Poppy Dean – Hoopoe – A blog by nhbs

This Week in Biodiversity News – 13th January

Wildlife

Water Vole populations are undergoing a national decline in the UK. A new report from the Wildlife Trusts, The National Water Vole Database Project Report, was released last month to document the findings of a nationwide investigation examining Water Vole distribution over the past ten years. Although the report documented a 39% decrease in the number of occupied areas across the UK, it also identified a further 11 new regional key areas of increasing local populations, including several in East Anglia and Yorkshire. The report reveals a bleak national picture with declines across the country due to habitat loss and deterioration, but shows that in the right conditions, and with the help of conservation practitioners, it is possible to reverse their historic decline.

Bumblebee on a lavender flower — Image by Indy via Flickr

Conservationists have observed active worker bumblebees nest-building in Scotland during the winter months. Unusually mild weather during the Christmas period has led to early awakening from hibernation, and at least two species have started to build new nests early in the winter season. However, the subsequent return of cold weather and the scarcity of winter food sources pose a significant threat to these early nests, risking their collapse. In this instance, fewer queens would be available to build nests in the spring and could contribute to the national decline of bumblebees.

Conservation

The National Trust has announced plans to create 250,000 hectares of biodiverse landscape. Equivalent to 1.5 times the size of Greater London, these nature-rich landscapes across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will address a current national need and are estimated to provide habitat for 1 billion earthworms. Labelled audacious yet achievable, this goal will be actioned on Trust properties, but also in partnership with other organisations, farmers and communities, to create larger tracts of landscape to tackle the climate and nature crises.

Male Lynx in the snow — Image by Tambako the Jaguar via Flickr

Last week, Lynx were reported in the Cairngorms National Park. A total of four animals were illegally released and subsequently captured by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RSS), where they were taken to be quarantined at Highland Wildlife Park (later one sadly died). The source of these animals remains unknown, but experts have raised concerns about the nature of their release – these animals were released in sub-zero temperatures within areas of logging activity, which has been deemed a highly irresponsible action that has drawn criticism from conservationists.

Climate Crisis

2024 marks the first calendar year to surpass the 1.5°C warming limit. Now thought to be the world’s hottest year on record, 2024 has brought the world closer to breaking the international warming target of 1.5°C – although this target is based on long-term temperature averages, last year’s trends signify an upturn in global temperature, with the last decade being the warmest on record. Predominantly due to harmful greenhouse gas emissions, which are still at record highs, this record is met with calls for cuts in emissions over this calendar year.

Wind turbines at sunset — Image by Michael Mueller via Flickr

The UK generated its cleanest electricity ever in 2024, with 58% from low-carbon sources. The amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels has halved in the past decade, with the UK having seen an upturn in the use of renewable energy sources. In the past twelve months, renewables have generated 45% of the UK’s power, and when including nuclear sources, this number totals to 58%. Despite this, fossil fuels are still generating approximately 29% of electricity in the UK, and in order to meet climate and emission targets experts are urging for an accelerated phase out.

Finance

In a ‘landmark’ deal, the world’s first private sector loan based on biodiversity net gain unit models has been granted. Triodos Bank UK has loaned £3.85m to environmental consultancy Nature Impact – the money will be used to purchase a total of 122 acres over two sites, unlocking degraded farmland for biodiversity net gain. These degraded sites will undergo restoration and habitat creation, including native wildflower meadows and wetlands, to enhance their support of British wildlife and climate goals.

Habitat restoration site with wildflowers — Image by Robert Miller via Flickr

Ecologists at Oxford University have designed a new framework to classify how a unit of nature is defined for biodiversity credits. In the review, researchers acknowledge the lack of clarity on how one unit of nature is defined, or how measurements are standardised, and demonstrated the challenges involved with the biodiversity credit market. It presents a framework exploring how biodiversity is quantified, how positive outcomes are detected and how the number of credits can be adjusted to account for uncertainties. The authors caution against biodiversity credits to offset negative impacts, and instead direct focus on avoiding and reducing these factors.

This Week in Biodiversity News – 30th December

Conservation

Tasmania’s farmers are helping to conserve native grassland. These critically endangered habitats have undergone widespread deterioration due to historical agricultural practices, and remaining patches are degraded and fragmented throughout the state. An innovative partnership between landowners, the Tasmanian Conservancy and Bush Heritage Australia – the Midlands Conservation Partnership (MCP) – was formed to conserve and protect native grassland on private property through empowering farmers to manage their land sustainably.

Tiger in Jacksonville Zoo — Image by Caitlin Regan via Flickr

A growing number of zoos across the globe are reporting animal death by avian influenza. The virus appears to be spreading throughout captive animal collections, which could have grave, and potentially fatal, consequences for endangered species – already, zoos have reported deaths of a number of threatened species, including lions, tigers and panthers. It is thought to have been spread through infected wild birds landing in open air enclosures, and experts emphasise the need for enhanced biosecurity, or vaccination, to ensure the safety of captive animals.

A leading wildlife expert is calling for the legalisation of rhino horn trade. Martin Wikelski wrote to the journal Science, urging authorities to take the market out of criminal hands, in order to establish carefully monitored, legal transactions and regain control of the market. Wikelski argues that monitored trade could help to raise money for increased protective measures and save the last remaining populations, since crime syndicates have overcome every countermeasure that has been implemented to protect rhinos thus far.

