Seen but not heard: Britain's nature knowledge gap

The distant hoot of an owl at dusk; the gentle cooing of a wood pigeon drifting through the trees; leaves rustling beneath your feet on a woodland walk...

Experiencing nature isn't just about what we can see. It's about slowing down and engaging all our senses; listening to birdsong, spotting wildlife, breathing in fresh countryside air and appreciating the sights and sounds that make the great outdoors so special. After all, some of the best family adventures begin with a simple question: "What was that noise?"

New research from holidaylodges.co.uk – based on a OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK parents with children aged 7-17 – suggests Britain's relationship with nature may be becoming increasingly visual. While children can identify 94% of wildlife they can see, they correctly identify just 61% of wildlife they can hear. At the same time, children spend an average of 3.35 hours a day on screens, while fewer than one in ten spend time in nature every day. 

The findings raise an interesting question: are we experiencing nature through all our senses, or are we increasingly seeing it as an image rather than an experience?

Britain experiences nature through sight, not sound

People still recognise nature when it's presented like a photograph. But they're much less able to identify nature when they encounter it the way nature is experienced – through sound. The strongest finding from the research isn't that children struggle to identify wildlife. In fact, quite the opposite is true. When shown images, children demonstrated an impressive familiarity with Britain's wildlife and natural landscapes, correctly identifying 94% of wildlife and nature they could see.

The highest-scoring visual results included:

• Deer (98%)
• Bluebell (96%)
• Ladybird (95%)
• Red squirrel (95%)
• Oak tree (94%)

However, once sight was removed and hearing became the test, performance dropped significantly. 

When asked to identify wildlife sounds, children recognised:

• Crow (65%)
• Fox (57%)
• Tawny owl (50%)
• Wood pigeon (41%)

Recognition of the tawny owl remained low across all age groups, with only around half of children able to identify the UK's most iconic owl call. Teenagers showed the strongest connection to wildlife sounds, with 56% of 11-17-year-olds recognising a wood pigeon call, compared with 41% of under-7s.

This suggests that while nature remains highly recognisable as an image, familiarity with the sounds of the natural world may be less developed. This is particularly interesting because nature is rarely experienced through sight alone. The sounds of birdsong, rustling leaves and wildlife calls are often what make outdoor adventures so memorable.

Nature as an image versus nature as an experience

One of the most interesting findings from the research is not that children are disconnected from nature. Instead, the results suggest nature may increasingly be encountered as an image rather than as a fully immersive experience. 

Today's families spend much of their day engaging with visual content. Social media platforms, streaming services, online entertainment and gaming all place a strong emphasis on what we see.

The wider findings support this idea. Children showed extremely high recognition of well-known personalities and characters, with 97% recognising Ronaldo and 96% able to identify figures such as Mario, Paddington and Mr Beast. This doesn't mean children are less interested in nature. Rather, it highlights how familiar they are with the visual content they encounter every day. Taken together, the findings suggest nature remains highly recognisable when presented visually, while opportunities to experience wildlife through sound and outdoor exploration may be becoming less common.

What the findings may tell us about modern family life

Modern life is increasingly screen based. The survey found that children spend an average of 3.35 hours per day on screens, while nearly one in four (23%) spend five or more hours online every day.

Parents reported similar habits, spending an average of 3.54 hours per day on screens, with 28% spending five or more hours daily. At the same time, fewer than one in ten children spend time in nature every day.

While the findings do not prove a direct relationship between screen use and wildlife knowledge, they are consistent with broader lifestyle trends that may be reducing opportunities to engage with nature through everyday outdoor experiences. After all, recognising the sound of a tawny owl or wood pigeon is rarely something we learn from a screen. More often, it comes from spending time outdoors, exploring nature reserves, enjoying countryside walks and taking the time to notice the world around us.

For many parents and grandparents, some of their favourite childhood memories involve building dens, spotting wildlife, riding bikes, climbing trees or spending long days outdoors with friends. The findings may resonate because they highlight how easy it is for those simple experiences to be replaced by screens and busy modern routines.

A growing generational nature knowledge gap?

The research also uncovered a striking difference between generations. Just 10-14% of 18 to 24-year-olds correctly identified a tawny owl call, compared with 41-68% of adults aged over 65. This means younger adults were up to five times less likely than pensioners to recognise one of Britain's most iconic wildlife sounds.

While there are many possible reasons for this difference, the findings suggest younger generations may be growing up immersed in digital culture while having fewer opportunities to develop familiarity with the sounds of the natural world through everyday outdoor experiences.

