Well, I'm still a beginner - so much I've yet to see out there!

Where to go?

This is the easy bit. Information is so readily available on the internet. Well known bodies such as the RSPB, WWT and county Wildlife Trusts have sites giving details on where to go, what to see there and amenities (A visitor centre with fully equipped tea/coffee facilities is so welcome most of the year!). For local knowledge, RSPB local groups, mammal groups, etc, usually have itineries including trips with knowledgeable organisers. For those who like to strike out alone, I recommend looking at a set of books, "Where to watch birds in...." as these list numerous sites around an area. As birds do not exist in isolation, other wildlife is guaranteed at these places too.

Getting there

Car is obviously the most flexible. But even without one, it's possible to visit many reserves. Bus, rail and bike are good options. Be aware though, that due to their very nature, many reserves are off the beaten track and may be almost impossible to reach without a car or organised coach trip.

What to take

Enthusiasm, and the ability to watch and listen! Practically, I'd say plan for the worst case scenario, weatherwise. Even in Summer I take along a lightweight, water/windproof jacket. Winter expands this to include multi-layering thin clothes, finishing off with a quality fleece. A microfibre compact towel provides comfort too. If you're well off the beaten track, then a survival kit, first aid and preferably a mobile with gps would help. If your mobile lacks gps, but has bluetooth and can support symbian software, a small gps transmitter can be bought for less than £20.

How do I watch?

Tricky one this. I'm an insect buff, and as you can guess, most of these don't require a great deal of effort to see. Other creatures aren't so forthcoming. Even then, you won't need to put in miles of travelling to get views of many creatures. Bats are a great example. Pretty much any summer,dusk walk around water will generate several sightings. Stand by a pond as the sun descends and watch the bats perform almost impossible aerobatics. That same pond hours earlier could be used by numerous dragonflies. Hides tend to be placed over an excellent viewpoint for bird watching, but don't discount the areas around and between. We had a fox watch us for a few minutes on the path to the hide.

High on many peoples list is the exotic looking Kingfisher. How many hours do you need to spend in a hide to see one? Well, err, none actually. Where they're present, you can get many sightings just walking along the river. Usually just a flash of blue, but sometimes a lingering view of one sat on a perch. My favourite was a 20 foot dive to the river, emerging with a fish. Over the last four years, I've become almost blase about sightings, and in winter, expect my first view within 10 minutes of arriving at the river. See if any local river walks have got kingfishers, take a regular stroll and you'll soon get to see this magical bird.

Deer are a staple of Autumnwatch, elusive, hard to see creatures. Unless there's a deerpark nearby. Our Black Roe Deer at Trentham graze on a field next to the A34 and can be seen regularly. Other parks have deer so accustomed to human presence, they barely twitch as a car or walker go by. In Autumn, though, I'd advise no close encounters during the rut. Males and testosterone are not a good mix!

Take a dawn walk in a wood - and these are sometimes group organised. Spring heralds a great increase in the volume levels, as mating season approaches. Don't expect to know every call, but I've got many mp3 tracks of bird call on my phone for identification.

Above all else, get out, get close to nature and enjoy the outdoors!

Carl