White rhino in South Africa — Image by Ian Turk via Flickr

Discoveries

Twenty-seven species new to science have been discovered in a survey in Peru. A 38-day survey in Alto Mayo, a well-populated region in north-west Peru, has uncovered over 2,000 species of wildlife and plants, including new, rare and threatened species. Of these species previously unknown to science, there are four mammals, an arboreal salamander, seven species of new fish, a frog, ten butterflies and two dung beetles – and a further 48 species are awaiting verification before confirming their discovery. Alongside these exciting new discoveries, the expedition identified 49 threatened species from the IUCN Red List, including birds, amphibians and primates, and it is hoped that these discoveries will bolster conservation work in the region.

A recent study has discovered that right whales may live almost twice as long as previously thought. Four decades of photo identification data was used to analyse the life expectancy of Northern Atlantic Right Whales and Southern Right Whales. Researchers observed a life expectancy of up to 150 years for Southern Right Whales, and a contrasting 22-year average for North Atlantic Right Whales – primarily due to anthropogenic impacts, including entanglement in fishing gear, ship collisions or starvation which could be linked to environmental change. Authors plan to expand the scope of the study to examine other whale populations, in order to learn more about how whaling practices have impacted the abundance of older individuals and allow for estimates of recovery to pre-whaling population sizes.

Wildlife

Data shows that almost three quarters of the UK’s Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) have had no assessment of their condition since the start of 2019. These sites consist of ecologically valuable habitats, wildlife and natural features, and are legally protected to prevent environmental degradation. In the last assessment, nearly 40% of features were in unfavourable condition, and without further monitoring, conservationists warn that British wildlife could be disappearing unnoticed. In response, a long-term programme is being developed by Natural England to determine SSSI assessment, as well as making improvements to monitoring and data use.

a clutch of bird eggs in a nest — Image by Lisa Risager via Flickr

Over 6,000 wild bird eggs have been seized in the UK. In the largest haul of it’s kind, raids from Scotland, South Yorkshire, Essex, Wales and Gloucester uncovered thousands of wild bird eggs in attics, offices and drawers. The raids took place under Operation Pulka – an international effort tackling wildlife crime, especially the trading of bird eggs. Harvesting by egg collectors is placing additional pressures on already threatened and rare wildlife, and for species with a limited geographic range, could be the difference between existence and extinction.

Author interview with James Shipman: Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland

Packed with insider information, Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland offers expert guidance on how to identify bats in the hand for beginners and field ecologists alike. Filling a gap between introductory books and more technical volumes, this humorous guide uses detailed images, diagrams and tables to communicate, in simple terms, the fundamentals of bat ecology, survey equipment, techniques required when training for a bat licence and the key features that distinguish one species from another.

James Shipman is an ecologist and bat enthusiast who loves to inspire and motivate future bat workers. He works as a senior ecologist and is involved in numerous bat-related projects. In 2016 he was recognised with the Bat Conservation Trust’s Pete Guest Award for outstanding contribution to bat conservation.

We recently chatted with James about his inspiration for the book, which challenges he faced when constructing a detailed identification guide and more.

Can you tell us a little about yourself, your history of working with bats, and why you chose to write this book?

Originally I planned to work as a game ranger in South Africa, but after returning to the UK, I studied zoology, met my wife and fell into landscaping as my first career and passion. A roofer and a builder both mentioned that I may ‘like’ working with bats, as I’m an animal person, so I explored the idea of them as a hobby!

After a few events I was gripped, and I have now volunteered with bats for nearly 15 years with the intention to install passion, enthusiasm and fun into everything bat-related for volunteers and professionals! Within this time I have helped to train over 50-75 individuals (could be more, I don’t count!) and after nearly 20 years in the landscaping sector, I now work in ecology as a professional.

During my years of training, I found that the more serious and technical books available out there made it hard to learn, and that digestible guidance that was fun, relatable and easy to work with would be beneficial! A lot of my trainees suggested the idea for the book originally, and other bat authors with Pelagic mentioned to the publishers that I would bring a nice approach to ID for ecologists – so here we are.

You have taken a relatable, and oftentimes humorous, approach in the way Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland was written. Why did you feel this was important, and with that in mind who is this book designed for?

Who said science, research and volunteering can’t be fun! If you enjoy what you do, it’s more fun and you usually get more out of it!

I thought it was important to bring my open, welcoming personality to bats and volunteering into the book, as well as an understanding of how hard it can be to learn in the world of ecology.

Public opinion of bats is often contested, and their associations with rabies and vampirism contribute to this negative perception. This guide contains a section on the myths and rumours of bats – why did you feel it was important to debunk these misconceptions?

Well spotted! It’s one of my favourite parts of any walk, talk, training or even in the book itself. Bats have such a negative view through media – whether it’s Halloween, Covid or other diseases, the positives (not just bats but anything in life) are very rarely talked about! So let’s try and win one for the bats – 2,000 less mosquito bites a night is a good seller!

This guide also features vagrants and species that are extremely rare in the UK. How did you navigate writing about species that you may not have met? And did you find it challenging to construct identification guidance for these scarcer species?

