Search results for ""Author Mike Unwin""

The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviours of our favourite animals with eye-catching, colour photography and informative expert text. Hero or villain? Few animals divide opinion like the Red Fox. This most successful of the world’s wild canids has lived alongside people from time immemorial. Celebrated by some for its resourcefulness and lush pelt, reviled by others for plundering chicken runs and overturning bins, it has worked its way deep into Western. Behind the folklore and tabloid headlines, however, lies a remarkable natural history success story. In Spotlight: Foxes Mike Unwin explores how the Red Fox’s versatility has allowed it to thrive across the northern hemisphere, from desert and mountain to farmland and urban jungle. This informative book covers all aspects of the Red Fox biology and lifestyle, including hunting and catching food, defending a territory, raising a litter and communication strategies. Finally, it examines the complex, often troubled relationship that the fox has both enjoyed and endured with humankind, and suggests what the future might hold.

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This new, thoroughly revised edition of Bradt's Southern Africa Wildlife guide provides an overview of all southern African wildlife - not only 'big game' and other large mammals, but also birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Excellent for independent travellers, it is reliable as a standalone guide combining both wildlife and visitor information, and is also a perfect complement to traditional field guides. Countries covered include Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe, with Malawi and Zambia both added to this new edition. Colour photographs illustrate all key species and the engaging text extends beyond basic identification features to illuminate the natural history and ecology of the wildlife that visitors will encounter. Text has been updated throughout to reflect the latest conservation initiatives and wildlife population figures. Included are a practical guide to tracks and signs, plus top tips for optimising your wildlife experience, as well as a 'where to go' overview which outlines the key wildlife attractions of each country and, together with a seasonal highlights calendar, enables visitors to plan a safari that suits their interests.

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Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATIONChapter 1 Background Information Geography, Climate, Habitats, Wildlife, History, Government and politics, Economy and infrastructure, People, Language, Culture Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tourist information and services, Tour operators, Red tape, Getting there and away, Health, Safety and security, Women travellers, Travelling with children, Gay/lesbian travellers 123, Disabled travellers 123, What to take 123, Money, banking and budgeting 124, Getting around 125, Accommodation 127, Food and drink 129, Public holidays, festivals and events 130, Shopping 131, Arts and entertainment 132, Going out 133, Sport and activities 134, Media 136, Communications 137, Cultural etiquette and greetings 138, Photography 138, Travelling positively 140PART TWO THE GUIDE 145Chapter 3 Mbabane and the Ezulwini Valley 147Mbabane 147, Ezulwini Valley 160Chapter 4 The Heartland 173Lobamba 174, Mlilwane Wildlife S

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Captivating illustrations and lively text make this follow-up to the bestselling My First Book of Garden Birds the perfect first introduction to garden animals. Inside, young readers meet twenty common garden animals, birds and insects in a fun question-and-answer format. Try to guess the animal from the clues then turn over the page to discover its name and more facts.

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From amazing apes to fearsome lions, see what you can find as you turn the page and take a journey round the zoo. This fantastic introduction to zoo animals will delight every child with its engaging question-and-answer format. Features a large variety of fun facts and detailed illustrations.

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With an introduction from Michael Morpurgo. The boy untied the sack and, to everyone's amazement, out tumbled a little furry bear cub... Have you ever heard of mountain-climbing elephants? Could a brave dog make a parachute jump?Featuring over thirty true tales of incredible animal heroes, uncover the stories of:Heroic bears Drone-catching eagles Diving dolphins Sassy cats And much, MUCH more! This book brings you the heart-wrenching real stories of the animals who traversed treacherous paths, made daring rescues and went above and beyond to save human lives. When caught in human conflicts, these animals have all shown bravery, friendship, or brought comfort. Journey throughout history from Hannibal's elephants, to a guide dog in the Twin Towers - and uncover 34 amazing real animal stories.

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RSPB Spotlight: Eagles is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist. Eagles are among the most impressive hunters of the animal world. Their predatory prowess and flying skills have imbued them with a romance and mystique that runs deep in our culture and has elevated them to emblems of freedom and power across the globe. At the same time, however, people have long seen eagles as competitors. Reviled by farmers and gamekeepers as snatchers of livestock, many species have been driven into decline by persecution and disturbance. Two species of eagle occur in Britain - among 60 worldwide - and are the focus of this book. The regal Golden Eagle is the definitive ‘true’ eagle and occurs in wilderness areas across the northern hemisphere; the even larger White-tailed Eagle, reintroduced to the UK after historic extinction, belongs to the separate ‘sea eagles’ genus. These two spectacular birds are both very rare – confined largely to the remote Scottish Highlands – and a sighting of either is one of the UK's most exciting and sought-after wildlife experiences. This highly readable study looks separately at both UK eagles, exploring how each is adapted as an apex predator in its own environment, and explores the relationship between the two. Separate chapters cover all aspects of the birds’ biology and lifestyle, from defending their vast territories to raising their young. Fascinating secrets are revealed, including the brutal truth behind ‘Cain and Abel’ syndrome. The book also takes a look at other eagles around the world, placing the two UK species within this broader context. Finally, it examines the complex relationship that humans have enjoyed with eagles since time immemorial, spanning both culture and conservation, and offers expert tips on where and how you can watch these magnificent birds for yourself. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviours of our favourite animals with eye-catching, colour photography and informative expert text.

