LONDON (Reuters) - Children's knowledge of wildlife comes a poor second to their ability to identify science fiction creatures such as Star Wars characters, according to a survey.

The National Trust (NT) poll revealed that while only just over half of children knew what an oak leaf looked like, nine out of 10 were able to identify Jedi Grand Master Yoda.

Despite a three-fold increase in the nation's magpie population over the last 30 years, only 29 percent of children were able to recognise the black and white bird, while half could not tell the difference between a bee and a wasp


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They seriously can't tell the difference between a bee and a wasp? Have these children never left the house? Pathetic.

Bee and Wasp?

Weren't they a bounty hunting duo on tatooine?

Not too surprised.... I like my countryside walking, but there seems to be very few bees around like last year... Would say I have only seen about 10 bees this year!!!

Oh..., and 3 butterflies.

On the main topic, you have to wonder what use it is for a kid to know what a leaf specimen is. I know nothing about other languages as I never needed to. Why would children need to know what an oak tree is other than nationality for example?

I would say US kids would not fare any better. Kids don't go outside like they use to. They seem lost in the world of video games. Their parents don't care cause they think the kids are safer in the house. Also there isn't a lot of wildlife in suburbia. Sometimes time I wonder if they will notice when all the birds are gone.

Alot of the so called common uk wildlife is not so common anymore.


I used to remember seeing loads of butterflies and bee's and other things when I was a kid but now I hardly see them or ladybirds for that matter.

Sad but true, we replaced all our natural land with farm land (which is generally big empty fields). We have the lowest level of woodland in Europe and hence the least bio-diversity in Europe, possibly out side the polar regions.

I agree it is sad.


I don't blame kids for not knowing common wildlife because it's not so common anymore. The days are gone of dodging dragonflies swooping at your head or spotting ladybirds all over flowers munching on aphids. I don't blame kids for not going out anymore at all.

Of course these same kids consider spelling and grammar in a rather cavalier manner, too. One merely has to have a look-about on this very forum.

If it's not in a video game or on youtube, forget it!

I just got back from taking my kids to Yellowstone national park, and they learned a great deal about the natural world. I try to keep them interested in it by keeping them engaged in it. We go camping a lot and hiking or fishing. I am fortunate I suppose that I live where I do, and I feel for inner-city kids that have little clue about nature. It's tough for a kid in the Bronx, or downtown London to go on a nature hike.

Nah not if they live in down town London, that means they can afford to not only visit national parks, but buy a couple of them too.
My Mum was a social worker in town just outside Liverpool, in a place called Kirkby. It is maybe 20 minutes from the sea by train possibly less. Well over 90% of her clients had never seen the sea. It is rather sad, but they are not even interested. They showed so little ambition over getting as wasted as possible. Unless an appreciation for nature and wildlife is instilled at a young age most people don't gain one sadly. It is amazing how many people who live by me don't realise we have sharks and cetaceans commonly in the water just by the city centre.

Nature gives us so much beauty. I feel fortunate to have seen a bit of the world, as a child I found life so wonderful and exciting. Being outdoors was heaven. How sad this desire is disapearing.