Fortunately I have handled and seen these species abroad in my years of volunteering and training (which I will touch more on in your last question), and I have even been lucky to handle one or two of these in the UK too!

The hardest part of it all was trying to address the elephant in the room (or maybe I should say vagrant in the sky!). I believe there are now 21 species found in the UK – some of these are not proven residents, but are not far off – plus a few others that I chose not to include at the time of publication as records were too scarce!

Were there any other challenges that you came across in the process of writing this book?

As previously mentioned, mental health is important in all areas of life, and I felt that slight delays in finishing this book were due to anxiety of judgement on the final product. However, many close friends and ex-trainees assured me that more positives will come of this work than negatives.

The book is aimed at any level of bat worker and should taken with a light hearted approach. It’s important to address these things when discussing books and publishing – it’s a hard process, and without friends, family and a decent publisher (plus the bats) you can sometimes feel isolated. Luckily, I had the best support from all of the above!

What’s your advice for those just getting started in this field?

Well I could say read the book (haha), there are some good sections about starting out with bats. In short, don’t give up, persist, find bat workers who are open, friendly and passionate with no judgement (they are out there, I’m one of them), and most importantly have fun!

Finally, what’s next for you? Do you have plans for more books in the future?

Um… a break! It’s harder than I ever imagined. However, I would love to eventually write a similar book for bats of Europe! But it may take a while to compile some new jokes!

Identifying Bats of Britain and Ireland is available from our online bookstore here.

This Week in Biodiversity News – 16th December

Environment

An area larger than India has permanently degraded into arid conditions, research shows. Studies by the UN Science Policy Interface have reported that up to three quarters of the world’s land has experienced likely irreversible drying in the past thirty years and now, arid drylands make up 40% of land on earth. Driven by climate change, poor farming practices, excessive water extraction and many other factors, this drying could see significant decreases in crop yield, GDP, and a reduction in the capacity of the land to store water.

viviparous lizard — Image by David Evans via Flickr

A two-year restoration project in Avon Heath Country Park will help to restore a rare habitat. Funded by Defra, £1.2 million will be used to restore this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) that is home to 2.5% of the world’s remaining lowland heathland. The 210-hectare site provides key habitat for all of Britain’s native reptiles, including Smooth Snakes and ground-nesting birds such as Woodlarks and Nightjars. Restoration work will involve the removal of invasive rhododendron, scrub and pine trees to rejuvenate the heathland and increase the availability of light for low-lying plants.

Conservation

A recent survey has shown that Grey Squirrels are invading Red Squirrel strongholds. Conducted by Red Squirrels Northern England (RSNE), the survey assessed 246 sites for an annual squirrel check. The survey found a rising presence of Grey Squirrels in Red Squirrel strongholds, a trend described as ‘concerning’ by RSNE project officers. These invasive, non-native species were found in 69% of surveyed sites, a 6.8% increase from last year and are now outnumbering Red Squirrels in Cumbria and Northumberland. However, RSNE successfully recorded a 2% increase of Red Squirrels in survey sites, up from 50% in 2023.

Cutting-edge technology is being used to inform forestry management in the UK. Forestry England is employing bioacoustic technology, environmental DNA (eDNA) and drones to inform conservation efforts across multiple sites. EDNA gathered from soil, air and water is being used to build a better picture of community composition across 21 forestry sites, and after four months of sampling, 5,000 unique fungal species and 1,000 invertebrate species have been identified. Bioacoustic data is also being gathered across four areas in Somerset, Dorset, Northumberland and North Yorkshire and will be used to track bumblebee activity through analysis of flight sound. This detailed data will be used to form a new biodiversity baseline to monitor the effectiveness of conservation efforts in the midst of biodiversity decline and climate change.

A light brown rodent is sat on a river bank underneath grasses, it has small black eyes and a small brown nose — Image by Peter Trimming via Flickr

A reintroduction project has seen the return of Water Voles along the Severn shoreline, levels and moors of North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. Led by the West of England Nature Partnership (WENP) in collaboration with Bristol Zoological Society, the programme is seeking to restore intertidal habitats, wetlands and peatlands, and part of this will be actioned through re-establishing Water Voles in the area. Avon Wildlife Trust have observed evidence that these animals have returned to the area, contributing to the region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Policy

Angela Rayner has been met with criticism following an interview discussing Labour’s housing pledge. With plans to build 1.5 million homes and fast-track over 150 major infrastructure projects, wildlife protection may take a back seat. Rayner expressed concern for those who desperately need housing, stating that providing homes in the UK should not be sacrificed for wildlife protection. Despite critics deeming the targets ‘unrealistic’, Rayner assured that compliance with national building plans would be mandatory under Labour’s National Planning Policy Framework.

Great crested newt in a hand — Image by Chris H via Flickr

Vital scrubland habitats are at risk following Labour’s announcement to build on grey belt land. Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has pledged to build 1.5 million homes on redefined green belt land, known as grey belt land. With what some call a ‘vague definition’ of grey belt land, swathes of countryside could be sacrificed for housing developments, in areas that could have been transformed to woodland or wetland habitats. This traditional landscape is vital for wildlife, including birds, reptiles and amphibians, and could prove essential in meeting 30×30 targets.

