Wildlife: general interest Books

Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Swifts and Swallows is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.People all over Britain and Europe have long welcomed the arrival of swifts and swallows as a promise of summer being just around the corner. And with their similar long wings and dashing flight, it is perhaps understandable that we often confuse the two birds. After all, they have much in common: both feed on flying insects, both breed around buildings, and both are long-distance migrants that spend winter in Africa. But appearances can be deceptive. Swifts and swallows are completely unrelated birds that have adapted through evolution to survive in similar ways. In Spotlight: Swifts and Swallows, Mike Unwin reveals their fascinating lifestyles, explains how and why they have acquired their similarities, and ways in which we can help protect them. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the livesTable of ContentsMeet the Swift and the Swallow Ancestors and Relatives Built for Flight An Airborne Menu Born in a Tower Born in a Barn Globetrotters Life and Death Icons of Summer Protecting Swifts and Swallows Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Frogs and Toads is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct and detailed text written by an expert on these amphibians.They were bestowed with magical properties in folklore, they were sought after as ingredients of witches' broth, and they are comic characters that have invaded popular culture, from Kermit the Frog to Toad of Toad Hall. Frogs and toads are charismatic members of Britain's wildlife. But what do you really know about them?Scratch beneath the surface, and you will discover some of nature's weirdest creatures, amphibians whose ecology we are only now coming to understand. Spotlight Frogs and Toads is a compelling account of Britain's four native amphibian species: the Common Frog, the Pool Frog, the Common Toad and the rare and secretive Natterjack Toad. New research suggests that, in the next ten years, three out of four UK species are likely to be listed as threatened. Revealing a host of secrets, inTable of ContentsAmphibian Apparel Meet the Residents Life on Land Reproduction The Life Cycle Under Threat Frogs and Toads in Culture A Future for Frogs and Toads Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisThe definitive guide to Britain's stunning wildlife heritage, showcasing more than 475 walks through the Wildlife Trust's forest, heaths, moors and woods. Published in conjunction with the Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife Walks is a superb guide to more than 475 of the UK''s top nature reserves, all of them owned and managed by the unique network of Wildlife Trusts.Organised by region, each entry includes information on access and conditions, opening times, facilities, how to get there, and local attractions. Boxes highlighting special species of interest are dotted throughout the book. Illustrated throughout with many beautiful colour photographs and maps, Wildlife Walks is the only guide you''ll need to plan a great family day out.Trade ReviewScience is catching up to what nature lovers already know – that time in nature plays an essential role in physical and mental wellbeing. Access to nature-rich places is also crucial to conservation – we will not fight to save what we do not love, and we cannot love what we do not know. This dual role of protection and connection are why the Wildlife Trusts will always have my support. Their reserves are not only places of wildlife preservation and nature restoration, but gateways to a sense of ecological belonging. * Amy-Jane Beer *Take a walk through the Wildlife Trusts’ nature reserves with this handy guide that showcases some of our nation’s best forests, woodlands and coastal locations. * BBC Wildlife *Expect to be pointed towards interesting routes. * Countryman *Wildlife Walks is a companion to your discovery of nature across the UK. […] With details about everything you could need to plan a walk at each nature reserve, plus hundreds of beautiful photographs, you’re guaranteed to find your next happy place. * British Travel Journal *Wildlife Walks is an inspiring guide to more than 475 walks through The Wildlife Trusts’ nature reserves […] Whether you’re planning your next family day out, or are looking for your next adventure in the great outdoors, this is the perfect book to have on the shelf or in the car. * Countryside Magazine *The guide offers practical information on how to get there, facilities available on each route and walking time along with some inspirational photography and tips on how to engage with the natural world. * National Geographic Traveller *Each county is covered, with its best walks. Some are much longer, but each has a potential half-hour rate if you have not got the time -- John Miles * Birdwatching *Table of ContentsAbout the Wildlife Trusts The Countryside Code The Wildlife Trusts – Key Stats The Regions - South West - South East - East - East Midlands - West Midlands - North - Wales - Scotland - Northern Ireland Glossary Maps Index

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Book SynopsisThe ultimate guide to adventures in nature, this book is full of practical tips and ideas for ways to discover wildlife, as well as the importance of conservation.A naturalist''s equivalent to the Dangerous Book for Boys, this book includes tips on everything from beachcombing, snorkelling and building your own hedgehog hotel, to tree climbing, natural foods and how to make traps for insects and mammals. This hands-on guide to enjoying nature is filled with practical advice on how to get involved with wildlife. Focusing mainly on Britain and northern Europe, it''s packed with ideas for wildlife-watching and other activities in different habitats, including coast, mountains, heathland, garden, wetland, woodland and farmland. Alongside the practical advice on bushcraft and survival are suggestions on how to get close to nature through activities such as mountain-biking and climbing.Table of ContentsForeword by Monty Halls Introduction The Basics Forests Coast Mountains Freshwater Keeping Records Finding out More Index

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Book SynopsisFrom yaks and vultures to whales and platypuses, animals have played central roles in the history of British imperial control. The contributors to Animalia analyze twenty-six animals—domestic, feral, predatory, and mythical—whose relationship to imperial authorities and settler colonists reveals how the presumed racial supremacy of Europeans underwrote the history of Western imperialism. Victorian imperial authorities, adventurers, and colonists used animals as companions, military transportation, agricultural laborers, food sources, and status symbols. They also overhunted and destroyed ecosystems, laying the groundwork for what has come to be known as climate change. At the same time, animals such as lions, tigers, and mosquitoes interfered in the empire''s racial, gendered, and political aspirations by challenging the imperial project’s sense of inevitability. Unconventional and innovative in form and approach, Animalia invites new ways to consider thTrade Review“Animalia shows us how imperial power was both extended through and disturbed by the multiple entanglements of human/animal worlds. The elephants, lions, and tigers familiar to the imperial imagination jostle with mosquitoes, scorpions, and unicorns, offering a rich variety of animal engagements with empire, both for and against their would-be masters. An essential bestiary for our times.” -- Catherine Hall author of * Civilising Subjects. Metropole and Colony in the English Imagination, 1830–1867 *“With appealing quirkiness, Animalia introduces readers to the complex ways that humans' treatment of animals offers an informative and genuinely fascinating way of understanding how pervasive the impact of imperialism was and continues to be across the globe. Written with verve and elegance while conveying the surprising importance of all sorts of species to the imperial project, Animalia is an intriguing and exhilarating book.” -- Teresa Mangum, editor of * A Cultural History of Women in the Age of Empire *“Animalia is a charming and creative primer concerning the central role animals played in the British empire.... Inviting further research, the chapters are rich in ideas, themes, and postulations.” -- Miles Alexander Powell * Journal of Pacific History *“Animalia strives to be interdisciplinary not only in the theories and empirical evidence found in the individual contributions but also in the hybrid form of the volume.... Its playful form, fascinating stories, and nuggets of insight offer great potential to serve as a springboard for deeper interdisciplinary explorations.” -- John Soluri * Journal of Interdisciplinary History *“What sets Animalia apart from the rest is the playful and innovative way in which it tells animal stories.... Animalia is informative and encyclopedic and a must-have book for anyone who loves and studies animals.” -- Kaori Nagai * Journal of British Studies *“[Animalia] presents succinct, researched commentaries on a number of the animal species brought under imperial control and thereby reconstitutes the bestiary compendium. . . . This is an A-to-Z compendium for the twenty-first century that points back to the historical taxonomy as it moves forward to trouble its purpose, often by revealing the porous boundaries between species and the instability of ‘animalia’.” -- Peta Tait * Animal Studies Journal *Table of ContentsAcknowledgments Introduction: Animals, the Bestiary Form, and Disruptive Imperial Histories / Antoinette Burton and Renisa Mawani Some Ways to Read This Book A Is for Ape / Amy E. Martin B Is for Boar / Annaliese Claydon C Is for Cattle / Renisa Mawani D Is for Dog / Heidi J. Nast E Is for Elephant / Jonathan Saha F Is for Fox / George Robb G Is for Giraffe / Angela Thompsell H Is for Horse / Jagjeet Lally I Is for Ibis / Renisa Mawani J Is for Jackal (and Dingo) / Isabel Hofmeyr K Is for Kiwi / Tony Ballantyne L Is for Lion / Antoinette Burton M Is for Mosquito / Neel Ahuja N Is for North Atlantic Right Whale / Krista Maglen O Is for Okapi / Sandra Swart P Is for Platypus / Annaliese Claydon Q Is for Quagga / Harriet Ritvo R Is for Racoon / Daniel Heath Justice S Is for Scorpion / Antoinette Burton T Is for Tiger / Dane Kennedy U Is for Unicorn / Utathya Chattopadhyaya V Is for Vulture / Utathya Chattopadhyaya W Is for Whale / Jonathan Goldberg-Hiller X Is for Xerus / Utathya Chattopadhyaya Y Is for Yak / Peter Hansen Z is for Zebu / Michael A. Osborne Contributors Index

