A Sky Full Of Birds reviewed by the Daily Mail

This review of the paperback edition of A Sky Full Of Birds appeared in the Daily Mail last Friday. I'm really delighted that it's continuing to get a good reception.

Why...

...are Four-spotted Chasers called that? They've got eight spots.

Little Owls and RS Thomas

Little Owls are always a delight to see, not only because of their air of comical irritation (this one was glaring at me for intruding upon his evening's beetle-hunting), but because they always call to mind this RS Thomas poem. I've always assumed that the "small owl" he mentions is a Little Owl, anyway – no reason why it shouldn't be in North Wales.

They are, of course, an introduced species, having been released in the UK during the 19th century (they were also sometimes kept as pest controllers for the home). They've escaped the opprobrium that surrounds most introduced species (think Grey Squirrel), because they seem to fill a niche that wasn't really occupied by any British bird. And there's also a theory that they were native to these islands, before the last Ice Age.

Bradgate Park Wildlife Weekend

Just another quick reminder that I'll be at this event tomorrow (June 17th). I'll be selling copies of A Sky Full Of Birds, but I'd also love to talk to anyone about birds generally or Bird Watching Magazine, so come and say hello.

A Sky Full Of Birds reviewed at Nudge

This review of A Sky Full Of Birds has appeared at Nudge – thanks very much to Paul Cheney for his kind appreciation of the book.

Reading in Oxford tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 13th)

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, June 13th, I'll be at Waterstones in Oxford talking about A Sky Full Of Birds and reading from the book. There are full details, including of how to book tickets, here.

If you can't make it, but would like to buy a copy of A Sky Full Of Birds (I have both hardback and paperback copies available), contact me through the email link on this site, or just leave a comment below.

A Sky Full Of Birds at Bradgate Park Wildlife Weekend

I'm going to be at this event a week on Saturday (June 17th), back on my old patch close to Leicester. As you can see there are all sorts of activities going on, and Bradgate Park is just a great place to be on a summer Saturday (or at any time, for that matter). I'll be selling copies of A Sky Full Of Birds, but I'd also love to talk to anyone about birds generally or Bird Watching Magazine, so come and say hello.

A Sky Full Of Birds at Waterstones, Oxford

Next Tuesday, June 13th, I'll be at Waterstones in Oxford talking about A Sky Full Of Birds and reading from the book. There are full details, including of how to book tickets, here.

I'll also be talking about the Oxford Swift City Project, which aims to help these summer visitors fight back against recent declines. I'm lucky in that Swifts are fairly plentiful where I live (although they've been absent this week, presumably avoiding the bad weather), so it will be a pleasure to share the evening with them.

If you can't make it, but would like to buy a copy of A Sky Full Of Birds (I have both hardback and paperback copies available), contact me through the email link on this site, or just leave a comment below.