'A true masterpiece.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT 'Simply beautiful.' STEPHEN MOSS 'Quietly courageous.' PATRICK BARKHAM 'Lyrical, wholehearted and wise.' LEE SCHOFIELD 'A knockout. I loved it.' MELISSA HARRISON 'Honest, raw and moving.' SOPHIE PAVELLE 'An extraordinary book by an extraordinary author.' CHRIS JONES 'A book of wit, wonder and of wisdom.' NICK ACHESON 'Beautiful.' NICOLA CHESTER - A visit to the rapid where she lost a cherished friend unexpectedly reignites Amy-Jane Beer’s love of rivers setting her on a journey of natural, cultural and emotional discovery. On New Year’s Day 2012, Amy-Jane Beer’s beloved friend Kate set out with a group of others to kayak the River Rawthey in Cumbria. Kate never came home, and her death left her devoted family and friends bereft and unmoored. Returning to visit the Rawthey years later, Amy realises how much she misses the connection to the natural world she always felt when on or close to rivers, and so begins a new phase of exploration. The Flow is a book about water, and, like water, it meanders, cascades and percolates through many lives, landscapes and stories. From West Country torrents to Levels and Fens, rocky Welsh canyons, the salmon highways of Scotland and the chalk rivers of the Yorkshire Wolds, Amy-Jane follows springs, streams and rivers to explore tributary themes of wildness and wonder, loss and healing, mythology and history, cyclicity and transformation. Threading together places and voices from across Britain, The Flow is a profound, immersive exploration of our personal and ecological place in nature.

Discover the life of trees through science, folklore, history and art – every day of the year. Immerse yourself in the world of trees with A Tree A Day – packed with tree facts and richly illustrated throughout with photographs and art. Nature writer Amy-Jane Beer takes us on a tour around the world’s woodlands to tell the stories of a variety of trees, from mysterious ginkos to historical oaks. Anyone who has sat in the dappled shade of a mighty oak or wandered in the blaze of a deciduous woodland in autumn cannot fail to appreciate the wonder of our trees and forests. Each of the 366 entries in this beautiful book – one for every day of the year – reveals some of the fascinating science, natural history or folklore of our great and gracious green neighbours, the history made beneath their branches, or the creativity they inspire. From the awesome Californian redwoods, titans of the tree world, to tiny but exquisite bonsai, and from the fantastically irritable sentinel willow of Harry Potter fame to the Japanese springtime tradition of hanami (blossom viewing) – this captivating collection showcases remarkable individuals and explores some of the ways trees support life on Earth as we know it. Celebrating one of the longest-living lifeforms on earth, A Tree A Day is forest bathing in book form and a wonder for nature lovers and tree enthusiasts alike.

Following the same format as the previous edition, this revised second edition of How to Find and Identify Mammals, now printed in A4 format, offers everyone an opportunity to acquire a solid grounding in mammal identification skills. It includes the same excellent illustrations of mammals, their tracks and signs, while incorporating survey methods using the latest techniques and technologies. Join us in the challenge of observing, recording and studying mammals with this invaluable field guide.

RSPB Spotlight: Sparrows is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist. Sparrows are often considered familiar to the point of invisibility, but the recent steep decline in numbers of both native British species is a reminder that these unassuming chatterboxes deserve a little more attention. Of all the true sparrow species found worldwide, only two occur in the British Isles. Globally, the story of the House Sparrow is one of dramatic expansion: from humble origins in the Middle East where they spread, along with agriculture, to become the most widely distributed bird on the planet. The smaller, more active Tree Sparrow has also spread extensively, following the domestication of rice rather than wheat, and both species have been heavily persecuted in recent years. In Spotlight Sparrows, Amy-Jane Beer examines the causes behind the decline of these familiar species, and explores their biology and life cycle, social behaviour, and the significant role that sparrows play in human culture, from Shakespeare and Edith Piaf to Captain Jack Sparrow. The Spotlight series introduces readers to the lives and behaviour of our favourite animals with eye-catching colour photography and informative expert text.

