a quick reference guide.Have fun.
Always had a very high interest in wildlife, and as Collins books are very handy to carry with you, its a handy addition to anyone as a quick reference guide.Have fun.
Observer books are great, often pocket size. You'll soon start recognising different birds, insects, flowers etc. Sometimes taking a photo to look up later can work.
Enjoy your walks, if you like company there are often rambling groups to join and between the different people you'll learn what's around.
Enjoy your walks, if you like company there are often rambling groups to join and between the different people you'll learn what's around.
As suggested above, maybe drop in at a local centre. Perhaps there's a place near you where they have a bird watching centre and people that can let you look through a pair of binocs.
Whereabouts in the country are you located? I could do a quick search of good places to start or others may know?
Whereabouts in the country are you located? I could do a quick search of good places to start or others may know?
As a family we had the Oxford Guides - Oxford Book of Birds, Oxford Book of Insects etc, though they don't seem to be in print now.
For plants I recommend Wild Flowers of Britain by Roger Phillips: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Flowers-Britain-Photo...
For plants I recommend Wild Flowers of Britain by Roger Phillips: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Flowers-Britain-Photo...
I don't think much of this at all, people should be looking at small screens whilst they walk along and big screens when they are at home. Browsing forums or perhaps playing minecraft.....
The funny thing is you will have to look to see them. If do plane spotting like I do from my back garden in Sevenoaks, yes a bit weird but I am next to a circling point for Heathrow, I see lots of buzzards. They are just the best ever to watch soaring calling to each other. Apart from golden eagles etc..
Even on the smaller scale just lie in the garden ans watch some soil. Mini beasts.. or creepy crawlies as we called them in the politically incorrect 1970's. It's brilliant.
Even better if I was lying alongside Michaela Strachan and Kate Humble of course
The funny thing is you will have to look to see them. If do plane spotting like I do from my back garden in Sevenoaks, yes a bit weird but I am next to a circling point for Heathrow, I see lots of buzzards. They are just the best ever to watch soaring calling to each other. Apart from golden eagles etc..
Even on the smaller scale just lie in the garden ans watch some soil. Mini beasts.. or creepy crawlies as we called them in the politically incorrect 1970's. It's brilliant.
Even better if I was lying alongside Michaela Strachan and Kate Humble of course
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