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Take a tour of 20 unforgettable animal homes: unearth polar bear dens deep beneath the Arctic snow, soar above eagle nests as big as cars and marvel at the remoras that make themselves comfortable on the ocean''s deadliest predators.Finding Home is a celebration of animals and their drive to survive no matter the odds - finding shelter in every nook and cranny on Earth, from the obvious to the unusual. With rich, vivid non-fiction storytelling and arresting illustrations, this is an essential collection for anyone fascinated by animals and the wild ways they live.A stunning sequel from Mike Unwin and Jenni Desmond, the internationally bestselling duo behind Migration.

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The Atlas of Birds captures the breathtaking diversity of birds, and illuminates their conservation status around the world. Full-color maps show where birds are found, both by country and terrain, and reveal how an astounding variety of behavioral adaptations--from flight and feeding to nest building and song--have enabled them to thrive in virtually every habitat on Earth. Maps of individual journeys and global flyways chart the amazing phenomenon of bird migration, while bird classification is explained using maps for each order and many key families. Conservation provides a strong focus throughout, with maps illustrating where and why birds are most under threat, and what is being done to protect them. Separate sections examine key factors influencing their distribution and endangering their survival, from deforestation and climate change to invasive species and the cage-bird trade. Bird groups most affected, such as island endemics, are highlighted, while a fascinating chapter explores the complex historical relationship between birds and humans, with maps and data for everything from poultry farming to birdwatching. The maps are supported by an authoritative text that uses the very latest data and case studies from BirdLife International. Packed with sumptuous photos, original diagrams, and imaginative graphics that bring the numbers to life, this book is a stunning and timely insight into perhaps the most colorful and intriguing group of organisms on our planet. * The premier illustrated atlas of bird diversity, behavior, and conservation * Features full-color maps, photos, and diagrams * Covers bird evolution, classification, and behavior * Describes the complex relationship between birds and their habitats * Explores the impact of human activities on species survival * Illustrates where and why birds are most under threat--and how to protect them

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RSPB 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 lives and behaviour of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photography and informative expert text.

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A FUN, SIMPLE GAME of matching pairs, suitable for ages 6+. In the format of a classic memory game, Under the Sea will have you pairing up ocean animals from dolphins to sea urchins.50 BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED CARDS featuring diverse wildlife from the world's oceansLEARN ABOUT THE ANIMALS in the accompanying full-colour booklet with text from acclaimed nature writer Mike UnwinTHE PERFECT GIFT for budding marine biologists, animal lovers, or anyone looking for a beautiful family gameLAURENCE KING PUBLISHING has been capturing imaginations and inspiring creativity in new and unexpected ways for over 30 years, with playful and eye-catching games, gifts and booksCan you find a pair of puffins? A couple of clownfish? A duo of dolphins? Remember where the animals are hiding and match them up to win this fun family game for ocean adventurers.Learn about the fish, mammals and crustaceans from the game in the accompanying booklet as you play. Play as a memory game with the cards face down and collect the most pairs to win!Other matching games from Laurence King Publishing include: Match a Track, Match a Pair of Birds, Who Did This Poo?, Pick a Flower, Match These Bones, Match a Mummy, Match a Leaf, Dogs & Puppies, Cats & Kittens, Do You Look Like Your Dog?, Do You Look Like Your Cat?

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THE INTERNATIONAL PHENOMENON SOLD IN 10 LANGUAGES – FROM AWARD-WINNING ILLUSTRATOR JENNI DESMOND AND UK TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR MIKE UNWIN Brrrr! It’s the middle of the Antarctic. All you can see for miles is ice. But look closer. A line of figures is trooping over the frozen terrain. From a distance they look like people. But soon you can see that they’re penguins, each follows the one in front. Follow the amazing migrations of 20 creatures in this spectacular book: trek across South Africa with gigantic elephants, scour Christmas Island and find a million red crabs, and observe a cloud of fruit bats as they take to the midnight sky over Kasanka Forest. Travel around the globe with some of the world's most incredible animals and discover their unique migration stories. Written by Mike Unwin, a UK Travel Writer of the Year, and illustrated by Jenni Desmond, winner of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, prepare yourself for a journey like no other.

