HIDDEN NATURE: Uncovering the UK's Wildlife

When the author was assured by a taxi driver that "there was no wildlife in Britain", she took up the challenge and this charming and informative book is the result. Isla Hodgson sweeps the reader along with her enthusiasm for the rich diversity of the natural world, describing not only moments of high excitement but also the humdrum waiting in the cold and wet. Hodgson shows us that wildlife can be found in our back garden and the local park, and that we can make exciting discoveries on a shoestring budget. Coastal, freshwater, inland and urban habitats are her four categories, and gorgeous photography accompanies them all. The stacks and arches of our varied coastline are home to some of the largest colonies of seabirds in Europe, while inter-tidal rock pools harbour rubbery beadlet anemones and nippy little hermit crabs. The Ythan estuary north of Aberdeen has an enormous seal colony, and a feature page gives the reader some facts about "Seals and where to find them", while an inset box on Seal Etiquette tells you what to do if you find an injured seal. Freshwater habitats such as the Montrose Basin are home to herons, kingfishers, and warblers, and it is here that after 24 years of effort Isla finally sees brown hares in their famous "boxing" ritual. Lochs are natural habitats for swallows and martins, while an osprey is spotted as far south as Rutland Water. The Scottish Highlands welcome not only grouse and stags but also birds ranging from cuckoos to hen harriers, while urban spaces have foxes in gardens and lichens in graveyards and millipedes in allotments. 192pp, softback, numerous colour illustrations.