This is an excellent book produced by a local natural history society to celebrate its 70 years of existence. It takes 70 local species and tells the reader interesting things about them. We meet the Red Squirrels of Mersea Island, the coastal Brent Goose, Essex Skipper, Fisher’s Estuarine Moth, the Abberton Weevil, Giant Puffball, a slime mould, Shrubby Sea-blite and the liverwort Wall Scalewort. Each of these nine species accounts, and those for the other 61 species, are entertaining and informative reads. If they get into the hands of lots of residents who are currently ignoring natural history then some may succumb to its fascination. The species are likely to interest those living far from this corner of the south-east, particularly because species that get to Essex from the continent may be heading your way soon.
Perhaps another version for 75 years would be a hit too? It’s not true that the only way is Essex, but this way is a very good way to celebrate your local Essex wildlife.
The cover? The cover is excellent and I’d give it 9/10.
CNHS70 is edited by Sarah Manning and is published by the Colchester Natural History Society.
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