British Natural History Collection – serie

Describedby some as 'the Pine Marten Bible', the first edition of this acclaimed bookhas been extensively revised with the latest findings and developments in therecovery of the species in Britain and Ireland. Johnny Birks deliverscomprehensive, up-to-date information on pine martens in an entertaininglylight-hearted style. Via a quirky blend of humour and science we are ledthrough the species' 'Horrendous History' in Britain and Ireland towards acautiously optimistic concluding chapter on 'Pine martens, forestry and climatebreakdown'. We learn about the pine marten's ten close relatives within the'Martes Complex' (including the troublesome stone marten that destroys carcomponents in Continental Europe); we delve into the species' ecology andbehaviour - with details presented clearly in boxed sections, charts and tables- and gain insights into its interactions with humans and other animals,including its emerging role in grey squirrel control. Drawing upon threedecades of involvement with this charming mammal in Britain and Ireland, aswell as his many international contacts, Johnny Birks provides personalinsights into the challenges of studying and conserving pine martens acrosstheir Eurasian range: from designing den boxes to satisfy the exactingrequirements of breeding females, through the technicolour world of scatsurveys and the secrets they reveal, to the hope provided by pine martenrecovery supported by translocations and reintroductions. The book is enrichedby Antony Griffiths' drawings and cheeky cartoons and by Terry Whittaker'sremarkable photographs.

This amazingly informative book has now been redesigned and republished as the first volume in The British Natural History Collection. Sadly Chris Mead died in 2003 so the original text has been brought right up to date by his former colleague and friend Mike Toms.Now includes colour photographs. A feature of the book is the beautiful and accurate line drawings and cartoons by renowned wildlife artist Guy Troughton. This special edition also features an eight-page gallery of stunning colour images by bird photographer Mark Hancox including his photograph of a Short-eared Owl, winner of the Bird-Guides Photo of the Year 2010 competition.Owls reveals all sorts of curious and unexpected facts about the owls found in Britain, and also some oddities about those species found elsewhere. The book gives readers helpful advice on how to observe and count their local owls and how to assist in protecting them. It even has a section on the design and construction of nest-boxes and where best to position them.

This entirely new book takes us deep into the world of moles. In the lonely darkness of their tunnels hunger forces moles on a cycle of digging, patrolling and eating, broken in spring as males drive themselves to exhaustion on mating forays, and females raise babies in warm nests. When their time comes young moles make dangerous journeys above ground-just the start of the perils that lie ahead. Sadly, we humans add to their woes, holding moles' representatives in literature in far more affection than we do the real animal.The book is beautifully illustrated throughout by Belinda Atkinson.

This is an entirely new revision, expanded and updated by Dr Morris to take account of recent research and controversial issues (including evidence that probably the greatest threat to hedgehogs comes from the rapidly expanding badger numbers - supported by research results published as recently as April).The book is illustrated throughout with cartoon and fine line drawings by renowned wildlife artist Guy Troughton. This special edition also features a gallery of the author's photographs. Pat Morris is this country's leading hedgehog expert. Having studied them for over forty years, he has probably published more scientific papers on the European hedgehog than anyone. He is President of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which recently celebrated its 30th year, and is an establishedwriter and broadcaster, often appearing on television and radio wildlife programmes.

The text is complimented by new fine digital drawings and cartoons by Guy Troughton. This edition also features a gallery of extraordinary images by renowned wildlife photographer Frank Greenaway.