Peter Orchard

I first became interested in nature and wildlife some 35 years ago whilst on holiday in Wales. At first I was only interested in birds and I struggled to identify what I was seeing when out and about.
A WEA course in 1979 on bird watching changed all that as it explained to me that there were underlying principles to be taken in to consideration when bird watching and it was not a case of trying to match what I had seen to pictures in books.
In 1984 I visited a field studies centre on the Isle of Skye and that was a real eye opener for me. During the stay we looked at everything from mammals (especially otters) to lichens, discussed their features and life styles. I went a bird watcher and came back a naturalist!
We then met a couple through the Southampton Natural History Society who were passionate about wildlife and so, so knowledgeable. We became good friends and they taught us so much before they passed away, both in the early years of the new millennium.
These people have not only taught me about nature but also the importance of having teachers and mentors who can guide your developing knowledge and enhance it. Now, having retired from work, I would like to repay these people who helped me by passing on what I learned from them to others.