A Beginners Guide to Fungal Spore Printing

Whether you are a budding mycologist or a creative naturalist, spore printing can be a fantastic way to learn more about the intricate biology of fungi, and offers a unique glimpse into their inner structure. It is quick, simple and requires few resources to get started, allowing you to uniquely capture fantastic detail in just a few hours.

In this beginner’s guide, we delve into why we make spore prints and share how to capture the perfect print for identification or decoration.

What are spores?

Spores are the primary reproductive unit of fungi, consisting of haploid cells that contain the genetic material required to reproduce. They are generally released from the gills or pores located underneath the cap of the mushroom, where they are then distributed through the environment via air currents or animal movement. Once the spores have landed on a substrate with a suitable growing environment, they form hyphal threads, gradually building a mycelial network. When environmental conditions are ideal, the mycelium will develop to produce the widely-recognised, and widely loved mushroom fruiting body.

Why make a spore print?

Spore prints are used for a range of reasons and are an essential skill for budding mycologists.

For those interested in mycology, or even foraging for food, spore prints can help with fungal identification by analysing the shape, size, colour, pattern and density of spores (although exercise caution with foraged goods as spore printing alone is not a reliable form of identification). It is also possible to observe spore characteristics microscopically to aid in identification, which can be done by obtaining a print on a microscope slide.

For collectors and enthusiasts, it is possible to grow your own mushrooms using the spores collected with this technique, and many others choose to simply admire their intricate biology with this informative process.

Death Cap mushroom spore prints. — Spore print by Tom Hart, via flickr.

How to make a spore print

You will need:

White or black paper, foil or glass
A small, sharp knife or scalpel blade
A glass or bowl, depending on the size of the specimen
Artists lacquer spray (hair spray will also work)

Method:

Find a suitable mushroom and ensure that the fruit is mature. This technique works with gilled and pored mushrooms, bracket fungi and oyster-shaped mushrooms.
With a sharp knife, carefully remove the stipe as close to the cap as possible, without disturbing the gills around the stem.
Place the cap gills-down onto a piece of paper. For darker coloured spores, use white paper for a clearer print, and vice versa for white spores. If you wish to grow mushrooms from gathered spores, foil is often chosen for its sterility and glass is preferred for those wishing to observe spores under a microscope.
Cover the cap with a glass or bowl, depending on the size and let it sit for up to 12 hours. Covering the mushroom creates an air trap, allowing the spores to fall directly onto the material used for the print.
After 12 hours, remove the cover and allow to fully dry for a day or two. If you are planning to display your print, lightly (!) spritz with artists’ lacquer spray or hairspray to secure the spores.

To safely store spore prints, fold over and secure in a sealed bag at room temperature, or frozen if you plan to cultivate in the future.

Recommended Reading:

The Lives of Fungi

Filled with stunning photographs, this book invites the mycologically curious for an insider look into the hidden world of our planet’s diverse decomposers.

Collins Fungi Guide

A richly illustrated guide to the fungi of Britain and Ireland, this book ensures clear, detailed descriptions for accurate identification.

Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe, Volume 1

This third edition illustrates over 650 species in stunning watercolour and features drawings of spores and other useful microscopic features to aid identification.

Opticron Hand Lens 23mm 10x Magnification

An essential part of any naturalist’s field kit, a hand lens will allow you to observe the finer details.

Dissection Kit

Equipped with a range of tools, this dissection kit is suited to mycologists, botanists and entomologists alike, and features a scalpel and forceps for sample manipulation.

Mycology Field Beginners Kit

This comprehensive kit equips you with all the essentials to observe and document fungi in any weather, including a 10x magnification hand lens, weatherproof notebook and four waterproof identification guides to gilled fungi, non-gilled fungi, grassland fungi and common fungi.

Field Guides of the Year

Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned wildlife watcher or a curious beginner, these expertly crafted books are perfect for exploring the natural world. From identifying British wildflowers and lichens, to migratory bird calls and hoverflies, these field guides offer invaluable insights and stunning visuals. Here, we have selected a few of our favourite field guides of 2024, just in time for Christmas!

ID Handbook of European Birds (2-Volume Set)

This groundbreaking photographic reference book provides the most in-depth coverage of European birds available to date and features stunning high-resolution photographs of over 733 European species to aid identification – a must-have for any birder.

Britain's Hoverflies book cover showing a hoverfly from above perching on a daisy.

Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland

A beautifully illustrated photographic field guide focusing on the most readily identified hoverflies in Britain and Ireland. This fully updated third edition covers an additional thirteen species and contains remarkable photographs of hoverflies in multiple life stages to aid identification for beginners and seasoned naturalists alike.

Mammal Tracks of Europe

From passionate naturalist, photographer, illustrator and author David Wege, Mammal Tracks of Europe covers the tracks and trails of 72 European mammal species. It features detailed, life-sized drawings of tracks and animal portraits, with species names written in eight European languages to make an accessible field companion for trackers and naturalists across the continent.

Lichens of Ireland & Great Britain: A Visual Guide to Their Identification (2-Volume Set)

Brimming with detailed descriptions and lavish illustrations, this monumental work describes over 700 species and covers a wealth of information including biology, ecology, microscopy, and a short history and lichenology. As such, it is an invaluable reference guide for both beginners and experienced lichen enthusiasts.

