My countryside: Philippa Forrester

'My eldest son, Fred, aged 12, recently discovered an owl pellet, which he brought home and dissected. It may sound strange but I got a real buzz from that. My other boys, Gus, nine, and Arthur, five, are equally interested in wildlife. Seeing them share my passion for the countryside is very special.

'I get my love of nature from my mother. Growing up, I would help her on her allotment or in the tiny garden we had at our home on the edge of Winchester in Hampshire. At weekends, I headed out to explore fields and woodland, but particularly the area’s chalk streams. I gathered tadpoles every year and enjoyed looking for minnows, tiddlers, trout and even otters. I’ve been drawn to rivers ever since.

'When my career took me to London, I lived as close to the Thames as I could. It was cheating really – I never did city things for the 12 years that I was there. Instead, I would try to escape the crowds and buildings by walking along the riverbank. I also volunteered at the St Tiggywinkles wildlife hospital near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. I always knew that I would return to the countryside – especially when I had children; I wanted them to experience its space and freedom.

'Somerset is where I now call home – my husband, the wildlife photographer Charlie Hamilton James, grew up here. Our house is on the river where he spent his youth watching for kingfishers. We always joked that we would know where to move to because we’d see a kingfisher fly past the front door – so when that happened on the first viewing, I took it to be a very clear sign.

'Our waterways are corridors through farmland, villages and towns – not just for fish but also the many bird species that visit for a rest and a drink during their migration. Rivers support huge amounts of wildlife – in spring, I can see ducklings bob past from the kitchen window, while now I’m looking for rails and coots.

'Earlier this year, I spotted my first bittern. It was well camouflaged in the reeds at Slimbridge Wetland Centre in Gloucestershire. I’ve always wanted to see one and, knowing how rare the species is (it’s one of the most threatened in the UK) made the sighting all the more exciting.
 
'It concerns me that many of today’s children are becoming disconnected from nature. Human beings are designed to be active, outside and interacting with plants and animals. I feel much happier after a walk with our ginger border collie, Dave. My boys often moan about venturing out on cold, wet days, but within minutes they’re having a wonderful time.

'My favourite walks and cycle rides are long with a stop-off at a pub. When Charlie and I were in Devon filming On the Trail of Tarka for BBC Natural World in 2006, we explored the Tarka Trail, a 30-mile path that runs from Braunton to Meeth, along old railway lines and the River Torridge. We’d share a plate of chips at The Puffing Billy, a former train station, along the way.

'At home, Charlie’s the cook. He does an amazing roast with locally reared meat and vegetables from the weekly farmers’ market. We get our eggs from our flock of ten rescue chickens – I’m a patron of the British Hen Welfare Trust. It’s rewarding to see them scratching at the grass as they remember their natural instincts.

'I travel the world for work but never cease to be amazed by how much Britain has to offer. We’ve taken the family to Shetland and have spent days watching the thriving otter populations there, or standing on the cliffs captivated by the sight of killer whales hunting. As a nation, we need to appreciate what we have right under our noses.'

Find out more about Philipppa's wildlife work at www.halcyonmedia.org

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