There are times in one’s life as a Naturalist that you remember more than anything else.

My abiding memory of the start of my love of wild flowers springs to mind. In 1987 I had just started active birding after a break of seven years, chasing girls and being foolish with alcohol.

By the July of 1987 birdwatching had become slower and without any conscious effort began to look for flowers. Of course I knew Alexanders Smyrnium olusatrum known incorrectly as Angelica but little else.. I had that eureka moment and bought a field guide that even today I use to the full. Soon I was searching the village of Kessingland and remember the satisfaction of identifying Herb Robert Geranuim robertianum by Coopers Barn and Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis. I had some training at school using the keys in the Clapham Tutin and Warburg Wild flower book which was almost all text but that training has stayed with me years. Soon I joined the Lowestoft Field Club and until 2007 enjoyed recording flowers.

I am now an active member within both the Wild Flower Society and the Botanical Society of the British Isle and may soon be on the council of both by the time you read this.

The former produces an annual diary of flowers and there are various branches you can reach as you reach that milestone number of species. All have to be in flower and it is a great way to find new species and become acquainted with those you study.

Since this 1987 period I now study all nature and there is always something to see every time I am out in the field.

Colin Jacobs

becclesnaturalist.blogspot.com