An Identification guide to trees of Britain and Northwest Europe

An easy-to-use introduction to the identification of 89 tree species across Britain and North-West Europe. Expertly photographed, the trees featured in this guide are captured throughout the seasons and feature close-up details to effortlessly distinguish between species.

Brown Seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) of Britain and Ireland

The culmination of over 30 years of study, this book offers the first complete, up-to-date illustrated guide to nearly 200 species of British and Irish brown algae, including unique coverage of the lesser-known, more cryptic, or microscopic varieties. This exhaustive reference work contains over 300 compound plates of photographs and line drawings to complement its extensive coverage of distributions, morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, life histories and more, making it an indispensable research tool for phycologists and students.

British & Irish Wildflowers and Plants

Brimming with full colour photos and macro shots, this pocket-sized book allows for straightforward identification of the most common wildflowers and plants found in Great Britain and Ireland. It was designed with all capabilities in mind for a seamless identification process, with clearly illustrated drawings, species description and simple visual keys.

Bird Pellets

The first complete photographic guide to bird pellets, this book showcases a wide range of pellets produced by different species, including owls, hawks, waders and various garden birds. Pellets from each species are analysed in detail, and readers are informed of how to identify the remains of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and other birds. This must-have guide fills the gap in bird pellet knowledge and will prove to be invaluable to enthusiasts and field workers alike.

Identifying Migratory Birds by Sound in Britain and Europe

Learn to identify migratory birds with this extensive auditory guide. Often neglected in traditional birding guides, this unique work describes calls with precision and details the flight behaviour of over 450 species. It contains over 1,000 downloadable sounds and annotated sonograms, allowing readers to visualise, identify and memorise flight and contact calls of all European migratory species with ease.

Field Guide to the Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean

This completely revised second edition draws on the latest research to produce an accessible, easy-to-use guide to the orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean. Written by some of the foremost experts on the group, it is richly illustrated with over 2,000 photographs, demonstrating with great clarity the natural variability seen in over thirty genera, including natural hybrids, making it an essential resource for orchid enthusiasts and botanists alike.

Smithsonian Trees of North America

Ten years in the making, this insightful work provides readers with an indispensable illustrated source to hundreds of North American tree species. Visually stunning and insightful, John Kress shares over 3,000 images of identifying characteristics and includes hundreds of range maps for the group. It also covers the diversity, structure, form and beauty of trees, and provides an in-depth introduction to their biology, conservation and value. A monumental marriage of science and art, this important book will be an invaluable reference for future generations.

Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland

Building on the expertise of the first edition by award winning photographer, botanist and mycologist Roger Phillips, this seminal work is the perfect guide to help both beginners and experienced botanists learn about the wildflowers they see around them. Whether in urban green settings or the countryside, identification has never been easier with this updated and extended addition. It features over 1,000 photographed and illustrated wildflowers, detailed descriptions and extensive background information to create an essential photographic guide.

Field Guide to Birds of Greater Southern Africa

An essential reference guide to all resident, breeding and migrant species for anyone exploring or living in the wildlife-rich landscapes of Southern Africa. Part of the Helm Field Guide Series, this field guide describes over 1,000 regularly occurring species in the region, illustrated in 272 colour plates by three of the world’s leading bird illustrators.

Frustrating Flowers & Puzzling Plants

Coming to the rescue of exasperated novices and those troubled with unfamiliar and complex groups, this accessible guide identifies a new approach to identifying difficult plants. The author directs readers to parts of the plant in which to investigate more closely for accurate identification, using user-friendly keys and diagnostic illustrations. This novel approach was designed for those getting to grips with baffling or cryptic specimens.

Our Favourite Paperbacks of 2024

The last few years have seen a fantastic range of paperback releases, ranging from deep dives into the fungal kingdom, to enthralling explorations of lost British landscapes. In this blog post, we highlight some of our top picks that are sure to delight naturalists this festive season.

Birds, Beasts and Bedlam

Farmer-turned-rewilder Derek Gow recounts his rewilding adventures, the realities of the practice and documents his work to save species in his Devonian farm. From Beavers to Glow Worms, Gow houses an array of animals, with hopes of one day releasing them into the wild.

Windswept

After taking the plunge to move to the remote highlands of Scotland, Annie learns of the raw beauty and force of this incredible habitat. This memoir tells the story of Scotland’s valleys, the glaciers that carved the landscape, the rivers that traversed through the mountains and how the earliest people established life in this forceful environment.

What an Owl Knows

The natural history of owls is brought to life with a captivating blend of art and science in this charming work. Through revelatory new behavioural research, this touching book invites readers to take a glimpse into the lives of these creatures and discover how these birds have fascinated humankind for millennia. This book covers their evolutionary quirks, romantic relationships and parenting styles.

The Jewel Box

An enriching reflection on the magical creatures and colourful jewels that can be conjured from the darkness with moth traps. Inspired by the diversity within the trap on his London roof, Tim Blackburn considers how the insects found in a moth trap can tell you more about the workings of nature and how paying true attention to these species, their relations and their connections to the web of life, we can discover a greater truth.