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Book SynopsisRare British Breeds is a book inspired by the Rare Breed Survival Trust Watchlist, which is published annually, listing the species of sheep, cattle, horses, pigs, goats and poultry (chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese) that are endangered in the United Kingdom. This information is gathered from breed societies and lists the number of breeding females alive, along with their conservation status. Each species, regardless of their origin, is unique to the UK, either through cross breeding or by evolution. There are good reasons for wanting to keep these breeds alive; not just the genetic makeup of these creatures which means many are able to survive and thrive in very formidable conditions - a prerequisite for enduring possible future environmental disasters. Once gone, these genes will never be able to be replaced. They have taken thousands of years to develop. The book looks at the history of every breed, with their evolutionary roots, development over time, exportation, cross breeding and changing relationship to mankind as farming techniques react to societal shifts. Their particular physical characteristics such as meat, wool, milk, eggs or ability to pull great weights are discussed as well as their conservation status and the national and international efforts being made to ensure their survival.

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Book SynopsisWilderness First Aid covers simple techniques to treat common injuries and sickness in a wilderness situation. This waterproof, folding guide includes great tips and techniques to help you be more comfortable while awaiting rescue or keep you mobile enough to effect self-rescue if required. Be smart, be safe, be skilled. Developed by noted survival expert and master woodsman Dave Canterbury, this is one of a 10-part series on survival skills. Made in the USA.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestseller • An artfully playful collection of unexpected and remarkable facts about animals, illustrated by Swedish artist Maja Säfström. Did you know that an octopus has three hearts? Or that ostriches can''t walk backward? Or that a group of owls is called a parliament, or that they have three eyelids?Sea otters hold hands in their sleep, bees never sleep, and penguins laugh when they''re tickled!This charming compendium contains over 100 pages of fascinating facts about the animal kingdom illustrated with whimsical detail.

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Book SynopsisMuch has changed with Iowa’s wildlife in the years 1990 to 2020. Some species such as Canada goose, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer that once were rare in Iowa are now common, and others like sandhill crane, river otter, and trumpeter swan are becoming increasingly abundant. Iowa’s Changing Wildlife provides an up-to-date, scientifically based summary of changes in the distribution, status, conservation needs, and future prospects of about sixty species of Iowa’s birds and mammals whose populations have increased or decreased in the past three decades. Readers will learn more about familiar species, become acquainted with the status of less familiar species, and find out how many of the species around them have fared during this era of transformation.Trade ReviewTwo of Iowa’s greatest authorities on wildlife from two generations, who saw remarkable changes, report on the state of Iowa’s wildlife in this wonderful book. It is essential reading for Iowa’s wildlife enthusiasts of today and will be an invaluable resource for Iowa’s wildlife enthusiasts of the future." - Adam Janke, Iowa State University"Since Iowa is one of Earth’s most modified landscapes, it’s critically important to examine how native animals have changed in response. Here the Dinsmores provide well-synthesized wildlife records, as well as rich, historically accurate stories about Iowa’s remaining birds and mammals. This book opens the door to understanding the diverse and fascinating lives that still abound around us." - Cornelia F. Mutel, author, A Sugar Creek Chronicle: Observing Climate Change from a Midwestern Woodland"For wildlife enthusiasts, this book is the perfect companion to A Country So Full of Game, the 1994 volume that traced the history of Iowa wildlife since European settlement of the Midwest. This book traces the efforts and successes in recovery of many wildlife species since that time and the quiet disappearance of some others. Their collective future, as the Dinsmores make clear, is up to us." - Jim Pease, retired Iowa State University extension wildlife specialist

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Book Synopsis“A book that offers hope.” —The New York Times Book Review “A wondrous tapestry.” —Carl Safina, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel Audubon Medal winner Richard Louv’s landmark book Last Child in the Woods inspired an international movement to connect children and nature. Now he redefines the future of human-animal coexistence. In Our Wild Calling, Louv interviews researchers, theologians, wildlife experts, indigenous healers, psychologists, and others to show how people are connecting with animals in ancient and new ways, and how this serves as an antidote to the growing epidemic of human loneliness; how dogs can teach children ethical behavior; how animal-assisted therapy may yet transform the mental health field; and what role the human-animal relationship plays in our spiritual health. He reports on wildlife relocation and on how the growing populations of wild species in urban areas are blurring the lines between domestic and wild animals. Our Wild Calling makes the case for protecting, promoting, and creating a sustainable and shared habitat for all creatures—not out of fear, but out of love.Includes a new interview with the author, discussion questions, and a resource guide.Trade Review“A game-changer.” —Psychology Today “Louv deftly brings together cutting-edge science, longstanding wisdom and recent discoveries, along with wonder and humor, while never losing sight of the magic that’s possible when humans and nonhumans connect. This is a book that offers hope.” —The New York Times Book Review “Our Wild Calling is a thoughtful, calm, reasoned book, best read at a chapter-a-day pace, allowing time to think and digest what the author has presented.” —The Associated Press "A manifesto for a new way of living in the world, the book reveals a natural tapestry too often ignored." —The Christian Science Monitor “Impassioned and compelling . . . A thoughtfully researched, poetically inspiring call to action that will resonate with a broad range of readers.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Louv writes of our need for immersion in nature and of how our interactions with animals can help us to save not only ourselves, but also the planet. In lyrical, sometimes mystical prose, he challenges our assumptions about how we relate to other species.” —Booklist, starred review "[An] intriguing and poetic treatise . . . Thoughtful and hopeful, Louv’s work is a stirring look at ‘the blurred lines that have always existed between wild and domestic, human and other than human.’ ” —Publishers Weekly “Looking at scientific research from a variety of experts, this is a compelling call to reestablish ties with the animal world. Strongly recommended for anyone feeling overwhelmed or spiritually bereft in today’s society."—Library Journal “Richard Louv has done it again. A remarkable book that will help everyone break away from their fixed gaze at the screens that dominate our lives and remember instead that we are animals in a world of animals.” —Bill McKibben, author of Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out? “These pages weave a wondrous tapestry in which we all are crucial threads. It’s a picture of our own creation, about a future we will share, a future we can strive to make worth living for.”—Carl Safina, author of the New York Times bestseller Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel “We need community with nature and communication with animals more than ever now that so many of us live in urban environments. Through many fascinating stories of human-animal interaction, Richard Louv urges us to be open-minded about animals and reposition our species inside the natural world.” —Frans de Waal, author of Mama’s Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves “I wish I had written this book! In this deep exploration, Louv celebrates our essential connections to animals—in the wild, in the city, in our dreams, in our hearts.” —Jennifer S. Holland, author of the New York Times bestselling Unlikely Friendships series “Not just a brilliant, wise, and eloquent book, but a powerful summons to reconnect with the life all around us. Reconnecting with animals is a remedy for much of what ails modern life including loneliness and boredom.” —David W. Orr, Paul Sears Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Oberlin College “Powerful. A must-read for everyone who is concerned with the ways in which human animals are becoming increasingly alienated from nonhuman animals, with devastating results for all involved.” —Marc Bekoff, author of Rewilding Our Hearts “The timing for Our Wild Calling could not be better. Louv suggests that humans who have strong relationships with animals help their own mental health as well as possibly saving life on earth. This book is incredibly important to our future on this planet.” —Robert Bateman, artist, naturalist, and author of Robert Bateman’s Canada “Richard Louv continues to connect all of us to nature through his new book . . . A great read for all!” —Fran P. Mainella, 16th Director of the U.S. National Park Service

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Book SynopsisHere's a quick and quirky identification guide to animal dung or droppings. Each animal group (carnivores, primates, antelope, rats and mice, reptiles, birds) is briefly introduced; but the main focus of this book is the photographs, mostly life-size. These images enable immediate identification of the animals responsible for the droppings. To confirm identity, summary tables give details of average width, length and typical contents of droppings (feathers, twigs, leaves, sand, etc.). This should become a recommended reference for rangers and field guides in the region; and it will be of use to anyone with an interest in wildlife, and even to those who simply enjoy walking in the wild and observing the tracks and signs they encounter.

