Learn about British wildlife from your PC

The urban jungle may continue to grow and grow but there are still plenty of natural spaces to enjoy in Britain.

Millions of us have a real love of the outdoors and for the myriad birds and animals that thrive beyond our concrete labyrinths.

Whether it’s in your own back garden or the remote Welsh hillsides, every region of our country has something unique to offer animal lovers and birdwatchers.

But it may pay you to stay in before stepping out, as your computer can provide all sorts of ways to make your hobby more enjoyable and fruitful.

Here we explore the various ways to bring the rewarding pastime of animal and bird watching into the 21st century.

Stepping out
Many of us enjoy nature documentaries on television – from the traditional goodness of Wildlife on One to modern high-definition extravaganzas such as David Attenborough’s Planet Earth. But no TV programme, no matter how good, compares with getting out of doors and observing nature at first hand.

Even small urban gardens can be turned into complex mini-ecosystems filled with fascinating creatures. Learning more about your garden can not only satisfy a personal interest, but can also help you attract the birds and insects you want and build a better understanding of how seasons, for example, affect your garden.

To get an idea of just how diverse even a modest garden can be, head to the quaintly named A Small Wildlife Garden. Here, a garden measuring just 40x30 feet has been turned into a hive of wildlife activity.

A lot of this wildlife is of the insect variety, which some people can be quite squeamish about. But much of this fear is founded on a lack of knowledge. Address this and you might find yourself compelled by the curious creatures just down the garden path.

Family fun
Learning about a garden’s ecology isn’t just for adults. Kids are often fascinated by the creepy crawlies in a typical garden, and encouraging that fascination will give two-dimensional learning a practical edge, and provide a foundation for getting involved in nature as a family.

The Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives site is a fun, colourful and educational resource for young ones interested in the natural world. With sections labelled ‘Do’, ‘Find’ and ‘Create’, the emphasis is very much on being proactive and getting involved, and the theme is continued through quizzes, games and even a feature that allows you to keep an online diary.

Observing wildlife is only possible if it’s there in the first place, and attracting animals, birds and insects to your garden involves more than trial and error. The BBC’s website contains extensive information on all aspects of nature and wildlife, but its Garden Wildlife section in particular has a wealth of practical tips and advice about attracting birds and other wildlife to your garden.