Have you ever wondered where the best places to go are to see leaping salmon, rutting deer, diving gannets, breaching whales or bluebell woods in full bloom?
The British Isles are home to some of the richest and most varied wildlife to be found in Europe, and knowing when and where to go is the key to seeing Britain’s natural beauty at its very best.
Divided into 50 regions, each accompanied by a detailed map, Where to See Wildlife in Britain and Ireland is packed with essential information on Britain and Ireland’s most exciting conservation sites, from nature reserves in Somerset renowned for their otters, to remote bird sanctuaries in the Highlands of Scotland, home to the glorious golden eagle. Featuring over 800 sites, including National and Local Nature Reserves, National Parks, RSPB Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this highly informative book provides practical advice on the best time to go, how to get there, and what to see, along with suggestions for other places to visit in each area. Plants and animals associated with each site are highlighted throughout, and special features provide insight into the range of habitats you will encounter along the way, from marshes and wetlands to lakes and mountains.
With over 500 stunning colour photographs and clear Collins road mapping, Where to See Wildlife in Britain and Ireland allows nature-lovers to plan anything from a fun day out for the family to a two–week tour of Britain’s wildlife treasures. So whether you want to see glow-worms glow in Devon, hares box in Hertfordshire, or sea eagles soar over Skye, this book will get you to the right place at the right time, helping to answer many of your questions along the way.
Reviews
Praise for Christopher Somerville’s previous books:
Robert Macfarlane, Sunday Times Book Review
‘The book is a success of organisation … an exemplary piece of book craft … The best guidebooks … inspire adventure, improvisation and the learning that comes from discovery. Somerville's book is in that valuable tradition.’
Sunday Telegraph
‘Christopher Somerville's magnificent gazetteer to Britain and Ireland's wild places could not be more timely’
Colin Tudge, Financial Times
‘At once informative and poetic … those [places] I know of are gems. […] I've got a lot of books on wildlife and this is already among the select.’
National Trust Magazine
‘Follow in Somerville's footsteps – we promise it'll be the perfect antidote to a week in the office.’
About the author
Christopher Somerville has spent a lifetime in search and celebration of wild places among the fields and woods, back hills, shores and upland wildernesses of Britain and Ireland.
He is the author of over thirty books, including the bestselling Coast and Coast: The Journey Continues, which accompanied the celebrated BBC2 series. He writes on walking and the outdoors for the Daily Telegraph, The Times, the Guardian and many other publications.