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Book SynopsisThis vibrant, informative guide showcases the diverse wildlife of Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It profiles over 60 mammal species from the wildebeest that migrate in vast herds across the Serengeti plains to the big cats that lie in wait, as well as smaller species such as caracals, genets and bats.

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Book SynopsisIn this sequel to the popular A Hippo Love Story, author Karen Paolillo takes us deeper into her courageous but perilous life among Africa’s wildlife. Hippos, a Mongoose and Me is a collection of vivid stories reflecting the decades that Karen has lived and worked in the wilds of southeast Zimbabwe. The tales encompass a wide variety of animals and experiences, including Karen’s extraordinary affinity with hippos, life with her beloved mongoose, characterful baboons and rescued birds, close encounters with lions and an injured buffalo, and her heart-stopping flight from an enraged elephant. To add to the drama, Karen and her husband Jean-Roger must face off against the drumbeat of political subterfuge and poaching of wildlife, sometimes at great personal risk. Inspiring, surprising and sometimes sad, this heartfelt anthology is testament to the courage and resilience of its intrepid author. Sales points: Moving stories of great courage in the face of increasing threat to Africa’s wildlife. Heart-warming tales in the popular genres of animal-human interaction and wildlife rescue. A sequel to the best-selling A Hippo Love Story by the same author. Colour photographs of the cast of characters featured in the book.

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Book SynopsisScotland is renowned for the huge range of its wildlife, which comes in all shapes and sizes. In this book Tim Kirby introduces 45 of them, from the iconic red deer and golden eagle to the Highland cow and ubiquitous midge. In addition, he offers his take on animals of myth and legend, such as the world-famous Loch Ness Monster and the mysteriously watery kelpies. He also includes other creatures which may or may not be classed as animals in the conventional sense – such as the haggis (rarely seen alive but eaten every Burns Night) and even the bagpipe (surely some kind of animal given its appearance and piercing call).

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Book SynopsisThe northern parish of Assynt boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in Britain. The mountains of Quinag and Suilven dominate a very varied landscape with wild, white hills inland and a complex, intricate moorland to the west. Here, rocky crags, boggy flows, innumerable lochs and burns, stretch to a coast of equal variety with long fjords, high cliffs and sandy beaches. Close to many of the crofting townships are dense areas of native woodland. In this book, Robin Noble, who has been intimately involved with this corner of the north-west Highlands of Scotland his whole life, celebrates its rugged beauty and shares many intimate encounters with the resident wildlife – including, golden eagles, otters, badgers and pine martens – which surrounded his cottage in its wooded glen under the ‘long mountain’ of Quinag. Assynt is also well known for its important role in the history of community land ownership, and Robin describes too his deep involvement with those who live there. He learned much from the old generation of shepherds and crofters whom he got to know in the 1960s, as well as from their children and incomers in later decades, and shared with them the challenges of living in a remote, fragile community.Trade Review'It is unlikely anyone will read the book and not long to make their own journey to witness what Noble writes about so eloquently from his own experience' * Strathspey and Badenoch Herald *'Irresistible scene-setting...fascinating history, intriguing future and unique wildness' -- Margaret Chrystall * Inverness Courier *'Robin's nature-writing is terrific. This is a very special book... highly recommended' * Ullapool News *'an extended love-letter to one of the most beautiful and fascinating parts of this amazing country of ours' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *

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Book SynopsisTabby cat or toucan? Airedale terrier or Angora rabbit? Python or Parakeet? If you didn’t have a pet as a child, you probably wanted one. Pets features a huge range of pets from everyday pets such as cats and dogs to exotic pets such as tropical fish, toucans and terrapins, from cute mice to formidable pythons, from energetic rabbits to docile tortoises to thoroughbred horses. Part of the highly successful Mini Encyclopedia series, Pets includes 300 pets from around the world, offering a wealth of fascinating information on the background, breeding and natural habitat of these animals. With a page and outstanding colour illustration given to each pet, and specification boxes detailing on the origins, appearance, size, diet and lifespan of each animal, Pets is an easy-to-use pocket reference book for anyone interested in domesticated animals.Table of ContentsBrittany Munsterlander English Pointer Curly Coated Retriever Labrador Retriever Golden Retriever English Setter Irish Setter Clumber Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Sussex Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Italian spinone Standard poodle Norwegian Elkhound Bloodhound Basenji Pharaoh Hound Irish Wolfhound Basset Hound English Foxhound Afghan Hound Greyhound Otterhound Ibizan Hound Airedale Terrier Bull Terrier Cesky Terrier Lakeland terrier Norfolk terrier Scottish terrier Yorkshire Terrier Chihuahua Italian Greyhound Maltese Papillon Pekingese Shih Tzu Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shar-Pei Bulldog Dalmatian Lhasa Apso Japanese spitz Boston Terrier Bernese Mountain Dog German Boxer Briard Bullmastiff Doberman (Pinscher) Japanese Akita Bearded Collie Border Collie Smooth Collie Komondor Hungarian Puli Hungarian Kuvasz Leonberger Alaskan Malamute Mastiff Neapolitan Mastiff Australian Shepherd Dog Belgian Shepherd Dog Newfoundland German Pinscher Pembroke Welsh corgi British Shorthair Exotic Shorthair Cat Manx American Shorthair American Curl Chartreux Bengal Cat Japanese Bobtail Russian Blue Cat Korat Burmese Bombay Singapura Abyssinian Ocicat California spangled cat Snowshoe cat Cornish Rex Cat Devon Rex Sphinx Cat Selkirk Rex Siamese Cat Tonkinese Oriental Shorthair Cat Havana Brown Cat Egyptian Mau Cat Persian Birman Turkish Angora Cat Turkish Van Cat Maine Coon Norwegian Forest Ragdoll Siberian Tiffanie cat Javanese Scottish Fold American Bobtail Non-pedigree cat Banjo Catfish Hillstream Loach Bronze Cory Cardinal Tetra Redeye Piranha Freshwater Angelfish Lifalili Jewel Cichlid Common Discus Texas cichlid goldfish Harlequin Rasbora Striped Raphael Catfish Kissing Gourami Royal Pleco Threadfin Rainbowfish Siamese Fighting Fish Honey Gourami Glass Catfish Glass Knife Fish American Flagfish Guppy Spotted Scat Targetfish Achilles Tang Sohal Surgeonfish False Clownfish Clown Triggerfish Mandarin Dragonet Copperband Butterflyfish Clown Coris Harlequin Tusk Red Sea Eightline Flasher Pearly Jawfish Comet True percula clownfish Blacktail Humbug Emperor Angelfish Sulphur Damsel Domestic Goose Barbary Duck Yellow-crested cockatoo Moluccan Cockatoo Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Galah Cockatiel Domestic Pigeon Orange-Cheeked Waxbill Finch Blue-Capped Cordon-bleu Finch Canary Domesticated Turkey Ko-Shamo Chicken Dorking Chicken Fisher's Lovebird Turquoise-Fronted Amazon Parrot Blue and Yellow Macaw Scarlet Macaw Military Macaw Burrowing Parakeet Eclectus parrot Black-Capped Lory Parrot Budgerigar Crimson Rosella Red-Rumped Parrot Plum-Headed Parakeet Alexandrine Parakeet Rose-Ringed Parakeet African Grey Parrot Pesquet's Parrot Thick-billed Parrot Rainbow lorikeet Toco Toucan Sheltie Guinea Pig Smooth haired guinea pig Abyssinian guinea pig Long-tailed Chinchilla Dzungarian Hamster Golden Hamster Alaska Rabbit Angora Rabbit Checkered giant rabbit (was german piebald) Dutch Dwarf Hotot English Angora English silver rabbit (white guards) Oryctolagus cuniculus Florida White Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Harlequin Rabbit Himalayan Holland Lop Mini Rex Rabbit Mini/German Lop Netherland Dwarf New Zealand Rhinelander Rabbit Satin Swiss fox rabbit (longhaired rabbit) Pallid gerbil Mongolian gerbil House Mouse Common Rat Ferret Sugar glider Chinese Water Dragon Bearded dragon Painted Terrapin Emerald tree boa Rainbow boa Veiled Chameleon Jackson's Chameleon Common Snake-necked Turtle Victoria Short-necked Turtle Hilaire's Side-necked Turtle Mangrove Snake African egg eating snake Beauty Rat Snake Sungazer lizard Brown Basilisk Lizard Painted Turtle Red-Eared Slider Terrapin/Turtle Green Iguana Caroline green anole Geen tree python Short-Tailed Python Royal Python Common sandfish skink Radiated Tortoise Hermann's Tortoise Arabian horse Mongolian Horse Orlov horse Trakehner horse Lippizaner horse Kladruber Horse Knabstrup horse and pony Selle Francaise horse Ardennes Horse Baudet de Poitou Donkey Camargue horse Oldenburg horse Nonius horse Murgese horse Salerno horse Sanfratellano horse Haflinger Friesian horse Lusitano Andalusian horse Freiberger horse Clydesdale horse Hackney horse and pony Shire horse Thoroughbred Horse Akhal-Teke Horse Appaloosa Morgan horse American Quarter horse Standardbred horse Criollo horse Peruvian paso horse Anglo arabian horse Dulmen pony Dartmoor pony Fell pony Shetland pony Oriental fire bellied toad European Green Toad Blue Poison Dart Frog Barking Tree Frog Clown Tree Frog Asian Painted Frog Giant African Bull Frog American Bull Frog Pickerel Frog Marsh Frog European common frog Fire salamander Crested newt European honey bee Madagascar hissing cockroach Ladybird/Ladybug Leafcutter Ant Field cricket Stick insect Stag beetle Praying mantis Antlion Giant millipede Linnaeus leaf bug Rhinoceros beetle Dung beetle Black emperor scorpion Mexican red kneed tarantula King baboon tarantula Goliath bird eating tarantula

