Start of the journey
Why is the landscape of the British Isles so fascinating? Read Aubrey Manning's introduction to his quest to understand the landscapes we live in.
How did you become interested in the Natural World?
We had a small garden in Chiswick where I was born and I remember being fascinated by snails and ants, but it was with our move into the Surrey countryside near Windsor Park that I really became involved. There were fields next to our house with a stream running through. In secondary school a new master founded a scout troop and a friend and I began working for our 'Naturalist's Badge' - I was hooked!
How did you develop your own interest in the Natural World?
I began devouring natural history books - especially on bird behaviour and I knew I wanted to become a zoologist. I went up to University College, London (generally acknowledged to be the fount of all goodness!) to read zoology. Eventually I went on to Oxford to do research under Niko Tinbergen on animal behaviour which has always remained my first interest.
What advice would you give to someone becoming interested in the Natural World?
Just keep observing closely. One group, flowers or mosses, beetles or birds will particularly attract you. Get hold of an introductory book and begin identifying what's there locally. I remember so vividly that within a week of getting 'The Observer's Book of British Birds' I had clearly identified what then were exotic species to me - tree creeper, nuthatch, greenfinch, jay - which had always been there of course. You just need your eyes opened and the natural world begins to spring to life all around you.
Do you think we are largely unaware of how our landscape was formed?
Yes because we just take it for granted. Few of us get any geology at school. It sometimes comes in as a bit of geography, but lately geography, as she is taught, tries to align itself with the social sciences and is full of economics. I'm old fashioned and agree with the old line that 'geography is about maps!' It should become a key element of a wholistic education about the natural world and its history - landscape being our own familiar part of that story.
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Content last updated: 25/09/2003
