Cottongrass Summer

Roy Dennis is one of the UK's most prominent field naturalists. His approach to wildlife and conservation stems from years of experience working in the field, from climbing trees to ring osprey chicks to handling lynx kittens in Norway - and wanting to smuggle them back to Scotland. His Wildlife Foundation of 25 years' standing is internationally recognised for its work in conservation and wildlife protection.

THE HIGHLAND BOOK PRIZE 2020, LONGLISTED; "I can't think of a more important book that's been written about British wildlife in the past 20 years ... Roy Dennis [is] the UK's pre-eminent conservationist of the past half century ... he writes with such conviction, clarity, insight, depth and purpose. He understands better than anyone how times have changed ... In just a sentence or two, he cuts to the quick ... If you read any book about the environment this year, read this." James Fair, naturalist, in Countryfile's Best Nature Books of 2020; "In an exhilarating roundelay of profoundly questioning essays, Roy Dennis has revealed a lifetime in nature conservation, while also delivering a sparkling vision for an ecologically sustainable Highlands, the country and the planet. This little book is a testament to a rare and redeeming curiosity; we must all learn from the deep wisdom of experience." Sir John Lister-Kaye OBE; "This is a cracking book full of beautifully descriptive prose and thought-provoking sentiments by a man who, more than anyone else, has been there, done that and got the 'T'-shirt." Iolo Williams; "Roy is not just a brilliant conservationist but a superb naturalist too ... These beautiful essays are also positive and pragmatic about the future ... absolutely joyous." Chris Packham; "Reminds me strongly of Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, which is a classic of the ecological literature, and I can think of no better comparison to give you an idea of its content and of this book's quality and worth ... It is a book of ideas; ideas about how the future should be, but rooted in the present and with knowledge of the past." Mark Avery, Nature Book of the Year 2020; "The wonderful, insightful and eclectic musings from a lifetime watching wildlife, by one of Britain's greatest conservationists." Mike Dilger; "Fine and very enjoyable ... packed with a wisdom that only comes from lifelong experience." Stephen Moss, Best nature books of 2020; A pleasure to read … This book should become a classic.” John Low, Scottish Birds

• Introduction; Cottongrass; All in a name; The optimism of spring; Capercaillies and crofters’ cows; The beauty of birdsong; Too many badgers; Rewilding – ecological restoration; Cheaper food and poorer farming; The tragedy of rare flowers; Nature’s networks; Bearded vulture and a lack of carrion; Storks and people; Green J is back again; Selective land management in Abernethy Forest; The decline of swifts and martins; Caring for our planet – a minister’s responsibilities; The bonnie heather hills of Scotland; The dangers of downpours; Traditional cattle and biodiversity; Lynx kittens in my pockets; Insect Armageddon; A good day with red squirrels; Sea eagles on Sunday; The invader from the Orient; Quiet pride over red kites; Thoughts on wild red grouse; Big fish; Rabbits – here today, gone tomorrow; Let’s have a sacred mountain; Nature and the problems of tidiness; Bringing back the beaver; The ecology of changing goose numbers; Looking at a footprint and thinking, ‘Bear!'; Chance and the Wilson’s warbler; The salmon and the bear; Our place on the planet; Right trees, wrong places; Orcas and seals; Golden eagles – a new future?; Days in a real forest; The deaf birder’s bird; Giant pandas and thoughts of home; Bounty from the seas; Genes and wildlife management; The true worth of nature; New Year birding; White stoat, green grass; Always remember the bigger picture; The assassin of the night; Is the common mole a soil canary?; Why mentors matter; Ecological resilience for our grandchildren’s grandchildren; Author’s note