h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Today is n for nature.

I suppose my interest in natural history and conservation goes back to the time I moved to outer London. That may sound strange but we lived in a leafy suburb and had a big oak tree at the end of the garden. So I started taking an interest in birds. Blue tits , blackbirds and robins were among the first, but we had more unusual birds too, like great spotted woodpeckers. I also remember going to Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey, where my father kept his boat. There were clouds of lapwings on the marshy fields and even marsh harriers. I think this area subsequently became an RSPB reserve.

Since we moved to Sussex, we've got involved with the friends of the local nature reserve. Sometimes we did conservation tasks, which involved a range of activities, from hauling rubbish out of a local pond to hedgelaying and coppicing. We also did a butterfly survey, which was a good stress-busting task, involveing walking around the reserve shouting 'comma' or 'common blue' .

There have been some gains for wildlife in the intervening period. Some birds of prey, like the red kite, have bounced back from the edge of extinction, and we've acquired a few newcomers, like the little egret. There seem to be more cowslips around than there used to be, perhaps because they cope with growing on roadside verges. But the general trend seems to be down. I haven't seen a missel thrush in ages and the lapwings I remember in flocks now seem to number twos or threes.

We need to look after our green places and, if possible, join them up.

[Amy P]

"We also did a butterfly survey, which was a good stress-busting task, involveing walking around the reserve shouting 'comma' or 'common blue' ."

That sounds like an enviable activity. I love butterflies. I grow plants that they're supposed to like. I don't see as many as I hoped.

I planted a buddleia but I only occasionally get butterflies.