Take care of our world

Teaching children about the environment and nature inculcates a certain love and respect for the environment. It does not matter how wide or up-to date your TV is when habitats are being destroyed around you.

Without care and prper controls, corporations grow wealthier and their effects on nature are ignored.

Does anyone care that the habitats of orangutans and tigers are disappearing?

Or that sparrows are decreasing in number in the UK?

Bee numbers have declined worldwide. Is it because bee keepers are too greedy and taking too much honey for profit. The bees are fed on sugar water instead. Is this making the bees less healthy and more prone to viruses?

Baby birds and eggs in a nest are unforgettable

Taking a holiday or weekend break in the country at times other than summer holidays gives children the opportunity to see birds nesting, lambs frolicking in fields and trees in blossom. May is a good time for a holiday and children in Britain have a half term holiday at the end of May.

• Rent country cottages for half term.
• Log cabin holidays tend to be based in the countryside and are ideal for family breaks.

Bird watching

Bird watching is not just a pastime for older people, children can enjoy spotting and identifying birds out in the wild. The best way to learn about birds is to visit a nature reserve or woodland and tick them off on a sheet.

Parks can also be a good location for first learning about our common birds such as blackbirds and sparrows. Most people take the children to feed ducks in park which is a good introduction to wildlife and children learn a little about their habitat and how to behave with them.

There are plenty of locations to feed swans and geese. Swans are protected by British law and many riversides have a resident flock of swans.

There are also swan sanctuaries to visit such as Abbotsbury in Dorset which is home to hundreds of swans. There is also a visitor centre where people can learn more about swans of various types such as mute swans.

Coastal regions and reservoirs are wonderful
for indentifying waders.

Safaris in Britain and Ireland

The best time to see animals in Britain and Ireland is after nightfall. Go to any remote corner of countryside and it is amazing what is possible to see; swooping owls, deer, wild cats, foxes, rabbits, badgers and more.

Visit the wildernesses or Scotland or the countryside of Wales for satisfying nocturnal safaris. Children will think of them as a great adventure. Take torches to attract moths.

Self catering holidays in wildlife rich areas

Wild ponies wander freely around the New Forest, Dartmoor and Bodmin in Cornwall. Book a cottage holiday in these locations to see the ponies.

Go to the Scottish Highlands to see herds of deer, osprey and eagles. Scotland is also home to red squirrwls and otters. There are seala on coastal beaches and fish ladders for salmon to climb, all good topics for young minds. Birds of prey can be spotted in all national parks and many rural areas.

Take a look at cottages in rural locations perfect for spotting wildlife.