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Book SynopsisMany photographers wish to capture stunning and memorable images of the natural world, yet the whole process can be a challenge. Not only does getting the perfect shot require a complex mixture of skill and luck, but there is little practical advice available on how to find wildlife to photograph. This unique book describes a straightforward system for how to successfully locate wildlife, the most difficult aspect of wildlife photography. The patience and persistence have to come from you, but equipped with the right fieldcraft there is far more chance of getting the results – and the special moments – you are looking for. Individual chapters offer guidance on how to photograph birds, mammals, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as reptiles and some of our more elusive species. The particularities of various habitat types are discussed, and there are tips on equipment, technical specifications and how to make a good portable hide. While sharing some of her most successful and beautiful images, the author also gives useful examples of when things didn’t quite work out – reflecting on how things could have been done differently to get a better outcome. With the help of this book you’ll soon be taking the photographs you’ve always dreamed of, sometimes.Trade ReviewThe biggest challenge for nature photographers everywhere is finding great examples of wildlife to take pictures of. In this book, Susan Young helps you understand the subtleties of various habitats to improve your chances of finding the birds, mammals, insects and reptiles that live there. There’s also useful advice on equipment and a guide to building a hide. -- Graeme Green * BBC Wildlife *Author Susan Young calls on a great deal of personal experience with wildlife, and there is good advice on how to get close enough to animals to take quality shots without disturbing or scaring them. * Amateur Photographer Magazine *This book is an easy read and is peppered with examples, both in photographs and text, to illustrate specifics for locating and photographing wildlife. The author holds nothing back and is willing to share her methods for achieving success in a straightforward manner. * Apogee Magazine *Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft fills an important gap in photography literature. It is a unique and much needed gem amongst the myriad available photography books. Overall, this book is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers wanting to increase their knowledge of British wildlife, and one that I thoroughly recommend. * The Mammal Society *Lots of books will tell you how to use your camera for composition and exposure, but this is one of the few to tell you how to be there. -- Conrad Obregon, Nikonians.org

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Book SynopsisA walking safari is the best way to enjoy pristine African wilderness, reaching places impossible for vehicles. It offers safari travellers the joy of genuine immersion. This book combines practical tips, reserve-by-reserve information of specific interest to walkers, and vivid narratives of the best walking experiences.

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Book SynopsisDavid Attenborough, Dion Leonard (Finding Gobi), Dervla Murphy and Brian Jackman are just four of the authors whose work features in this new anthology from Bradt focusing on true stories about travelling with animals. In Beastly Journeys, there are 46 tales of extraordinary animal travel experiences, from hilarious holidays with pets to journeys on which wild animals somehow came along for the ride, including: David Attenborough tries to get an armadillo through Paraguayan customs; adventurer Ash Dykes takes a white cockerel to Maromokotro to ward off evil spirits; Mike Gerrard shares a car journey from Belsize Park to Canvey Island with a python; Brian Jackman rides, walks and swims with Abu the elephant; Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year Dom Tulett rows with a kingfisher; and John Rendall travels to Africa with Christian, the lion he bought at Harrods and raised in west London. Also included is a brand new piece of writing from ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard about his experience with Gobi, the stray dog who accompanied him for 80 miles over the treacherous Tian Shian mountains. A mix of new, previously unpublished writers and old favourites are included, with extracts from writers such as Mark Shand (Travels on my Elephant), Dervla Murphy (Eight Feet in the Andes) and Robert Louis Stevenson (Travels with a Donkey), not to mention Gerald Durrell, 19th-century explorer Isabella Bird and renowned publisher Michael Joseph. Compelling, engaging, surprising, humorous and entertaining. if this book proves one thing it's that travel with animals is every bit as unpredictable as you would expect it to be.Trade Review'Quirky collection' - BBC Wildlife MagazineTable of ContentsIntroduction Hilary Bradt THE AMERICAS From Zoo Quest in Paraguay Sir David Attenborough The Llama that Couldn't Gordon Thompson Running with Parrots Katharine Lowrie From Eight Feet in the Andes Dervla Murphy Barry's Flying Visit Adrian Phillips Pepper Pays her Passage Celia Dillow Just a Dog Emma Laing From The Whispering Land Gerald Durrell Beer and Burras Graham Mackintosh Spinny the Sea Cat Frances Howorth Dapple the Reluctant Donkey John Harrison EUROPE Goldfish Trek Emma Macdonald From Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes Robert Louis Stevenson Monty in a Basket Mike Gerrard Smuggling Fleur Hugh Tucker From High Albania Edith Durham, selected and introduced by Elizabeth Gowing Polly Kala Mary Johns Understanding Peggy Hilary Bradt From Zarafa Michael Allin One Man and a Mule Hugh Thomson Hedgehogs on the Road Tanis Jordan From The Bible in Spain George Borrow The Show Must Go On Sarah Pope Lost and Found in the Arctic Kelsey Camacho From Charles: The Story of a Friendship Michael Joseph From Me, My Bike and a Street Dog Called Lucy Ishbel Holmes AFRICA Habibi Sheelagh Reynolds From The Sky is on Fire Magsie Hamilton Little The White Cockerel Ash Dykes Painted Wolves Jonathan Scott Annie's Story Richard Kitzinger An Elephant Called Abu Brian Jackman Follow the Leader Suzy Pope Our Long-Eared Holiday Companion Alison Ely From Christian the Lion: the Ilustrated Legacy John Rendall ASIA From Travels on my Elephant Mark Shand Finding Gobi Dion Leonard Kenny Dom Tulett From Unbeaten Tracks in Japan Isabella Bird The Road to Blue Paradise Lu Barnham Rani and Me Harjeet Johal From Across Coveted Lands Henry Savage Landor AUSTRALASIA Piloted across the Indian Ocean Sarah Outen Starboard Michael Howorth Jack Sparrow Rachel A Davis From Tracks Robyn Davidson

