Nick Baker nature Q&A - plus win a copy of The Complete Naturalist!

hello Nick, I was just wondering if there are any animals you wish you hadn't set eyes on? I kno0w you've encountered some weird and wonderful ones over the years, but are there any that truly made you shudder? Thank you.

Hi Nick
We've had loads of wood lice come into our house recently. Even found some in the upstairs bathroom?! Any idea what's enticing them indoors?

My garden is a haven for mini beasts and abounds in bees and butterflies - great for my two young grandsons who are avid bug watchers. Unfortunately my attempts at attracting garden birds have had to be abandoned because of my neighbours' marauding cats - three or four of them at least think that my bird feeders are there to attract a tasty tit for lunch or a robin for tea. Do you have any suggestions for (humane) ways of deterring cats? I should say that I have tried many of the usual deterrents without success.

We used to hear cuckoos,( one of the few bird calls I recognise!) quite regularly near the local canal, but haven't heard them at all for several years.
Are they getting rarer?

Hello Nick, My father and grandfather encouraged a love of nature in me from a very early age. I would love to pass that passion on to my grandchildren but so far they do not seem very interested. Have you any suggestions as to how I could encourage them.

My 2 youngest grandsons would love this book!They are home-schooled and their mom is often to be found with them in the woods up to their knees in mud!Or on a beach,inspecting the rockpools.
I would like to ask you Nick if you have any tips for home-schoolers about lessons in fields rather than in classrooms?

Hello Nick,
My grandson is besotted with all things insect-y, so your book sounds just the thing! he keeps all sorts of things in his room, courtesy of a very understanding Mother, the latest is a jar of larve that will soon be butterflies for him to release, and there are dishes of water with tadpoles in them all over the garden.Did you start off with these humble beginnings into nature as a child?