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ForewordThe call of the weird1 GETTING AROUND2 GRABBING A BITE3 STAYING ALIVE4 SHOWING OFF5 PASSING IT ON6 GETTING ALONGConservation contactsAcknowledgementsIndex

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From Ravens to Jackdaws and Choughs to Jays, crows are among some of Britain's most familiar, abundant and opinion-dividing birds. The UK's eight crow species all belong to the Corvidae family, and they have been deeply intertwined in our lives and culture since prehistoric times. Crows have long attracted a bad press. Reviled as scavengers, crop raiders and jewellery thieves, these birds – known to scientists as corvids – have often found themselves on the wrong end of a shotgun. Yet behind crows' supposed misdemeanours lies exceptional intelligence and resourcefulness, which both explain their success and have taught us much about animal behaviour. In Spotlight Crows, Mike Unwin introduces the UK's eight corvid species, outlining their fascinating natural history and offering essential identification tips. He also explores the mythology and folklore that have embedded these remarkable birds so deeply in our culture, from nursery rhymes to horror movies. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photography and informative expert text.

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Take a journey through the garden and discover the bugs that are living there. The beautiful illustrations create the world of the garden, combined with text that leads young readers to the hiding places of various bugs. inviting them to guess what creature they have found. My First Book of Garden Bugs is the perfect introduction to the names of some common garden insects, along with interesting facts about them.

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Africa is home to an amazing array of animals, including the world’s most diverse assortment of large mammals. These include the world’s largest terrestrial mammal, the African elephant, alongside a host of hooved mammals such as hippopotamuses, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and zebras. African Ark: Mammals, Landscape and the Ecology of a Continent tells the story of where these mammals have come from and how they have interacted to create the richly varied landscape that makes up Africa as we know it today. It also highlights small mammals, such as rodents and bats, which are often overlooked by both naturalists and zoologists in favour of their larger cousins. African Ark explains the processes through which species and population groups are formed and how these fluctuate over time. It explores the impact of megafauna on the environment and the important roles they play in shaping the landscape. In this way, mammals such as elephants and rhinoceros support countless plant communities and the habitats of many smaller animals. The book brings in a human perspective as well as a conservation angle in its assessment of the interaction of African mammals with the people who live alongside them. African Ark is at once scientifically rigorous and an engaging read for anyone dedicated to the understanding of Africa and its wildlife.

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“Magnificent. . . . David Tipling’s lush photographs stun and delight with every page. . . . Mr. Tipling’s skill in telling the birds’ stories is broad and unrivaled. Flights of Passage is a privileged look at birds as we’ve never seen them before.”—Julie Zickefoose, Wall Street Journal A visually stunning, photographically driven celebration of bird migration—one of the great marvels of the natural world The vast transcontinental journeys made every year by millions of feathered migrants were not known to naturalists before the late nineteenth century. Even today, while cutting‑edge technology such as geolocators and isotope analysis helps us map these journeys in detail, much of the science remains poorly understood. In this luxuriously illustrated volume, celebrated nature writer Mike Unwin and award‑winning photographer David Tipling highlight sixty‑seven different species of birds from around the world and explore how each has adapted to its migratory cycle. As they bring to life the drama of the Bar‑headed Goose’s journey over the Himalayas and the amazing sixty‑thousand‑mile annual round trip taken by the Arctic Tern between the United Kingdom and Antarctica, Unwin and Tipling offer deep insights into the science, mysteries, and wonders of migration.

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This new RSPB-endorsed book is a practical, exciting and comprehensive introduction to watching birds, for children aged 8-12 years. Lavishly illustrated throughout with full-colour photographs and paintings, it begins by discussing general birding - where to go and when, what equipment to take with you, tips on attracting birds to your garden, how to take field notes etc. The second half of the book comprises a field guide to more than a hundred and thirty of the commonest species of Britain and Ireland, using clear illustrations backed up by concise, straightforward text describing key identification points, such as behaviour, voice and habitat. This informative and lively book will greatly enhance children's enjoyment of birdwatching, and will help to engender a lifetime of enthusiasm for birds and birding.