Late Light

The winner of the 2024 Wainwright Prize for UK Nature Writing, this meditative book is a rich blend of natural history and memoir. It tells a story of migration, belonging and extinction through the close examination of four overlooked animals – eels, mussels, crickets and moths. Michael Malay tells the story of the natural world, alongside his own story, and delves into the lives of our animal neighbours.

Wild Air

From shearwaters on coastal mountains to Nightjars on lowland heath, Wild Air provides readers with an audible introduction to eight birds and their habitat, each unique. The book is beautifully written as though the author is describing the bird song to his almost-deaf grandfather.

Meetings with Moths

In search of Britain’s most beautiful moths, author Katty Baird explores Scotland to document and observe these striking, yet often overlooked, insects. From Green Longhorns to Pimpinel Pugs, Katty shares her passion and highlights the unique adaptations, ecological importance and extraordinary beauty of these creatures.

The Swimmer

Written primarily through his own words, this unconventional biography of wild swimming champion and environmentalist Roger Deakin draws from notebooks, diaries, letters and recordings, with the help of friends and family, to bring his voice to life in this work.

The Earth Transformed

The Times Best History Book 2023, The Earth Transformed, paints a cautious environmental history on a big canvas. This groundbreaking work focusses on the impact of the environment on human history, and indeed how human history has impacted the environment. An epic Sunday Times bestseller, this work provides an expansive chronological history, from the big bang to present day, to understand how changes in natural patterns have shaped history and human evolution.

Blue Machine

Dive deep into the inner workings of the Earth’s oceans with the winner of this year’s Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation. This timely book draws on years of experience at the forefront of marine science to illuminate the inner workings of the world’s oceans, and examines the people who live in it, rely on it and travel over it. This book elegantly explores this complex system and builds on knowledge that is crucial to our future.

Black Ops and Beaver Bombing

A lively and light-hearted peek into Britain’s mammals, as never seen before. From Pine Martens to Water Voles, this delightful book reveals the peculiarities of our wildlife and reveals the wonder of these creatures in the search of answers to the problems that beset them through scientific insight and comedic anecdotes.

The Orchid Outlaw

An inspiring reintroduction to Britain’s most endangered flora, The Orchid Outlaw is a splendid combination of memoir, natural history and call to action. Decimated by land use changes, climate change, inadequate protection and habitat loss, Britain’s 51 orchids are in desperate trouble. This book follows Ben Jacobs rescue journey which put him onto the wrong side of the law and saw his home turn into an orchid refuge.

Deep Water

Through a thrilling blend of history, science and nature writing, James Bradley dives into the darkest corners of the natural world. In this personal meditation, Bradley delves into the history, science and ecology of our oceans and exposes the urgent threats on this ecosystem in a thought-provoking reflection on the relationship between humankind and the natural world.

The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi

Authored by esteemed mycologist Keith Seifert, The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi explores the connection between the fungal kingdom and all life on earth, reveals how these organisms enrich our lives and investigates the environments in which they live. Venture into our homes, bodies, farms and forest to find out more about the rich world of fungi and learn about how these species have evolved and adapted over millions of years.

Hairy-Foot, Long-Tongue

An accessible introduction to bee biology and diversity providing readers with an affordable alternative to a more technical handbook. Featuring themed double-page spreads, this book explores the complexities of solitary bees, their lives and evolution in an easily digestible format. Sections detail species diversity, taxonomy, anatomy and responses to climate change and feature over 400 drawings and photographs, most of which were produced by the author.

Natural History Bestsellers

Here we explore a selection of timeless classics, both old and new, that celebrate the wonders of the natural world.

Feral

A passionate plea for restoring wildness to our landscapes from one of the world’s most celebrated radical thinkers. In this monumental work, Monbiot explores the ecological and psychological benefits of allowing nature to take its course, and draws on scientific research and riveting tales of personal experience to illustrate how rewilding can restore damaged ecosystems on land and sea, mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve human well-being.

Entangled Life

Winner of the 2021 Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation, this fascinating book takes readers on a mind-altering adventure to showcase the incredible detail, vibrant colour and sometimes strange features of fungi. Spectacular, yet often neglected, Merlin Sheldrake expertly reveals the inner workings of this mysterious third kingdom and explores our understanding of the group and how they have shaped our planet.

The Lost Rainforests of Britain

A celebration of the long-forgotten temperate rainforests that once thrived in Britain. Guy Shrubsole tells the captivating story of this fragmented habitat, its history, how it was lost and how we can protect the last patches of this unique habitat. From Welsh wizards to Celtic druids, this book takes the reader over Britain to show how we can restore these places to their former glory.

The Book of Wilding

In this highly anticipated work, Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell share some of the many lessons they have learned from their pioneering rewilding project at the Knepp Estate in Sussex. This inspiring book is packed with practical solutions for rewilding on a range of scales, from farms and estates to allotments and gardens and explores the importance of rewilding techniques for nature conservation.

Bringing Back the Beaver

Farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow documents his experience rewilding Beavers in England and Scotland. This inspirational and riotously funny firsthand account shares the story of Gow’s work since the 1990’s to import, quarantine and assist the reestablishment of this species in Britain. Bringing Back the Beaver emphasises the importance of these animals in the face of climate-induced flood and drought, and their critical role in creating rich wetland habitats for a broad spectrum of British wildlife.

