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Cottongrass Summer

Cottongrass Summer

Essays of a naturalist throughout the year

by Roy Dennis

Published by: Saraband

Imprint: Saraband

176 Pages, 5.10 x 7.80 in

Paperback
9781912235889
Published: May 2022

$16.95

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Description
Contents
Authors
Praise

A collection of vibrant essays on climate change, and conservation to inform, stimulate and call every nature lover to action.

“I can’t think of a more important book that’s been written about British wildlife in the past 20 years ... Roy Dennis [is] the UK’s pre-eminent conservationist of the past half century .." BBC Countryfile Magazine

Through unparalleled expertise as a field naturalist, Roy Dennis is able to write about the natural world in a way that considers both the problems and the progress in ecology and conservation. Beginning with cottongrass, whose snow-white blooms blow gently in the wind across the wetter moors and bogs, this is a year-round trove of insight and knowledge for anyone who cares about the natural world, from birdsong and biodiversity to sphagnum and species reintroduction.

Written by one of the UK's most prominent advocates for rewilding, the essays have a clear message: Never give up on trying to conserve and restore wildlife and the wild places you cherish. It's essential to try and to succeed. And remember, it's never "if," but "when," and with climate chaos closing in, the time is now.

Introduction

Cottongrass

The salmon and the bear

Right trees, wrong places

The beauty of birdsong

Green J is back again

Orcas and seals

Quiet pride over red kites

Big fish

The bonnie heather hills of Scotland

Days in a real forest

Cheaper food and poorer farming

Caring for our planet - a Minister’s responsibilities Selective land management in Abernethy Forest

The tragedy of rare flowers

Bring back the beaver

The importance of traditional cattle to biodiversity

Giant pandas and thoughts of home

Always remember the bigger picture

The ecology of changing goose numbers

Bearded vulture and a lack of carrion

Storks and people

The danger of downpours

Rewilding: ecological restoration

Here today – gone tomorrow

A good day with red squirrels

Let’s have a sacred mountain

The Assassin of the Night

The decline of swifts and martins

All in a name

Too many badgers

Bounty from the seas

Thoughts on wild red grouse

Is the common mole a soil canary?

Nature’s networks

Lynx kittens in my pockets

Genes and the future of wildlife management

The optimism of Spring

Capercaillies and crofters’ cows

White stoat, green grass

Chance and the Wilson’s warbler

Insect Armageddon

New Year Birding

Sea eagles on Sunday

The deaf birder’s bird and the elusive lynx

Golden eagles – a new future

Looking at a footprint and thinking ‘Bear!’

Nature and the problems of tidiness

Why mentors matter

The true worth of nature

Our place on the planet

The invader from the Orient

Ecological resilience for our grandchildren’s grandchildren

Roy Dennis is one of the UK's most prominent field naturalists. His approach to wildlife and conservation stems from years of experience working in the field, from climbing trees to ring osprey chicks to handling lynx kittens in Norway - and wanting to smuggle them back to Scotland. His Wildlife Foundation of 25 years' standing is internationally recognised for its work in conservation and wildlife protection.

"I can't think of a more important book that's been written about British wildlife in the past 20 years ... Roy Dennis [is] the UK's pre-eminent conservationist of the past half century ... he writes with such conviction, clarity, insight, depth and purpose ... If you read any book about the environment this year, read this." BBC Countryfile Magazine, Best Nature Books of 2020
"Reminds me strongly of Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, a classic of the ecological literature … to give you an idea of this book's clarity and worth." Mark Avery, naturalist, Nature Book of the Year
"Roy is not just a brilliant conservationist but a superb naturalist too ... These beautiful essays are also positive and pragmatic about the future ... absolutely joyous." Chris Packham, BBC presenter and naturalist
"In an exhilarating roundelay of profoundly questioning essays, Roy Dennis has revealed a lifetime in nature conservation, while also delivering a sparkling vision for an ecologically sustainable Highlands, the country and the planet. …we must all learn from the deep wisdom of experience." Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE, naturalist, author and regular contributor to the Guardian
"Fine and very enjoyable ... packed with a wisdom that only comes from lifelong experience." Stephen Moss, author of bestselling nature books and monthly Birdwatch columnist for the Guardian
"This is a cracking book full of beautifully descriptive prose and thought-provoking sentiments by a man who, more than anyone else, has been there, done that and got the T-shirt." Iolo Williams, nature writer and BBC presenter

Cottongrass Summer

Essays of a naturalist throughout the year

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