A visit to the rapid where she lost a cherished friend unexpectedly reignites Amy-Jane Beer's love of rivers setting her on a journey of natural, cultural and emotional discovery. On New Year's Day 2012, Amy-Jane Beer's beloved friend Kate set out with a group of others to kayak the River Rawthey in Cumbria. Kate never came home, and her death left her devoted family and friends bereft and unmoored. Returning to visit the Rawthey years later, Amy realises how much she misses the connection to the natural world she always felt when on or close to rivers, and so begins a new phase of exploration. The Flow is a book about water, and, like water, it meanders, cascades and percolates through many lives, landscapes and stories. From West Country torrents to Levels and Fens, rocky Welsh canyons, the salmon highways of Scotland and the chalk rivers of the Yorkshire Wolds, Amy-Jane follows springs, streams and rivers to explore tributary themes of wildness and wonder, loss and healing, mythology and history, cyclicity and transformation. Threading together places and voices from across Britain, The Flow is a profound, immersive exploration of our personal and ecological place in nature.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and power of nature with a different tree for every day of the year. Spend every day of the year with one of the world's most fascinating trees. In A Tree a Day seasoned nature writer and journalist Amy-Jane Beer shares 365 majestic and memorable trees from around the world. From the strength of Alder trees to the biology behind the autumn colors of New England; from folkloric medicines in tree sap to Shakespeare's Birnam Wood; from the giant sequoias of California to Klimt's Birch trees--A Tree a Day explores the botany, poetry, folklore, rich history, and natural beauty of trees. Dip in and out or spend each day exploring a new natural wonder. With award-winning photography, works of art, and detailed illustrations on every page, A Tree a Day illuminates the timeless splendor and power of the world's trees. GORGEOUS ILLUSTRATIONS: Each tree is illustrated with a unique work of art--from classical painting to breathtaking photographs. MEDITATIVE START TO EACH DAY: A Tree a Day is a beautiful reminder to pause each day and appreciate the natural world--no matter where you are. Each of the 365 entries offers a seasonal quote, fact, or story about trees to inspire gratitude and wonder. EVERGREEN: Nature lovers will return to this book day after day, year after year--it makes for the perfect bite-sized, bedside reading. AUTHOR EXPERTISE: In addition to being a nature writer for The Guardian, Amy Jane-Beer has written more than 30 books about science and natural history. Perfect for: Tree and Nature Enthusiasts; Gardeners; Hikers, Backpackers, and Campers; Environmentalist; Fans of A Cloud a Day

Discover the best places to spot 300 of the world's most exciting and unusual creatures, from the soaring Andean condor and prowling Bengal tiger, to singing humpback whales and migrating wildebeest. For many people, one of the most rewarding experiences of travel is seeing creatures you wouldn't encounter back home. Whether you set out to see them on safari or spot them by sheer luck, there's a thrill and a beauty in watching a wild animal in its natural habitat. That's why we created Lonely Planet's A-Z of Wildlife Watching. It's packed with stunning photos, details of each creature's habits and characteristics, and tips on how to increase the chances of an encounter. Inside, you'll find all the most iconic animals like lions, tigers, elephants and sharks, but we've gone even further than these headline acts to showcase the mind-blowing diversity of the natural world, with other animals including: snow leopards, mountain goats, antelopes, fennec foxes, giant albatrosses, hog-nosed bats, giant clams, corals, whales, wobbegongs, birdwing butterflies and Hercules beetles. Created in consultation with biologist and writer Amy-Jane Beer, and with a foreword by nature photographer Mark Carwardine.

This directory of 150 of the most intriguing marine species is illustrated by color artworks, revealing the complex relationships and systems at work in marine habitats. Read about the reefs that teem with life, the communities that exist at the edge of the continental shelf, and the formidable creatures that hunt in remote waters or lurk within the darkest depths of the ocean.

Did you know that fish can use tools, and that wombat poo is cubic? This animal-tastic, fact-packed guide to the world of nature contains everything the budding naturalist needs to know. Meet nature's most fearsome predators, explore the wonders of the ocean, and marvel at the ability of animals to survive in the harshest environments. If you want to get out into the wild yourself, there's cool practical advice for tracking animals through the woods, using binoculars to spot our feathered friends and making a bird feeder in your back yard. Learn about why we should all care about endangered species, who would win in a fight between a shark and a honey badger, and how to make flowers bloom in the most unlikely places. Packed with quirky illustrations and absorbing information, this book is the perfect gift for the nature obsessive in your life.