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Book SynopsisChina is a huge country, with remarkably varied and unusual wildlife. This fully updated second edition of Bradt's visitor's wildlife guide provides a colourful introduction to the mammals, birds, reptiles and other wildlife for which the area is renowned, together with an insight into their habits and habitats, and an indication of where they are likely to be seen. Accessible and beautifully illustrated, the guide will appeal both to the first-time visitor and to the serious naturalist seeking a compact volume to carry around. And after the trip, it will also make a great souvenir. New for this second edition are coverage of the new Giant Panda National Park, the recovery of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, whose numbers have increased from around 1,000 to over 3,000, the huge increase in protected areas on both land and sea, and the increased protection in several large reserves for the chiru or Tibetan antelope, notably in Kekexili World Heritage Reserve. Also included are 10 maps focusing on major landscape features and habitats, as well as specific habitat regions such as desert, high plateau, lowland and wetland, and mountain, forest and grassland. All major animal groups are covered, as are habitats and plant life, and there are features on special topics such as medicinal plants, rare cranes and panda country. There are also practical tips for the visitor on where and when to go, and around 200 photographs illustrating the most interesting species from some of the country's finest photographers.Table of ContentsForeword Landscape, habitats and plant life General landscape features, Habitats, Plant life Mammals Carnivores, Hoofed mammals, Elephants, Primates, Small mammals, Dolphins, seals and sirenians Birds Seabirds and waterbirds, Birds of prey (raptors), Ground birds, Near-passerines, Passerines (perching birds) Reptiles, amphibians and fish Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish Invertebrates Butterflies and moths, Beetles, bugs, spiders and others Making the most of it When to go, What to take, Health and safety, Watching for wildlife, Photographing natural China Where to go Conservation and nature reserves, Regions and sites: Desert region of northwest China, High plateau region of west China, Mountain, forest and grassland region of north China, Lowland and wetland region of east China, Mountain and forest region of central China, Mountain and forest region of south China, Mountains of southwest China, Tropical region of south China Further reading Index

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Book SynopsisFamily isn't just important. It's everything. From lions hunting as a pride to penguins huddling together to keep from freezing in the bitter Antarctic winter, many animals are dependent on complex social relationships for their survival. Powerful dynasties lay claim to vast swathes of territory, fighting off rivals and securing their hunting grounds for generations to come. Dynasties offers an immersive insight into the shifting hierarchies of animal families. Each chapter follows a different dynasty, from the Marsh Lions of the Masai Mara to rival packs of painted wolves, from a tiger protecting her newborn cubs to a chimpanzee troop and the penguin colonies of the Antarctic. Alongside tender moments when bonds are strengthened through grooming and play, the book charts the rivalries that tip the balance of power, when family members turn against each other and younger animals grow strong enough to challenge for control. With over 200 stunning photographs and insights from the crew of the BBC series, Dynasties reveals in astonishing detail the intricate social lives of our planet’s most fascinating animals.

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Book SynopsisWelcome home. A place 200 million years in the making.Long ago, our planet had only one gigantic land mass. Then something monumental happened. That supercontinent ruptured and seven different worlds were born. Each of those worlds - or continents - evolved, and continues to evolve, its own way of life. From the jungle of the Congo or the majestic Himalayas to the densely populated wilds of Europe or the comparatively isolated Australasia, Seven Worlds, One Planet explores the natural wonders that give each of our continents its distinct character. Following the animals that have made these iconic environments their home, it discovers spectacular wildlife stories that reveal what makes each of these seven worlds unique. With a foreword by Sir David Attenborough and over 250 breathtaking images, including stills from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage, Seven Worlds, One Planet is a stunning exploration of the planet, and the worlds within it, that we call home.

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Book SynopsisIn our busy, pressured world, the natural world can be a powerful counter-balance, offers wisdom for the challenges, pain and dislocations of life as well as for beauty, wonder and healing. In Soulful Nature, Brian Draper and Howard Green encourage you to get outside and make deeper connections with creation and its creator. They chart walking journeys through rural landscapes and town streets over the course of a year, showing how the natural cycle of the changing seasons can awaken us to the rhythms of our own lives. Each chapter explores a different landscape, zooming in on the small details of the natural world as well as panning out to the wide-screen beauty of time and place. Simple and practical spiritual exercises are provided throughout.Trade Review'A walk with Brian and Howard helps you see and hear more clearly, feel with a warmer heart and be a part of nature rather than just an observer.' -- Clare Balding'As this timely book explains, we need to let nature into our lives and to feel its healing properties.' -- Alan Titchmarsh'A remarkable book, transporting the reader on a journey through a year in nature. I am lucky enough to know all the places visited in this book, most of them very well. Brian and Howard's musings bring these places, and our seasons, not so much to life, as to meaning.' -- Matthew Oates'A thoughtful, evocative journey through some very special places, exploring the connection they offer us to the healing balm and spiritual possibilities of nature. It's a pleasure to be in the company of these two friends as they share history, naturalism and practical suggestions about how to slow down, connect with nature, and reflect in whatever way works for you.' -- Louise Govier'Brian Draper and Howard Green write with warmth, wisdom and a winsome way of earthing spirituality in the unique gift of each place. Best of all, they make you want to step outside and find the kingdom of heaven, hidden like treasure in the soil.' -- Andrew Rumsey

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Theology, says Brian McLaren, is at its best when it is in conversation with the wild world that flourishes beyond our walls and outside our windows and cities. In God Unbound, McLaren follows his love of nature all the way to the Galapagos Islands. There, he pays close attention to the flora and fauna around him but also to what is happening within him, how the natural world awakens his soul in a way that organized religion cannot. The result is a sparkling and engrossing theology which refuses to remain indoors.

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Book SynopsisI have yet to decipher what the word ''brave'' truly describes, but one thing is evident to me, judging by the number of things that do scare me, I am no braver than the next person. From his early days at Hartbeespoort Snake and Animal Park, to his military conscription during the late ''70s and up to his internationally renowned TV shows on Animal Planet, herpetologist and wildlife photographer Austin Stevens takes us through his extraordinary encounters with some of the world''s most dangerous creatures. Be it staring down a black mamba or trying to retrieve an escaped chimpanzee, these accounts are often exciting and hilarious in equal measure as Stevens dispels the myths surrounding these widely-feared creatures. Running Wild, Stevens''s fourth book, is reflective and personal. He touches on his relationship with his wife Amy, and describes dealing with depression after suffering a string of terrible misfortunes including a horrific car crash, a vicious knife attack and his struggle to rebuild a shattered life. Running Wild is the captivating story of a restless adventurer as he evolves from curator of reptiles, to wildlife photographer, author and film maker. Having faced adversity and mortality more than once, Austin shares with us his reminiscences of past experiences. With never a dull moment, Running Wild will render the reader both fearful and elated.

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Book SynopsisA journey across Ireland, in words and dazzling images,exploring the nature we pass every day. Go deep in the bog, high in the mountains and under crashing waves. Discover alpine flowers blooming in the Burren, meet ferocious anemones on our shorelines, and visit the Shannon Dolphins, who have had a place in local legend for centuries.

