Wildlife Watching

Wildlife is a continuing source of fascination for all of us. Some love to watch programmes about it, others read books and many like to be outside discovering it in person. However you enjoy wildlife there is no doubt that it is fascinating. Someone who would agree is Dan Rouse, wildlife lover and author who kindly took some time to answer the questions below and tell us more about The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching.

Why do you think it is important to show children how to watch wildlife as well as how to do it?

Patience and admiration is a great thing, but it is something we often learn later in life. Through encouraging children to watch wildlife, we allow them to dive into the world of wildlife rather than us interrupting it by interfering and getting too hands on. I want children to be part of the wildlife world and encouraging them to notice little things like how caterpillars munch leaves allow them to develop greater observation skills.

When did you first become aware of wildlife and want to work with it?

I have always been a nature-nut! At the age of 4 I wanted to protect and save wildlife, so myself and my dad build a nest box for the garden sparrows. From that moment I made it my life’s mission to protect wildlife and encourage people to think about it in their gardens – this turned into several feeding station, carefully picked flowers, nest boxes, live cameras – you name it and I will love it! I started working with wildlife at the age of 13 monitoring breeding waders nearby, and was employed as a wildlife educator at 16, Wildlife has been my life, my career and my passion!

Do you feel that every child should at least have the opportunity to engage with wildlife?

Absolutely! Wildlife is hugely accessible and it’s something that often is considered ‘less’ than some of the more modern mainstream things such as videogames and social media. But having seen first hand the faces of children who have never seen a lizard before or never spotted their own birds, it’s bittersweet as it should be something that is part of all our lives. We need sometimes need a little extra help to explore it. Through the books I write, and my work with WildSpace Project, I want children to be able to head outside and see birds, insects, mammals at all times.

What was your biggest challenge when writing this book? I imagine it was finding appropriately children-friendly language but were there any other challenges?

There’s a careful balance between including advanced knowledge and facts to inspire children, but not too much to make it alienating to a range of ages and abilities. One of my main passions is to make nature accessible, and I’m talking more about the colours and formation of pages to make them accessible for those with educational needs and that is something we consider with all my books.

Each section of the book follows the pattern ~ Information; Activity; Profiles. I found this to be very accessible. Why did you choose to present the information in this order?

The pattern is more of a journey. We want the children to be familiar with how they learn, which is also how they learn in schools etc. Getting to grips with new language and terminology first through the information parts, then onto an activity where they can put their new skills to the test, then finally onto the profiles where they can take their education further and familiarise themselves with the species they can discover through their activities. Reputation is a great tool in children and keeping that theme going throughout the books makes it a familiar and safe space to find what they are looking for in each chapter.

It's wonderful to encourage wildlife and engage with it. The book focuses on garden wildlife. Would you consider writing a book for those living in built-up areas without access to gardens?

Wildlife is found in a variety of different places, I’ve been careful throughout the book to use terminology such as ‘wildlife areas’ and using the term ‘garden’ loosely. It is something I would love to do! In my adult books I have included things such as gardening on balconies and using concrete spaces to build upwards to utilise that space. I would love to do a book on urban wildlife and city exploring especially for children!

Your style of writing and presentation is very encouraging for your readers. Have you worked with people who are unused to wildlife and does it help when putting a book together?

I have had many a day talking to very uninteresting parents.. but the children are absolutely overjoyed getting involved in wildlife activities! I currently work as a Wildlife Educator and work with communities and schools so often we have a mixture of abilities, ages and interests attending our wildlife events. Sometimes it is just a case of it is a daunting world to dive straight into it so with this book it was always a case of adding fun facts and engaging terminology to make it welcoming.

The suggested projects might need adult assistance. What tips do you have for young readers who would like their adults to assist?

The tips I have for children would be the same as adults. Make it fun! Start by explaining how and why we do something such as pond dipping or building a nest box, then have a go at a project as a team. There is something so rewarding seeing something you had created yourself being enjoyed by wildlife! Start small, then move onto larger projects – planting, nest boxes and wildlife walks are always great places to get yourselves excited by wildlife.

Do you have a favourite place to wildlife watch? How did find it and what's special about it?

I love the coast! I know, it isn’t one of the most accessible places to visit but there is something so wonderful being lost in your thoughts listening to the waves surrounded by wildlife. I just love that at different parts of the coast you can see something different – watching the waves you can see Dolphins, in the rocks you may see sea slugs or crabs, birds are always watching you and will be around cliffs.

My absolute favourite animal to watch for are dolphins or porpoise! Even to this day, I get a tingly feeling in my stomach when I glance my binoculars over a wave and see a little fin appear! But I also absolutely love bats and will spend hours in the evening sitting in my garden just watching the Pipestrelles flying around.

Do you have any funny stories from your own experiences of learning to wildlife watch that you could share with us?

Ohhh, how I have fallen! There are so many stories of me getting a tad too excited following wildlife and tripping over anything and everything, even my own feet! One of my finest moments, was walking on the coast with a group of 30 Year 5 pupils and I trip over the smallest stone and land on my bottom, they all laughed and I had to spend the day with a soggy rear-end! Just remember, we all have a moment and there is nothing to be embarrassed about, just laugh it off!

My thanks to Dan Rouse and to DK publishers for giving us the opportunity to share this Q&A and bring wildlife along with all its joys, to readers.