Bird Therapy

Joe Harkness is a naturalist and writer from Norfolk. He has written features for many publications, including The Guardian, iNews, BBC Wildlife, Birdwatching and Birdwatch. He has also shared his passion for nature on TV shows and radio such as BBC Winterwatch and BBC Radio 4. His first book, Bird Therapy, was longlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing. Joe works in education and currently oversees a sixth form for young people with complex needs.

‘Fabulously direct and truthful, filled with energy but devoid of self-pity … I was impressed and enchanted. Highly recommended.’

• Foreword to the original edition by Chris PackhamPrologue to the new edition by Joe HarknessChapter One – A breakdown, a buzzard and the BroadsChapter Two – A survey, a definition and the five ways to well-birdingChapter Three – A dunnock, a Pallas's Warbler and a multitude of patternsChapter Four – A pipit, a woodlark and an evening concertoChapter Five – A bittern, the binocular code and the art of finding raritiesChapter Six – An egret, a kingfisher and remembering to feed the birdsChapter Seven – A local patch, two diving ducks and a mountain blackbirdChapter Eight – A sea-duck flotilla, flock unity and the march of the fieldfareChapter Nine – Hirundine flocks, spring passage and the warbler diariesChapter Ten – The goldcrest crescendo, wind-flattened reeds and sixty pied flycatchersChapter Eleven – Running with nature, sea-smoothed shingle and a miracle cureChapter Twelve – Bramble patches, a garden warbler and learning through experienceChapter Thirteen – An evolving hobby, a return to the heath and going to back to basicsEpilogue – Nest building, gradual realisations and the noise behind the binocularsNotesBird-therapy prompts and birdwatching adviceAuthor acknowledgementsIndex