Wildlife of a Garden: a thirty-year study

Many readers of BTO News, particularly Garden BirdWatchers, will have long lists of birds and other wildlife that have visited their garden. It is hard to imagine, however, that any will surpass that of Jennifer Owens. In Wildlife of a Garden, Owen documents 30 years of careful observations in her modest suburban garden in Leicester, during which over 2,500 species of plants and animals have been recorded, including several that were new to science. Here, Owen provides a compelling, colourful and accessible account of this study, with chapters dedicated to butterflies, moths, hoverflies (her specialist area), beetles, and vertebrates, amongst others. In our urbanising world, Owen demonstrates how gardens can support substantial biodiversity and also illustrates the value of identifying and recording our flora and fauna. Chris Packham, BTO Vice President, writes in equally glowing terms in the foreword of this book. An inspirational read for any wildlife gardener.

Book reviewed by Tim Harrison