New Survey Reveals British Children’s Favourite Wildlife
A new survey conducted by nature and climate charity Heal Rewilding has revealed that butterflies were the most loved British wild creatures by children, with birds coming in a close second.
The Spark survey, which asked people to recall their real-life experiences with wildlife as children, provides a unique insight into the past nature experiences, generational differences, and the changing abundance of the natural world.
Out of a list of common British wild creatures, 70% of respondents said butterflies were their favourite, followed by birds at 69% and ladybirds at 65%. Tadpoles and hedgehogs rounded out the top five with 58% and 54% respectively. In contrast, slugs came in last place, but were still remembered fondly by 31 people (9% of respondents). Surprisingly, spiders ranked second from the bottom, with 18% of respondents saying they loved them as children.
When asked to choose an overall favourite from their childhood memories, birds were the clear winner with 19% of the votes. Butterflies came in second with 11%, followed by hedgehogs, tadpoles, and ladybirds.
The survey also gave respondents the option to name any unlisted creatures they loved. Badgers were mentioned by 22 people, while others picked hares, red squirrels, and even leeches. One person mentioned the corncrake, a species that is now rare in the UK, highlighting the emotional attachment people have to these creatures.
Only 1.7% of respondents said they didn’t have a favourite wild creature as a child.
Nature-Rich Childhoods and Their Influencers
The survey also asked respondents who sparked their love of nature as a child, with 64% crediting a parent or guardian, 27% a grandparent, and 16% a teacher. Surprisingly, 39% of people said they discovered nature on their own as children.
One respondent, Marian, shared how her father, who was away at war, bonded with her through their shared love of birds:
“I was a wartime child and my father was away in the army. He had always loved birds [and] his letters told me all about the birds he had seen in the Middle East. After he came home, he taught me how to find nests and identify eggs. It was the way we bonded again, after all those wartime years.”
Nature in Schools: A Generational Shift
The survey results also highlight significant generational differences in how respondents encountered nature in school. While over 40% remembered having a nature table, younger respondents rarely recalled this experience. In contrast, those aged 20-39 were more likely to have had access to a school wildlife garden or outdoor area, suggesting a shift from indoor observation to designated outdoor spaces. 21% of respondents said their school had no space for nature at all.
From Abundance to Absence
Along with structured questions, respondents were also given the opportunity to share their personal stories, with over 900 comments being made. These stories reflected sadness, regret, and even anger at the loss of species, abundance, and access to wilder spaces where children once played.
Pippa, one respondent, shared her concern for the future, saying, “Even in the 35 years since I was a child, I have noticed that there is nowhere near as much wildlife. I feel sad [for] my kids.”
Another, Ruth, shared a memory of disturbing a hedge full of red admiral butterflies and the lasting impact it had on her:
“It really woke me to the glories of nature, and I am very sad that we have so ruined our country that children today will probably never see the same thing.”
Jan Stannard, co-founder and CEO of Heal, commented on the survey results, saying, “We were struck by how many of the stories were amusing, poignant, and sometimes heartbreaking because of the loss of so much of our wildlife. Together, the findings paint a rich picture of the spontaneous, abundant, and often intergenerational experiences that shaped people’s early relationships with wildlife.”
Stannard also emphasized the importance of providing more space for nature and ensuring access for all to wilder places, as encounters with everyday nature become more managed and formalized. The survey, which was open to anyone aged 10 and above, attracted mostly older respondents, with 83% aged between 40-79. This may reflect the audience who saw the survey, or it could point to a growing disconnect between younger generations and everyday nature.
The full results of The Spark survey can be found on the Heal Rewilding website.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.