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Book Synopsis"With each day spent outdoors I am reminded of what a beautiful world we all call home, and the challenges that face ecosystems across the world." – Alfie Bowen “The photographs are outstanding, and the story behind them inspirational. Given the odds stacked against Alfie throughout his life, this book is a significant success and bodes very well for a continued and very inspiring career as a world-class photographer.” – Chris Packham "There are illustrated books that go straight to the heart, leave you speechless and humbled....and "Wild World" by Alfie Bowen is just such an illustrated book. Wildlife photography in perfection, for which there are no words, because Bowen succeeds in letting the viewer look directly into the soul of the animals with his photographs." – Lovely Books Germany Alfie Bowen is an exceptionally talented young autistic photographer and wildlife activist. His latest project offers a glimpse into the private lives of numerous wild animals from across the globe and reveals the highs and lows of living as an autistic environmental campaigner. Bowen’s photographs are truly breath-taking. Hours are invested into every piece to ensure the results are exactly as Bowen envisioned, and Bowen conducts in-depth research on every animal he captures, believing it is of the utmost importance to understand his subjects. In this book, Bowen discusses overcoming the limitations of technology and how autism has given him the obsession needed to persevere in often cold, lonely and difficult circumstances. From Bowen’s relation of his struggle to capture the perfect picture of a cheetah, to his majestic portraits of some of the most beloved animals on the planet, this book captures the powerful sensory experience Bowen enjoys whenever he immerses himself in nature. Featured animals include: lions, cheetahs, leopards, tigers, snow leopards, Geoffrey’s cats, red pandas, chimpanzees, monkeys and colobuses, lemurs, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, deer, flamingos, eagles and other birds, and koi. Trade Review“There are few things more calming than the beauty of nature – and no one understand the power of the natural world more than Alfie Bowen.” - Danielle Lett, East Anglia Daily Times"The illustrated book Wild World captures that powerful sensory experience, which Bowen enjoys when he's in the Nature immerses." - Photo Weekly Germany"There are illustrated books that go straight to the heart, leave you speechless and humbled....and "Wild World" by Alfie Bowen is just such an illustrated book. Wildlife photography in perfection, for which there are no words, because Bowen succeeds in letting the viewer look directly into the soul of the animals with his photographs." - Lovely Books Germany"Bowen’s photographs are truly breath-taking. Hours are invested into every piece to ensure the results are exactly as Bowen envisioned, and Bowen conducts in-depth research on every animal he captures, believing it is of the utmost importance to understand his subjects." - Lovely Books

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Book SynopsisBradt's popular guidebook 52 Wildlife Weekends suggests inspiring itineraries for 52 unforgettable British wildlife-watching breaks, stretching from the Isles of Scilly to northern Scotland - each perfectly timed for every week of the year. Thoroughly updated to reflect Britain's ever-changing natural history, this second edition integrates the latest information on the country's most thrilling wildlife experiences, suggests new target species and showcases fabulous new locations. Written by award-winning author and experienced naturalist James Lowen, 52 Wildlife Weekends remains the only guide to package Britain's nature-watching highlights into deftly timed, user-friendly holiday suggestions. Say it's February and you want to watching otters. Or May: time for spring flowers and bewitching butterflies. Or July, and you fancy marvelling at dragonflies. Or October: the height of bird migration. Whenever in the year you get a chance to escape, this book suggests 48 hours' worth of brilliant wildlife-watching - perfect for staycations, whether as a weekend or part of a longer holiday. 52 Wildlife Weekends suggests a year's worth of short breaks celebrating the full range of Britain's most exciting wildlife, from tiny silver-spotted skipper butterflies to gargantuan basking sharks, and from seabird skyscrapers to ostentatious orchids. Covering more than 40 counties or regions, this unique guide offers engaging descriptions, detailed directions (including grid references and postcodes), accommodation suggestions, and assessments of accessibility and (new for this edition) child-friendliness, plus 180 mouth-watering colour photographs. Find out how, where and when to track down such thrilling creatures as beavers and basking sharks, eagles and otters, dolphins and dragonflies, glow worms and grey seals. Why not open the New Year on a real-life wild goose chase in the Inner Hebrides? Or make a spring pilgrimage to Yorkshire to see truly wild daffodils? Or experience underwater life by peering into rivers for rare fish in Powys, snorkelling in Dorset, or rock-pooling in Devon? Or gawp at starling murmurations, shape-shifting through the autumnal sky, in Suffolk or Somerset. Combining the very best of travel and wildlife guides, and covering both well-known spectacles and less familiar species, Bradt's 52 Wildlife Weekends has something for everyone - wildlife experts and novice ecotourists alike.Trade Review'A diarised walkthrough of 52 wildlife-filled weekend destinations to explore and experience in every corner of the British countryside, this is a guide that will find a home in the caravans, tent pockets and backpacks of nature-lovers just about everywhere...... 52 Wildlife Weekends will provide many with the inspiration to get close to nature somewhere across our islands, and might add a few destinations to the bucket lists of those already enthused. This is a guide well worth buying?-?regardless of your location, interest or expertise on anything wildlife-related. Let yourself be inspired!' www.birdguides.com 'Packed with stunning wildlife photography, this is an ideal guide to the range of British wildlife you can see as well as where to see it and when.' Powys County Times and Express 'Each chapter is an invitation to pack a picnic, pull on the walking boots and head out in search of our wonderful wildlife.' The Simple Things 'The text is, like the rest of the book, simply superb and full of feeling, as if the author has actually taken you there.' Highland News 'A pleasurable and practical read that aims to inspire and inform... an indispensible resource for anyone interested in British wildlife.' Outdoor Photography 'A year of wildlife-watching ideas divided into handy weekend breaks' Countryman Magazine 'Packaged in a handy-sized and beautifully illustrated book. The sumptuous photographs on the front cover provide a taster of the wonderful variety of wildlife that can be enjoyed across Britain... a great addition to any bookshelf' The Biggest Twitch 'An invaluable, inspirational guide and a real bargain to boot.' BBC Wildlife "A good idea and a useful guide... packed with information and well written... a good reminder that Britain has plenty of wildlife if you go to the right places, at the right times" Mark Avery, British Wildlife. 'Offers inspiring itineraries for a year of unforgettable wildlife-watching breaks across the UK' Sussex Wildlife Trust 'This would suit non-specialists as well as seasoned naturalists, and, accompanied by some fine photographs, contains evocative accounts of varied landscapes, from balmy evenings in the Chilterns to the saturated fens of Norfolk.' Good Book Guide 'This book provides an excellent starting point for a novice or for a 'wild' family to explore nature across beautiful Britain!' Dorset Wildlife Trust 'Britain is rich in wildlife, and now, thanks to a new book, seeing all these creatures in their natural habitats has suddenly been made a lot easier.' Evergreen 'Learn where to spot basking sharks, forage for fungi, track red squirrels and more, with maps, itineraries and great photos.' National Geographic Traveller 'Who needs BBC's Springwatch when this book has 52 good reasons to get out and see British wildlife for yourself?' Wild TravelTable of ContentsJanuary 1 Wild goose chases and whisky chasers Argyll & Bute for barnacle goose, Greenland white-fronted goose, white-tailed eagle, otter, goose barnacle 2 Meres, fens and washes Cambridgeshire for Chinese water deer, bittern, Bewick's swan, whooper swan, hen harrier 3 Larking about Hampshire for red deer, roe deer, wood lark, great grey shrike, hawfinch 4 Seal of approval Durham for harbour seal, grey seal, long-eared owl, waxwing, snow bunting 5 Seaduck go Forth! Fife & East Lothian for velvet scoter, long-tailed duck, Slavonian grebe, white-tailed eagle, sea buckthorn bracket February 6 Touting for Tarka Northumberland for otter, red squirrel, Mediterranean gull, willow tit, twite 7 Whirling waders, gathering geese, aerial attacks Lancashire for otter, whooper swan, pink-footed goose, starling roost, scarlet elf cup 8 Kite-flying and Welsh witches Powys for red kite, raven, dipper, witches beard, Wilson's filmy fern 9 Dark Peak, white hare Derbyshire for mountain hare, peregrine, curlew, raven, red grouse March 10 From rifles to Ratty Greater London & Kent for water vole, heronry, Caspian gull, long-eared owl, rook roost 11 Serpents of the sandlings Suffolk for adder, Mediterranean gull, Dartford warbler, brown hare, mossy stonecrop 12 Daff's in t'dale North Yorkshire for wild daffodil, red grouse, goshawk, gannet, kittiwake 13 Wailing heath chicken run Suffolk & Norfolk for stone-curlew, stoat, grape hyacinth, Breckland speedwell, fingered speedwell April 14 Sand and deliver! Devon for sand crocus, sand lizard, narrow-headed ant, rockpool species, cirl bunting 15 A rabble of reptiles Dorset for eight species of reptile, natterjack toad, sika, early spider orchid, emperor moth 16 Snakes and snake's heads Gloucestershire & Wiltshire for wild boar, adder, goshawk, pied flycatcher, snake's-head fritillary 17 Highland spring, famous grouse Highland for black grouse, osprey, golden eagle, pine marten, Kentish glory May 18 Dukes and ladies Kent for lady orchid, bluebell,shingle plants, Duke of Burgundy, dew moth 19 Fantastic fish - and fishers Radnorshire & Carmarthenshire for sea lamprey, brook lamprey, badger, osprey, wood warbler 20 Pembrokeshire parrots, mystical Manxies Pembrokeshire for Manx shearwater, puffin, gannet, bluebell, red campion 21 Does the lady's slipper fit? Yorkshire & Cumbria for lady's slipper, coralroot orchid, pearl-bordered fritillary, white-spotted sable, natterjack toad 22 Machair marvels, streaming skuas Outer Hebrides for machair plants including orchids, corncrake, breeding waders, long-tailed skua, moss carder bee July 27 Butterfly high season Cumbria for high brown fritillary, mountain ringlet, large heath, dune helleborine, dark-red helleborine 28 Island intensity Northumberland for Arctic tern, roseate tern, puffin, dune helleborine, ballan wrasse 29 There be dragons... and dolphins Inverness-shire for northern emerald, northern damselfly, bumblebee robberfly, creeping lady's-tresses, bottlenose dolphin 30 Snorkelling and skippers Dorset for corkwing wrasse, Lulworth skipper, small red damselfly, heath tiger beetle, Dorset heath 31 Shark! Cornwall & Devon for blue shark, harbour porpoise, beaver, greater horseshoe bat, silver-studded blue August 32 Basking on the Lizard Cornwall for Cornish heath, bog asphodel, chough, basking shark, red-veined darter 33 Mad Manx and mountains Ceredigion & Snowdonia for Manx shearwater, osprey, sand lizard, marsh helleborine, feral goat 34 Pelagic paradise Isles of Scilly for Wilson's storm-petrel, great shearwater, common dolphin, grey seal, rockpool life 35 Dragonfly delights Essex & Kent for southern migrant hawker, scarce emerald damselfly, shrill carder bee, water vole, great crested newt September 36 Chiltern challenge Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire for edible dormouse, brown hairstreak, silver-spotted skipper, glowworm, Chiltern gentian 37 Webs, willows and wanderers Suffolk for fen raft spider, willow emerald damselfly, convolvulus hawk-moth, badger, polecat/ferret 38 The Flamborough front East Yorkshire for gannet, sooty shearwater, pomarine skua, red-backed shrike, rockpool life 39 Blubber and bucks Norfolk for harbour seal, fallow deer, bearded tit, yellow-browed warbler, dune waxcap October 40 Winner takes all Suffolk for red deer rut, otter, bearded tit, bittern, little stint 41 Scilly season Isles of Scilly for migrant birds, lesser white-toothed shrew, basking shark, prickly stick-insect, crimson speckled 42 Don't spurn the chance East Yorkshire for migrant songbirds, estuary waders, long-eared owl, woodcock 43 Estuarine exodus Cheshire & Conwy for pygmy shrew, harvest mouse, feral goat, short-eared owl, chough 44 Leap of faith North Yorkshire for the salmon run, roe deer, red squirrel, dipper, common crossbill November 45 Yew and yours Sussex for huge yews, fly agaric, water shrew, water vole, brent goose 46 Otterly fabu

