Human, Nature
A Naturalist's Thoughts on Wildlife and Wild Places
Published on 29. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
220 pages
978-1-78427-541-9 (ISBN)
Description
What does it mean to be a part of-rather than apart from-nature? This book is about how we interact with wildlife and the ways in which this can make our lives richer and more fulfilling. But it also explores the conflicts and contradictions inevitable in a world that is now so completely dominated by our own species.
Interest in wildlife and wild places, and their profound effects on human wellbeing, have increased sharply as we face up to the ongoing biodiversity extinction crisis and reassess our priorities following a global pandemic. Ian Carter, lifelong naturalist and a former bird specialist at Natural England, sets out to uncover the intricacies of the relationship between humans and nature. In a direct, down-to-earth style he explains some of the key practical, ethical and philosophical problems we must navigate as we seek to reconnect with nature.
This wide-ranging and infectiously personal account does not shy away from controversial subjects-such as how we handle invasive species, reintroductions, culling or dog ownership-and reveals in stark terms that properly addressing our connection to the natural world is an imperative, not a luxury.
Short, pithy chapters make this book ideal for dipping into. Meanwhile, it builds into a compelling whole as the story moves from considering the wildlife close to home through to conflicts and, finally, the joy and sense of escape that can be had in the wildest corners of our landscapes, where there is still so much to discover.
Interest in wildlife and wild places, and their profound effects on human wellbeing, have increased sharply as we face up to the ongoing biodiversity extinction crisis and reassess our priorities following a global pandemic. Ian Carter, lifelong naturalist and a former bird specialist at Natural England, sets out to uncover the intricacies of the relationship between humans and nature. In a direct, down-to-earth style he explains some of the key practical, ethical and philosophical problems we must navigate as we seek to reconnect with nature.
This wide-ranging and infectiously personal account does not shy away from controversial subjects-such as how we handle invasive species, reintroductions, culling or dog ownership-and reveals in stark terms that properly addressing our connection to the natural world is an imperative, not a luxury.
Short, pithy chapters make this book ideal for dipping into. Meanwhile, it builds into a compelling whole as the story moves from considering the wildlife close to home through to conflicts and, finally, the joy and sense of escape that can be had in the wildest corners of our landscapes, where there is still so much to discover.
Reviews / Votes
A delightful read... Not only are the interactions with nature well told and engaging, the deeper thoughts they trigger have been honed by a lifetime's experience. -- Dr. Mark Avery lan is probably better known for his books on Red Kites, but here he tells the tale of his25 years working for the government agencies for nature [and] living in a house next to a dyke on the fens... The book really comes alive at the end, with lan's move to Devon and his trips to Western Scotland, and I eagerly await his new book on Hen Harriers with Dan Powell. * Bird Watching's August Book of the Month * Touches upon some of the most important issues facing us all that need resolving before we assign nature to history and ourselves to oblivion! I bet once you pick this book up you will be tempted to put things on hold while you read the lot in one sitting! -- Bo Beolens * Fatbirder * If you want a slightly different perspective on our complex and complicated relationship with the natural world then this is as good a place to start as any. -- Paul Cheney * Halfman, Halfbook * ... an eminently readable, thoughtful, honest and fascinating contribution to modern birding literature, which I can thoroughly and unreservedly recommend. -- Mike Everett * British Birds * A thoughtful and timely look at contemporary relationships between people and nature. -- James Robertson * British Wildlife * It's the perfect book for dipping into and also for sitting engrossed for a couple of hours. -- Alan Williams * https://tontowilliams.com/ * A thought-provoking book...full of short discussions emanating from Ian's vast knowledge of birds gained through his many years as an ornithologist. -- Alan Stewart * Wildlife Detective blog * This is an interesting and balanced take on the current state of play in the UK, wildlife-wise, from an author who knows it as well as anyone else...a particularly engaging and fascinating read. -- Josh Jones * Bird Guides *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Exeter
United Kingdom
Illustrations
4 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 178 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
239 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78427-541-9 (9781784275419)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ian Carter took early retirement after twenty-five years as an ornithologist with Natural England. He was closely involved with the Red Kite reintroduction programme and wider work on the conservation of birds of prey, bird reintroductions and wildlife management. The cultural and philosophical aspects of nature conservation have always fascinated him, especially their influence on our attitudes towards the natural world. He has written articles for wildlife magazines including British Birds, British Wildlife and Birdwatch, and has co-authored papers in scientific journals. He wrote The Red Kite (Arlequin Press 2007) and, with Dan Powell, The Red Kite's Year (Pelagic Publishing 2019), and has been on the Editorial Board of the journal British Birds for over twenty years. He keeps a wildlife diary and has written something in it (however dull) every day for over thirty-five years.
Content
Acknowledgements
Introduction
CLOSE TO HOME
The island effect
The late-summer lull
Man's best friend?
A rat's life
Local patch wildlife
Familiar species
All-time favourite
HUMAN NATURE
Number conundrum
Mario or mud pies?
Splitting headaches
The naming game
Missing from the list
A love of birds?
Unwelcome wildlife
The sound of silence
Health-enhancing House Martins
Adopt a species
Wanted: dead or alive
The state of nature
Urban wildlife
CONFLICTS
Recent arrivals
Rescuing wildlife
The culture of killing
A tale of two raptors
Meddling with wildlife
Moving things around
WILD PLACES
The pursuit of wildness
Seabirds at sea
Western Isles refuge
A change of scene
Western Isles revisited
Index
Introduction
CLOSE TO HOME
The island effect
The late-summer lull
Man's best friend?
A rat's life
Local patch wildlife
Familiar species
All-time favourite
HUMAN NATURE
Number conundrum
Mario or mud pies?
Splitting headaches
The naming game
Missing from the list
A love of birds?
Unwelcome wildlife
The sound of silence
Health-enhancing House Martins
Adopt a species
Wanted: dead or alive
The state of nature
Urban wildlife
CONFLICTS
Recent arrivals
Rescuing wildlife
The culture of killing
A tale of two raptors
Meddling with wildlife
Moving things around
WILD PLACES
The pursuit of wildness
Seabirds at sea
Western Isles refuge
A change of scene
Western Isles revisited
Index