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Think you know your birds? Think again! Did you know that Kingfishers and Kookaburras are cousins and that Roadrunners and Cuckoos are related? Based on Happy Families and Go Fish, in Bird Families the aim is to collect as many sets of birds as you can. As you rush to collect four finches, four parrots or four woodpeckers before your opponents, marvel at the diversity of bird shapes, sizes and colours from around the world. This beautiful and educational game comes with a booklet describing all the species featured. It's fun for all the family and is sure to delight players of all ages.SIMPLE GAMEPLAY: Based on Happy Families and Go Fish, this card game is quick and easy to learn for all the family, meaning instant screen-free fun!BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED: With rich and colourful illustrations and a high-quality box and cards, this is a game to cherish foreverLEARN AS YOU PLAY: The accompanying booklet has information about all the birds in the game from nature writer Mike UnwinUNIQUE GIFT: The perfect present for bird watchers and nature loversIN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RSPB: The RSPB is the UK's largest nature-conservation charity, protecting habitats, saving species and helping to end the climate and nature emergency. By buying this product you are helping to fund the RSPB's conservation work.LAURENCE KING PUBLISHING has been capturing imaginations and inspiring creativity in new and unexpected ways for over 30 years, with playful and eye-catching games, gifts and books.The Orion Publishing Group Ltd will donate a minimum of £5,000 to RSPB Sales Ltd, which gives all its distributable profits through Gift Aid to the RSPB, in connection with the Bird Vision and Bird Families products which carry the RSPB trade marks.

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A lavishly illustrated celebration of each of the world’s sixty-eight currently recognized eagle species in all their magnificence and beguiling diversity Eagles hold a unique allure among birds for their combination of power, grace, and predatory prowess. Captivating the human imagination, these raptors have symbolized pride, freedom, and independence of spirit since humankind’s earliest times. This book, unlike any previous volume, encompasses each of the world’s sixty-eight currently recognized eagle species, from the huge Steller’s Sea-eagle that soars above Japan’s winter ice floes to the diminutive Little Eagle that hunts over the Australian outback. Mike Unwin’s vivid and authoritative descriptions combined with stunning photographs taken or curated by David Tipling deliver a fascinating and awe-inspiring volume. Featuring chapters organized by habitat, the book investigates the lifestyle and unique adaptations of each eagle species, as well as the significance of eagles in world cultures and the threats they face from humans. A gorgeous appreciation of eagles, this book will dazzle both eye and imagination.

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This family-friendly game is packed with ocean creatures for hours of bingo fun. Includes such favourites as the emperor penguin, sea otter, killer whale and Pacific seahorse as well as lesser known sea inhabitants like the yellow-bellied sea snake and the bioluminescent octopus. Boasting 64 weird, wonderful and beautiful species, Ocean Bingo is filled with fun facts and glorious illustrations that are guaranteed to delight aquatic afficionados. Mark each species off on your card as it’s called and be the first to shout BINGO!

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This beautiful and inspiring book tells the stories of 80 birds around the world: from the Sociable Weaver Bird in Namibia which constructs huge, multi-nest 'apartment blocks' in the desert, to the Bar-headed Goose of China, one of the highest-flying migrants which crosses the Himalayas twice a year.Many birds come steeped in folklore and myth, some are national emblems and a few have inspired scientific revelation or daring conservation projects. Each has a story to tell that sheds a light on our relationship with the natural world and reveals just how deeply birds matter to us.

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MATCHING GAME FOR NATURE LOVERS - A more challenging take on the traditional pair-based matching gameSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS - Gameplay options designed to suit children, families and adultsTEXT BY A ZOOLOGIST - Learn about the 15 animal families with text explaining why the animals in each family don't all look alikeSTUNNING ILLUSTRATIONS - 45 incredibly detailed watercolour illustrations by internationally acclaimed artist Ryuto MiyakeTHE PERFECT GIFT - Design-led, high-spec illustrated game for hours of fun and maximum gifting potentialBEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED - Reunite all 15 animal families held within the attractively designed and finished box. measuring 235 x 125 x 34mm - perfect for taking anywhere on the go!Can you bring the families together? Match both parents with their offspring to make the animal families. The accompanying booklet explains why one member of the family (or sometimes all three!) looks so different from the others. Take your memory skills to the next level with this three of a kind matching game!

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SIMPLE GAMEPLAY: Based on Happy Families and Go Fish, this is quick and easy to learn for all the family, so you can get playing straight awayBEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED: With rich and colourful illustrations and a high-quality box and cards, this is a game to cherish foreverLEARN AS YOU PLAY: The accompanying booklet features information about all the birds in the game from nature writer Mike UnwinUNIQUE GIFT: The perfect present for bird watchers and nature loversThink you know your birds? Think again! Did you know that Kingfishers and Kookaburras are cousins, and that pesky Pigeons have a crested relative called the Jacobin? Based on Happy Families and Go Fish, in Bird Families the aim is to get as many sets of birds as you can. As you rush to collect four finches, four parrots or four woodpeckers before your opponents, marvel at the diversity of colours and plumage from around the world. This beautiful and educational game comes with a booklet describing all the species featured. It's fun for all the family and is sure to delight players of all ages.

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