Very true, young children escpecially are often very open to new things and the countryside can be made into a very fun place to be.

I also think that many parents today are (understandably) very worried about letting their children play in the countryside on their own, which may not have been the case so much in the past. There is a lot of concern over childrens safety in the woods, some of it justifiable and some not, and where they might love to play in the past, children have often had it drilled into them that they should be scared there now.

I don't know where I got my interest from cos no-one else in my family was interested. My dad left when I was 2 so I never knew him(tho I inherited my musical abiliy from him I reckon), and my mumwas too busy with us kids(she had 7 to raise)
I was just so different to everyone else at school, wasnt into football at all but would rather sit under the big weeping willow with a book or count the daisies and daddy long legs in the grass!

I used to make my own nets and got pond dipping(well,canal dipping ) and still would if I had the time!
I'm hoping my kids get an interest as they grow;3 year old Katie loves animals already, especially spiders(cant think where she got that from...) and will even pick up woodlice and bring them to me!

Is it something your born with you think? I certainly had no guiding influences when I was little!

It would be interesting to know if anyone's ever done a proper study. My guess is that people who are 'quiet' tend to like roaming the woods and whatnot. I would suspect that most of us here don't indulge a lot in loud music--we would rather escape from noise. Born with it? Hard to say...but a love of learning would certainly be key.

Kingfisher

Well, actually, tho I do like classical music I will also listen to stuff like Nine inch Nails or Depeche Mode at times!

Ah, the key is that you listen to classical music . I think most of us indulge in rock and roll every once in a while--even me!

I've never listened to Britney Spears though .

Kingfisher

I try to avoid her if I can,not difficult a i don't have a radio!

I try to avoid Britney Spears too, her music isn't the most "natural" sounding and doesn't really get me in the mood to go outside for a walk!

I was never that keen but she has really gone down in my estimations of late. Taking her young daughter with her to a night club,ridiculous. The kids have gone to her other half and he's just as bad! I really feel for these celebrity kids,they have no choice but to go down the same path as their parents!

In regards to whether you are just born to like something I think that it's a bit of both - some people are born with an interest in something while others gain the interest through friends or family. I know for me it was a bit of both, and even if my family and friends didn't have the same interests I'm sure I would still be as keen on wildlife and the environment as I am today.