Five budding naturalists have co-written a book about fitting in with their surroundings.

The book, called Neria, was co-written by Noakes Grove Wild Child Club members, led by wildlife expert Dr David Corke.

The Wild Child Club in Sewards End began after the outbreak of Covid-19 to give youngsters hands-on outdoor education in nine acres of farmland and woodland.

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David said: "With Neria and the Wild Child group, I'm trying to give children the same opportunities that I had 70-or-so years ago, when I was their age."

The book is set in France where its characters see two worlds collide: a boy under a Covid-19 lockdown - Édouard - meets Neria, a Stone Age girl who knows more about nature than he does.

David said: "We - the children and I - set this book in the Covid-19 pandemic because they were suffering a lockdown themselves.

"Amid the winter lockdown, we couldn't gather at Noakes Grove, so the children had to influence the storyline on Zoom.

"It seemed sensible to set it in the lockdown."

David added that it was important to reflect on how children's relationship with nature has changed over time.

He said: "Children do not have the same relationship with nature that I did when I was eight or nine."

Saffron Walden Reporter: Leo with a beating net, looking for caterpillars and spiders which live in an oak tree. Picture: Will DurrantLeo with a beating net, looking for caterpillars and spiders which live in an oak tree. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Ashton hands Dr David Corke an insect. David, who has previously taught at the universities of East London and Kent, is a wildlife expert. Picture: Will DurrantAshton hands Dr David Corke an insect. David, who has previously taught at the universities of East London and Kent, is a wildlife expert. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Walden Countryside Wild Child club search for moths in their moth trap. Picture: Will DurrantThe Walden Countryside Wild Child club search for moths in their moth trap. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

To write the book, David called on the support of five Wild Child helpers: Leo, Mattia, Kalevi, Noah and Ashton.

David said: "I am proud of the children for contributing.

"It's so different for me to write a book like Neria because my books in the past have been about natural history."

Leo, who contributed to the book, said: "I really enjoyed writing the book with David and telling stories over Zoom.

"Now, we have a record of lockdown.

"When we were in lockdown, I missed looking for mice and caterpillars on Noakes Grove most."

Saffron Walden Reporter: A wood mouse captured in humane traps at Noakes Grove. They are released straight back into the wild. Picture: Will DurrantA wood mouse captured in humane traps at Noakes Grove. They are released straight back into the wild. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Dr David Corke said he is trying to give children the outdoors opportunities he had when he was a boy. Picture: Will DurrantDr David Corke said he is trying to give children the outdoors opportunities he had when he was a boy. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Storytelling is one of several activities for children at the Wild Child Club, organised by Walden Countryside.

David encourages the children to hunt for wildlife, look for caterpillars in trees and search for mice or voles in hedgerows at Noakes Grove.

The children call on David - who once taught conservationists studying at the universities of East London and Kent throughout his career - for advice on identifying and caring for the animals.

Noakes Grove is also home to kestrels, several sheep, and 14 lambs who were born this year.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Noakes Grove is home to 14 new lambs, all of whom were born this year. Picture: Will DurrantNoakes Grove is home to 14 new lambs, all of whom were born this year. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Lambs, ewes and kestrels in the nestbox at Noakes Grove. Picture: Will DurrantLambs, ewes and kestrels in the nestbox at Noakes Grove. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

Saffron Walden Reporter: A wood mouse at Noakes Grove, Sewards End. Picture: Will DurrantA wood mouse at Noakes Grove, Sewards End. Picture: Will Durrant (Image: Archant)

The sheep live under the care of volunteer shepherds.

Peter Savic, Walden Countryside's director said: "The sheep here look after the grass more naturally.

"For me, the major draw is the scenery.

"We keep it as natural as we can, and we regularly see or hear muntjac, squirrels, kestrels and spotted woodpecker."

He added education - for children and adults - is central to the Noakes Grove project.

Peter said: "Education is very important. Things here change all the time - in the classroom it's always the same.

"Here, it's different from this week to next week."

Children's changing relationship with nature was highlighted during a 2020 Natural England survey.

The survey found 70 percent of children want to spend more time outside with friends after coronavirus.

The survey also found 83 percent of children said being in nature makes them happy.

Neria is on sale at Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre and Hart's Books.