Secrets of a Devon Wood

Artist and illustrator Jo Brown has captured hearts and minds across the globe with this awe-inspiring nature journal. In a bid to document the small wonders of the wood behind her home, Jo beautifully depicts fauna and flora with rich detail and documents facts about each species’ physiology and life history in an exact replica of her original Moleskin journal.

Rebirding

The winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation, Rebirding highlights a forward-thinking roadmap to reversing the decline of bird populations, and wildlife decline, in Britain. It describes solutions to the ever-increasing problems our landscapes face, with visions of a beautiful, profitable British countryside.

The Wildflower Key

A comprehensive guide to identifying wild plants in Britain and Ireland. This revised and expanded second edition contains detailed keys to more than 1,600 wild plants and is packed with a range of identification tips and innovative features to benefit both beginners and experienced botanists. The text covers a wide range of flowers, shrubs and trees in great clarity, making it an invaluable reference for year-round identification.

All the Birds of the World

This all-encompassing new guide lists all the birds of the world, allowing readers to browse and compare Earth’s amazing avian diversity between the covers of one volume. All the Birds of the World presents over 11,000 species, accompanied by 11,558 distribution maps and 20,865 illustrations detailing sexual dimorphism, morphs and distinctive subspecies.

All the Mammals of the World

An exhaustive reference book featuring over 6,000 mammal species, including wild, domestic, and extinct species. It includes an enormous number of exquisite illustrations, distribution maps, and measurements for each species. This book is designed for a broad audience, including wildlife enthusiasts and researchers, offering a visually stunning and informative overview of the world’s mammalian diversity.

Solitary Bees

Often overlooked, solitary bees have remarkably complex behaviour and ecology, as is revealed in this New Naturalist volume. Solitary Bees draws on a new wave of knowledge to provide readers with a wonderful insight into the complicated lives of solitary bees – from nesting behaviours to interspecies interactions, this book calls on scientific literature and the authors’ own observations to explore the lives of these insects further.

Silent Earth

Part love letter to the insect world, part elegy, and part rousing manifesto, Dave Goulson draws on the latest ground-breaking research and a lifetime of study to reveal the shocking decline of insect populations. This powerful book is a call to arms for change at every level and argues that it is not too late to love, respect and care for our insect friends.

Otherlands

Otherlands, the exceptional debut of Scottish palaeontologist Thomas Halliday, immerses readers in a series of past world landscapes. Journey to all seven continents to visit the birthplace of humanity, giant fungal forests and the highest waterfall the world has ever known and discover the fantastical planet earth over the last 550 million years. Though very much grounded in fact, each ecosystem is lyrically written with an eye for detail and drama, making this work a masterpiece of spellbinding science communication.

Other minds

Combining science and philosophy, Peter Godfrey-Smith dives into the extraordinary history of evolved intelligence and explores how early forms of communication gave rise to advanced nervous systems in humans and cephalopods. Interspersed with captivating firsthand accounts, Other Minds sheds a new light on consciousness and the convergent evolution of intelligence in a fascinating blend of natural history, philosophy and evocative writing.

Wilding

Wilding chronicles the transformation of a struggling Sussex farm into a thriving 3,500-acre ecosystem through rewilding. By introducing free-roaming grazing animals like Exmoor Ponies, Longhorn Cattle, and Tamworth Pigs, the Burrell’s have allowed nature to take over the land with extraordinary results. This book is a hopeful and inspiring tale of ecological restoration and reveals the ways in which we can regain a wilder, richer country.

Stocking Fillers

From bite-sized reads to nature-inspired games, we’ve curated a selection of delightful stocking fillers for this festive season. Whether you’re shopping for an avid birder or a wildlife enthusiast, we have something for everyone to enjoy.

Little Books of Nature Collection

A stunning collection of richly illustrated mini reference guides covering an array of nature topics. This collection features eight expertly-written volumes, including weather, dinosaurs, whales, fungi, trees and beetles. Each pocket-sized book contains over 100 photographs and illustrations and is brimming with surprising facts and unique insights about the chosen topic. Beautifully designed with a foil stamped cloth cover, these little books are a highly collectible series, and the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in the natural world.

Collins Gem Guides Collection

This excellent selection of mini-pocket guides provide an accessible introduction for a range of topics, including mushrooms, butterflies, insects and garden birds. Each volume is packed with authoritative text and detailed images to aid in identification, making it the ideal companion for those wanting to learn more about the natural world. Digestible and portable, the Gem Guides collection is an ideal starting point for children and nature enthusiasts alike.

Bloomsbury Concise Guides Collection

Suitable for both beginners and seasoned naturalists, these popular guidebooks allow users to quickly identify a variety of different species, including pond wildlife, insects and herbs. This collection is particularly affordable, and is supplemented with stunning full-colour artworks, making these pocket guidebooks the ultimate gift for those that are nature-inclined.

#265127 Robin Mug - extended range available

Ornithology Mug Collection

High quality porcelain decorated with delightful drawings from Dutch artist and biologist Elwin Van der Kolk. Each mug is decorated with adult and juvenile birds, such as Robins, Blue Tits and Avocets. Shipped in a gift box, this range makes a lovely present to enrich a nature lover’s morning cuppa.