They also highlight the important role outdoor experiences can play in bringing generations together. Whether it's grandparents sharing their knowledge of birdsong, helping children spot wildlife or enjoying a countryside break together, time spent outdoors can create meaningful memories across generations.

Five simple ways to reconnect with nature as a family

The encouraging news is that reconnecting with nature doesn't require major lifestyle changes. Often, it's the simplest experiences that have the greatest impact. Swapping even a small amount of screen time for outdoor adventures can help families build stronger connections with the natural world while creating meaningful memories together.

Go on a wildlife listening walk

Instead of focusing on what you can see, spend time identifying the sounds around you. Birds, insects, wind through the trees and flowing water can all become part of the adventure. Turn it into a family challenge and see who can identify the most sounds during the walk.

Discover outdoor adventures together

Regular visits to local woodlands, parks, nature reserves and outdoor attractions can help children build familiarity with wildlife throughout the seasons. Whether it's spotting a squirrel in the trees, following a forest trail or tackling a treetop adventure, outdoor experiences encourage children to engage with nature in a fun and memorable way.

Roberta Antonaci, RSPB Youth Mobilisation Manager, said:

"Connecting with nature and feeling part of the natural world has enormous benefits for our wellbeing, particularly for young people. At a time when around one in three 18–24-year-olds report symptoms consistent with poor mental health, spending time outdoors can play an important role in supporting emotional wellbeing. Research shows that time in nature can help reduce anxiety, boost mood and promote a sense of calm. 

"It's encouraging to see growing numbers of Gen Z embracing activities such as birdwatching and developing a deeper appreciation for wildlife. At the RSPB, we're seeing this first-hand through the rapid growth of our TikTok community, the work of our Youth Council, collaborations with young nature creators, and initiatives such as free access to RSPB nature reserves for 16–24-year-olds.

"Activities that explore our connection to nature have a powerful impact.

"Whether it's identifying birdsong, spotting native trees, or simply spending time together outside, even short breaks in nature can help families disconnect from screens, reconnect with each other, and build a stronger relationship with the natural world.

"On a clinical level, our Nature Prescriptions project is demonstrating that nature connection has the capability to improve physical and mental wellbeing. The project directly trains healthcare professionals so they can encourage their patients/clients to use nature in a range of ways to support their recovery.

"Early trials of the Nature Prescriptions project showed that 74% of patients said they’d benefited from their prescription and 91% of prescribing healthcare professionals said they’d continue to offer RSPB Nature Prescriptions.   

"The links between nature and wellbeing are well proven – and a pastime like bird-watching has an almost meditative quality to it, as it encourages you to be absolutely in the moment, concentrating on what’s immediately around you. A means of shutting out the wider noise of both the external world and our sometimes-busy minds.”

Encourage curiosity

Ask children what they can hear, smell and feel as well as what they can see. Encouraging them to engage with the world around them in different ways can help create a deeper connection with nature.

"I recently spent a weekend away with my family in North Yorkshire and it really highlighted how valuable time outdoors can be. One of our favourite days was at Dalby Forest, where the kids spent hours listening out for different sounds and excitedly trying to spot the wildlife around them.

 

"Between exploring the forest, taking on Go Ape and simply spending time together outdoors, we created some brilliant family memories. And, as an added bonus, all that fresh air meant everyone slept very well by the end of the day, parents included!

Jessica McMonagle, Regional Marketing Manager at holidaylodges.co.uk

Rediscover nature with a countryside lodge break

Sometimes, the best way to reconnect with nature is to step away from everyday routines and spend time outdoors. Whether it's waking to birdsong, exploring woodland trails or spotting wildlife together, a countryside lodge break offers families the chance to slow down and experience nature in a more meaningful way.

Many of our lodges are set in beautiful woodland and rural locations, making it easy to swap screen time for fresh air, outdoor adventures and quality time together. For older children, they're also a great base to explore nature-rich surroundings and enjoy a little more independence.

Looking for inspiration? Explore our guide to the best forest holidays in the UK, browse our collection of family-friendly lodges, or unwind after a day outdoors in one of our lodges with hot tubs beneath the stars.

Methodology

This research was commissioned by holidaylodges.co.uk and conducted by OnePoll.

A nationally representative survey of 1,000 UK respondents was undertaken, comprising adult parents of children aged 7-17 and their child. The survey explored attitudes towards nature, wildlife recognition, screen time and outdoor activities.

Written by Jessica McMonagle

Regional Marketing Manager

Proud Northumbrian and Scotland lover who enjoys inspiring holidays to the beautiful North of England.