In this book, author Michael Warren takes us on a journey across England (and a bit of Wales) and through time to explore the connection between English place names and birds. Especially interesting are those less obvious connections. It is not a difficult leap to see how Hawkhurst derives its name but the derivation of Yaxley (the Cuckoo’s Lea in the title) or Wroxton is fascinating. 

This book is far more than a simple gazetteer of ornithological toponomy though. The author visits the places and traces the old haunts of the birds, in many places sadly gone and replaced with industrial estates and as he poignantly puts it “litter-leaks”. The author’s skill is bringing the ghosts of the past to life so the reader can vividly picture the great fen before it was drained or medieval villages now completely wiped from the map. As well as the places, the author goes in search of the birds themselves, from Swallows and corvid roosts to more challenging species like Goshawk and brings these encounters to life with words that will resonate with birders. 

I was left with a sense that the place names explored in the book celebrated the natural world. In contrast, today’s ‘Skylark Ways’ and ‘Bunting Roads’, found in modern housing estates, feel like a hollow tribute - the developers’ ironic nods to the very wildlife their projects have displaced. 

The pace of the book occasionally lags, and some of the quoted Old English passages may challenge modern readers. However, for anyone interested in England’s natural and geographical history, this book is a rewarding and enriching read. Lastly, congratulations to artist Matt Johnson on his exquisite cover which really complements the spirit of the words within.

Reviewed by

Simon Bradfield