Standing up for Nature
Reviewed by Ian Carter This is another book in the burgeoning RSPB Spotlight series, this time dealing with a duo of well-known and superficially similar species. I can see the merits of covering both birds in the same book but it seems odd that the House Martin misses out. It shares the association with our…
This is not an atlas and it has no poems, but it is certainly botanical. What we have here is a delightful book about tropical botany. Originally written in French, by a rainforest expert, this introduces the reader to a few dozen remarkable tropical plants, many of which are trees. The illustrations, by the author,…
Tim writes: I really like smaller images of birds that show them in the context of their habitats. This Golden Plover was taken on remote blanket bog high on the Peak District moors where they are common breeding birds. You can see the Hare’s Tail Cotton-grass and Bilberry that is so characteristic of their breeding…
Reviewed by Ian Carter Aficionados of the humble, yet hard-pressed, Hedgehog are spoilt for choice these days. Hedgehog books are multiplying, as the animal itself becomes ever more difficult to track down. This mirrors a general trend in natural history writing. We have a rapidly expanding library of information at our finger-tips but, with every…
I popped into my local Waitrose today to check out the game on sale. This ‘Good Health’ Pheasant breast has a health warning on the bottom of the packet. It’s good that Waitrose is highlighting the lead issue – although it comes closer to lowlighting than highlighting, I’d say. I wonder what other supermarkets selling…
Yesterday evening at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, 11 people and projects received beautiful trophies designed by Bryony Knox and sponsored by Turcan Connell as winners of the 2018 Nature of Scotland Awards. Kate Humble said, ‘I’m thrilled to have hosted the Nature of Scotland Awards 2018 where I had the opportunity to meet…
The December issue of Birdwatch is as demanding of attention as all of its predecessors but this issue is the first under the editorship of long-term staff member, Rebecca Armstrong. Good start Rebecca! I’ve been sending Rebecca my copy every month for well over seven years now, and I’ve been on a couple of trips…
Wildlife trust issues proceedings in legal action against the government The Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) have issued proceedings in the High Court regarding their challenge to the government’s choice of route for a new highway and associated homes in between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. The group sent a pre-action protocol letter…
RSPB press release: The RSPB demands governments stop talking and start acting to save nature Over half of British people (63%) want stronger laws to protect our environment Seven out of ten British people (68%) would like to see an independent body set up in their country to enforce environmental laws And, nine out of…