This morning I am talking about Passenger Pigeons in a double act with Tristan Reid in the Main Event Marquee at 1100 (until 1145). Come and listen to the tale of the Passenger Pigeon and what it signifies for us today in a countryside which is losing its farmland birds – and another pigeon, the Turtle Dove, in particular.
From 1200-1300 I’ll be happy to sign copies of A Message from Martha on the Wild Sounds stand in Marquee 3.
The Sunday Times (Andrew Holgate): ‘in his often jaw-dropping book he sets out to tell the story of this remarkable animal, and discover the reasons for its seemingly inexplicable demise. Piecing together the evidence, extrapolating from hazy first-hand accounts and taking his cue from other birds that are still with us, his book reads at times like the most arresting of mystery stories.’ – full review here
The Daily Mail: ‘He has charm and a sense of humour, and unlike some environmental activists, he doesn’t hector or guilt-trip you for not having a wind farm in your back garden. So when he tells you something, you pay attention. It’s a grim story, but oddly fascinating even so, for Avery has had to work hard to piece it together because facts are scarce.’ – full review here
Rare Bird Alert (Andrew Stoddart): ‘In his new freelance capacity, Mark Avery is one of the country’s most visible advocates for nature. To his already well-known skills as a scientist and a conservationist can now be added those of a writer. He is self-deprecating in his Preface about this new incarnation but these warnings are misplaced. Though much of the book is sombre in content, its tone is lively, enagaging and often humorous, some of it verging on the Brysonesque, full of telling anecdote and wry aside. Most impressive of all is the speech drafted for Barack Obama, setting out a vision and a set of actions which would place America on a brand new environmental course. Not only is it compelling in its content but it is beautifully and subtly crafted. It captures the cadences and rhythms of the forty-fourth President so astutely that one can be forgiven for thinking that it is he who is speaking. If only it were the case….’ – full review here
The Independent (James Attlee): ‘In its science, its history and its ecological insights, the book excels’ – full review here.
It’s only fair for me to point out that The Times and Telegraph weren’t any bit as keen on it, but why not find out yourself by buying a copy and reading it?
I will try to write a little review of my day at the Bird Fair each evening but its timing will be unpredictable!
And I can tantalise you with the fact that there will be a Guest Blog here early next week on the RSPB’s position on Hen Harriers and driven grouse shooting from their Chair, Professor Steve Ormerod.
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Hi Mark,will you please allow me to correct the thinking by a section of people who comment on here that I am anti RSPB which to me is important as Professer Steve doing a blog.
I am certainly not anti RSPB and have stated many times that I think that something like 97% of the time they do fantastic work and myself and O H have had help from lots of RSPB employees far more than we expected.
Of course I am critical of how little they have done for the protection of Hen Harriers and if some of these critics are from RSPB forum it is a very cheap jibe,if from RSPB supporters then you are very lucky people if you believe the RSPB do everything perfect all the time and I sincerely think you are loyal to the limit.
I have only a gripe about three thing with RSPB out of everything they do and on the plus side their reserves and re-introductions have allowed us to have many happy hours and days also seeing many species that we never imagined we would ever see.
I do believe it is good that at last they are now doing something in regard to helping Hen Harriers but what a pity as they are capable of doing so much more.
Maybe it is because the patron is Her Majesty and if so then my criticism is a bit unfair but if that is the case we (because I am long standing member)need a new patron.
Thank you Mark,hope you enjoy your time at the Bird Fair.
Just finished Message from Martha this morning staying in bed until 11 am to do so, its that kind of book, great writing and you have to get to the end. Its also an extremely compelling tale and the question of what finished off the Passenger Pigeon makes for some very interesting cogitations. The book and its message deserve a very wide audience and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the wider environmental movement. Great cover art too!
I have to say that this and Fighting for Birds are the two most thought provoking books on birds I’ve read in recent years. I look forward to the hat trick.