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Book Synopsis‘A profoundly satisfying read’ Financial TimesIn Field Notes from the Edge, the acclaimed writer of the Guardian's 'Country Diary', Paul Evans, takes us on a journey through the in-between spaces of Nature – such as strandlines, mudflats, cliff tops and caves – where one wilderness is on the verge of becoming another and all things are possible. Here, Evans searches out wildlife and plants to reveal a Nature that is inspiring yet intimidating; miraculous yet mundane; part sacred space, part wasteland. It is here that we tread the edge between a fear of Nature’s dangers and a love of Nature’s beauty.Combining a naturalist’s eye for observation with a poet’s ear for the lyrical, Field Notes from the Edge confirms Paul Evans's place among our leading nature writers today.Trade ReviewField Notes from the Edge's magic lies partly in the sheer quality of the prose, partly in Evans’ ability to loop together disparate threads[...] a profoundly satisfying read. -- Melissa Harrison * Financial Times *A wonderfully original book…Evans has a superb eye, a fine ear for all kinds of speech, a love of droll reality and a lyrical sense of all life...a joy. -- Richard Kerridge, author of Cold BloodThe best account I know of how it goes with our wilds...[a] deeply loveable book -- Tim Dee, author of Four FieldsThis lyrical prose makes the reader itch to get out into nature...Ultimately, Evans draws on the past to confront our present and ask what kind of future might be possible * Independent *Paul Evans’s important new book is the first indisputable classic of twenty-first-century nature writing…A masterpiece -- Jim Perrin, author of West

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Book SynopsisA humorous and informative book, debunking a range of commonly held myths about animals. Camels store water in their humps and magpies love to steal shiny objects. Or do they? A must-read in the Everything you Know series, this book debunks a range of old-cod stories about animals in author Matt Brown's inimitable humorous and fascinating style. Covering everything from the myth that lemmings throw themselves off cliffs in suicide (they don't, but on occasion some just fall off) to the one about bats being blind (they're not, and they can see but use the more sophisticated echolocation for certain hunting). From head in the sand ostriches to cats landing on their feet, a wealth of information on our beloved pets to creepy crawlies and wild giants, this book will set the marvel of the animal word straight. Plus, there are special features on the odd diets of animals and how wrongly they are portrayed in the movies. All the old stories and myths about animals we've had since childhood are gleefully debunked in a hugely entertaining book.Trade Review'A book bound to start conversations' * The Field *'While lighthearted in tone, a lot of knowledge is nonetheless imparted, and Brown’s natural wit and obviously in-depth levels of research shine through' * How it Works *

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Book SynopsisA wonderful portable edition of Millie Marotta’s Woodland Wild, from the Sunday Times and international bestseller artist. Lose yourself in the calming world of woodland wildlife, from peaceful pine groves to a steamy tropical forest, with over 80 amazing illustrations to colour in a smaller format. Discover intriguing creatures, from foxes, fireflies and fallow deer to lemurs, leaf frogs and ladybugs. Millie's much-loved intricate drawing style will be irresistible for those who love to colour. Meander through a world of towering trees, leafy canopies, exquisite blossoms and underground burrows to meet a huge array of animals that make the woods their home. Featuring species from across the globe, this is a celebration of the world's forests and woods, guaranteeing hours of relaxation and colouring fun, especially while on the go, and perfect to pop in a travel bag.