Playing Cards

A wonderful reference to the sheer variety of organisms that exist in our natural world, these delightful playing cards from Heritage Playing Card Company are a perfect stocking filler. Each pack is illustrated in colour to showcase the diversity of flora and fauna in each group, with topics ranging from mushrooms to insects and spiders.

Gift in a Tin Collection

The Gift in a Tin range makes a wonderful stocking filler and offers creative fun for all ages. The collection includes a selection of self-assembly models such as Woolly Mammoth, Sabre Tooth Tiger and British Wildflowers. These natural history themed items are designed to be self-assembled to create a charming model, perfect for display.

#211252 Bug Bingo - different varieties available in the full range

Nature Bingo Collection

A fun and engaging take on the classic game, the Bingo collection by Laurence King contains some uniquely themed varieties including Ocean Bingo, Tree Bingo and Monkey Bingo. Suitable for up to eight players, each box contains fabulously illustrated double-sided bingo boards, themed bingo chips, brightly coloured counters and a large bingo board. Suitable for people of all ages, this unique game is ideal for the festive season.

Soft Toys

A lovely collection of soft toys, depicting a range of British wildlife including Puffins, Red Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats and Brown Long-eared Bats. These soft toys are made from thick, double-lined fabric and the bats come with fully bendable wings. Each toy comes with an information tag featuring educational facts about the animal, its habitat and diet, making it the perfect gift for children who are learning about nature.

Woolly Mammoth in a Tin - different varieties available in the full range

3D Wooden Animal Models Collection

Build your own menagerie with these easy to assemble wood model kits. Suitable for both adults and children, these models will make an exciting addition to anyone’s bookshelf and make a unique displayable art piece. Each kit contains 42 FSC wooden pieces, step-by-step instructions and ideas for decoration. There are a number of different animal models to choose from in this collection, ranging from rays and sharks to owls and spiders.

Books of the Year

2024 has seen a fantastic range of field guide, academic and nature writing releases, ranging from fascinating visual guides to British lichen, to deep dives into the peculiarities of the fungal kingdom. In this blog post, we highlight some of our favourite releases of 2024 that are sure to delight naturalists this festive season.

The Starling: A Biography

Marking the sixth volume in Stephen Moss’s Bird Biography series, The Starling delves into the fascinating life of one of our most talented and surprising birds. Starlings are renowned for their iridescent plumage, impressive vocal abilities and mesmerising murmurations, and this captivating tale explores how they’ve shaped our world, inspired art and music through the decades, influenced the agricultural industry and more.

Ponds, Pools and Puddles

A recent addition to the New Naturalist Series, this long-awaited title has been in the works since the 1950’s. This detailed account synthesizes a wealth of information on these valuable freshwater habitats, covering what they are, how they differ from rivers and lakes, their types, origins, abundance and distribution. This book has made an invaluable contribution to raising awareness of these overlooked freshwater habitats and concludes with a chapter on conservation and pond management.

Hedges

Part of the British Wildlife Collection, Hedges introduces readers to the humble hedgerow, and celebrates the ecology, biology and cultural history of these rich habitats in Britain. In this book, Robert Wolton collates decades of research to explore the wider values of hedges and provides a comprehensive commentary on our relationship with these habitats.

ID Handbook of European Birds (2-Volume Set)

Oaklore

Join author Jules Acton on a joyful and creative exploration of one of Britain’s most important trees and their incredibly diverse history. This fascinating book is a treasure trove of botanical information, insights and anecdotes into the historical, mythological and ecological significance of oaks.

Close encounters of a fungal kind cover.

Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind

Acclaimed scientist and author Richard Fortey reflects on the unique and otherworldly charm of the mysterious third kingdom. As told through the author’s own adventures to find the most extraordinary, strange and delicious fungi, this book explores the vast fungal kingdom with warmth and enthusiasm.

British and Irish Wildflowers and Plants

Brimming with full colour photos and macro shots, this pocket-sized book allows for straightforward identification of the most common wildflowers and plants found in Great Britain. It was designed with all capabilities in mind for a seamless identification process, with clearly illustrated drawings, species description and simple visual keys.

Blue Machine

Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland

A beautifully illustrated photographic field guide focusing on the most readily identified hoverflies in Great Britain. This fully updated third edition covers an additional thirteen species and contains remarkable photographs of hoverflies in multiple life stages to aid identification for beginners and seasoned naturalists alike.

The Accidental Garden

A lyrical reflection of the natural world by Richard Mabey, inviting readers to reconsider the ‘disorder’ of nature. Rooted in the daily life of his own garden, Mabey shares a story where nature becomes its own gardener, reorganising itself against a background of disorder.

The Osprey

This Poyser monograph is a captivating dedication to the Osprey featuring more than 150 full-colour photographs. It looks at the distribution, foraging ecology, migration, breeding behaviour and population dynamics of the species and covers the conservation efforts that have been undertaken to successfully reintroduce Osprey in Britain.

Lichens of Ireland & Great Britain: A Visual Guide to Their Identification (2-Volume Set)

Brimming with detailed descriptions and lavish illustrations, this monumental work describes over 700 species and covers a wealth of information including: biology, ecology, microscopy, and a short history and lichenology. This book is an invaluable reference guide for both beginners and experienced lichen enthusiasts.