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Book SynopsisThis stunningly beautiful and informative book celebrates the Arctic, one of the last great wildernesses on the planet; a place where animals have survived for thousands of years protected only by fur and feathers. Humans also survive in the Arctic, but only those who have adjusted to the climate over millennia and who clad themselves in the skins of the animals they hunt. For the casual visitor, this is a place where survival for any extended period requires taking advantage of the best that modern technology can offer. But the rewards are immense: the Arctic can be harsh, but it is also stunningly beautiful - days during which the sun glints on ice, nights illuminated by the ethereal dancing light of the aurora and with a glimpse of some of the most remarkable animals on the planet. Many travel to the Arctic to see the animals, the land mammals, the whales and seals, and the birds. However, the Arctic also has an absorbing human history. The origins of the Inuit in North America, and the array of Eurasian northern peoples, from the Sami of Scandinavia to the Yuppik hunters from Asia's Bering Sea coast, are still debated, while the discovery, just a year or so ago, of the second ship of Franklin's doomed expedition to find the North-West Passage has reopened the arguments over exactly what did happen to more than 100 Royal Navy seamen. The Arctic provides not only an understanding of the formation of the Arctic but the science of snow and ice including the phenomena of aurora and parhelia, and the way in which the area's wildlife contends with the chilling harshness of its climate. This fascinating, magnificent area is now under severe threat. Global warming is causing the sea ice to shrink, in both area and volume. This allows easier access to its probable resources and, ironically, this access merely adds to the threats to the area and its wildlife. Due to feedback mechanisms, the Arctic warms about twice as fast as the Earth. The area therefore acts in the way that canaries once acted in coal mines, giving an early warning of danger: melting sea ice not only threatens the local wildlife but indicates the threat to the Earth as a whole. This is a truly remarkable book encompassing the diverse facets of this magnificent area and its vital importance as an indicator of the planet's health.Trade Review`…should be required reading for all those who have influence over the future direction of the world’s economies, its threatened environment and ever-growing population’. John O’ Groat Journal -------------------- `This is an extremely well laid-out book, written by Richard Sale and with photos by Per Michelson on almost every page helping the reader to understand the subject under discussion. To read it was a fascinating experience... ...absolutely fascinating... ...illustrated by amazing photographs... Reading the book I was in awe at the vast knowledge of the author. This is not a book about one aspect of the Arctic but of a wide range of complex topics. The compilation of such a book, and its photographic illustrations, are a credit to Sale and Michelsen'. Wildlife Detective, The blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- `...a true celebration of the Arctic Wilderness... ...is essential reading for both Arctic "aficionados" and ordinary travelers to the Arctic, anyone indeed, with real interests in the future of the physical and human environment of the hugely extensive and beautiful wilderness of the Arctic'. ECOS

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Book SynopsisThis book opens up a wonderland of natural history for all ages to enjoy, and will spark interest in the intricate web of Africa's natural history, one that is bursting with exuberance, a great variety of life. It covers a vast range of topics that are often neglected, and reveals untold mysteries hidden in this remarkable continent. It is written in a readable and clear style that allows the reader to gain an appreciation of its continent-wide approach, which is based upon half a century or more of knowledge. Delving into the intricate fossil history found in Africa, The Wonder of Africa's Natural History describes some of the largest dinosaurs that walked this earth and extraordinary giant mammals of the Pleistocene, to the largest mammal that still survives to this day. It also encompasses the tiny mites that reside inside animals' ears and the remarkable maggot that finds a home in the sole of the elephant's foot. This book discusses creatures great and small. The remarkable variety of animals described explores their colours, behaviours, displays of weapons and the meanings behind the differences. The book explains the animals' everyday lives, co-habitations, and how the large carnivores live alongside their prey. The reader is transported into their world from birth, through growing up to their social interactions. Fantastic migrations showing the exuberance of life are described from butterflies to wildebeest and elephants and the once huge increases in number of the springbok in South Africa. The Wonder of Africa's Natural History unfolds a great diversity of life from swamp to forest, rivers and lakes, each with their particular creatures. It shows how an antelope or the bizarre naked mole rat can survive in arid environments. It transports us across the vast panorama of the beautiful plains of Africa, revealing how they are exploited and how the real battles in Nature are fought among the small species, the myriad of insect forms. The co-evolution of the whole community is an astonishingly amazing tangled web of life, having its origin over 300 million years ago. This book is a natural history to be enjoyed by all.

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Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON BBC ONE'S THE ONE SHOWBrought together by a shared love of birding, Ollie Olanipekun and Nadeem Perera set up Flock Together to challenge the underrepresentation of people of colour in nature. What started as a walk in their local park instantly sparked a global outdoors movement centred on community and activism through nature. With a vision to change the world from the outside in, Outsiders is a memoir and manifesto about the power of nature to heal, inspire and unite us in the face of prejudice and inequity. Praise for Flock Together'A birdwatching collective is not only encouraging people of colour to explore green spaces, but also reconcile it with their sense of identity' - Telegraph'...inspiring young people to discover the wildlife on their doorsteps' - The Times'During challenging times, what could be more rewarding?' - VogueTrade ReviewA powerful meditation on the relationship between race and the natural world in modern Britain * iNews *[Outsiders] is a bold step in confronting the under-representation of people of colour in the natural world, and helping those marginalised communities to step forward to enjoy and protect it. * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisThe idea of this book started many years ago with my love of nature, places and people. If I think it is interesting, it has to be photographed! It all started when a friend of my family took some pictures of us as children. I was so fascinated with the camera that he let me have a try. On my thirteenth birthday my parents bought me a Brownie C620. I dashed over the fields to photograph a Point-toPoint Horse Race. Although I took many photographs, I did not get serious about photography until my daughter married and my brother-in-law suggested I got a Canon AV1 and since then I have always used Canon cameras. Now I have an EOS 90D plus a 100 to 400 MkII lens for wildlife with a 1.4mm extension. I have an EOS 7D MkII I use for landscape and close work with a 24 to 105mm lens. As I got older I found it difficult to carry other heavy lenses. Over the last 20 years or so, one of my travelling companions has been Bas Yates who is also a wildlife photographer and a cousin with the same interests. We are constantly competing to get a better photograph. My 70 years as a photographer have been fantastic, I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I have enjoyed taking them.

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Book SynopsisThis is the long-awaited re-issue of the bestselling classic. Brought right up to date and with new illustrations and a gallery of superb photographs, this is the perfect introduction to the bats living in Britain.

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Book SynopsisThis is an indispensable guide to the wildlife of Seychelles, covering the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates most likely to be encountered. It features 64 superb color photographic plates, and highlights the many species and subspecies unique to these islands. The first comprehensive photographic guide to the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies, and other conspicuous invertebrates likely to be encountered in Seychelles 64 stunning color photographic plates accompanied by text giving key identification features, behavior, breeding, distribution, population, and conservation status Simple-to-use format and easy-to-read style, aimed at beginners and experts alike Highlights the many species and subspecies unique to Seychelles Notes on conservation status, habitat, and distribution An essential guide for all visitors Contains annotated checklists Written to support local nature conservation

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Book SynopsisVet Hugh Cran's daily life is non-stop as he copes with rabied dogs, entire herds of sick cattle, a surgery fire, near-death on a fishing trip and he even finds time to fall in love and start a family. Hugh's witty observations and professional approach makes this a lively and engaging read about what it is to be a vet at the sharp end in Kenya.

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Book SynopsisBlue Ice is the new book from photographer Alex Bernasconi whose unique approach to wildlife photography has been honoured with multiple prestigious awards. Bernasconi's breathtaking panoramas reveal the spectacular beauty of the Antarctic landscape shaped by its extreme climate, while his wildlife portraits depict the surprising diversity of Species, highly adapted to the challenging conditions in which they live. A foreword by the British glaciologist Professor Julian Dowdeswell, Director of the Scott Polar Research Institute, explains the dynamics of the geography and ice masses, and the effects of climate change, while Dr Peter Clarkson draws on his personal experiences as a member of the British Antarctic Survey in his introduction, which also recounts the challenges of working and living in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Blue Ice provides a remarkable Visual record of an eco-system at risk, revealing the extraordinary, unexpected beauty of the Antarctic, the most remote and endangered place on Earth.

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Book SynopsisRings in the Shingle is a collection of images and poems born out of the love of the author for the north Norfolk Coast, his home. The poems and images are entirely complementary, having an equal weight in the experience of reading and the appreciation of the photograph from which it derives - in turn, a visual record of a moment, of a privileged and unexpected meeting or insight. The juxtaposition of word and picture upon the page is therefore intended as artwork in its own right - a sum that is greater than the whole of its parts - for these pieces to evoke a sense of this special place and the birds at home here - during any and every time of the year!

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of a boy's life, growing up on a farm in the 1960s. Nine-year old Bill, the author, moves with his family from the suburbs of London to a dairy farm in North Devon, an idyllic environment where he grows up for the next ten years. Pithy anecdotes talk about his daily chores of looking after the cows and helping with the harvest, often turning into disasters - or adventures. With his dog Lucy, he roams the countryside observing wildlife, his passion, encountering birds of prey and his beloved butterflies and moths. He also loves to keep and breed many pets, particularly guinea pigs and budgerigars, yet, having to attend three different schools does not leave happy memories, until he meets the local girls - his first loves.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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