|
Nature
film-maker and author Andrew Cooper has spent the best part of his
life studying the wildlife of his home county of Devon for his popular
TV programmes.
 I
always knew Devon was good, but I didn't know it was that good. |
| Andrew
Cooper |
Over
the past 18 months Andrew's travelled the county, researching the
richness of Devon's wild places.
The
results of his latest study are published on 18th April 2005 in
his book Secret Nature of Devon, the start of a new national series
of county wildlife guides published by Green Books.
When
we say 'guide' we mean it - this may have a lot of nice photos in
it, but at its heart, it is an in-depth look at all the fauna of
the county.
Secret
Nature of Devon, the first book to look exclusively at the wildlife
of the county, reveals that Devon is far richer in wildlife than
any comparable place in the British Isles.
 |
| Andrew
Cooper |
"In
less than thirty miles you can come from a coastline where sub tropical
flowers bloom, to the wind torn heights of Dartmoor where sub arctic
plants survive," said Andrew Cooper.
"Few
places in Britain can boast such extremes, a rich and diverse nature
in such a short distance - Devon can!"
Secret
Nature of Devon is an inspirational guide to the unique character
of Devon's countryside and the wildlife that is special.
Profusely
illustrated, the book is a wonderful insight into the extraordinary
richness and variety of Devon's wild places:
Andrew
has split the book up into sections, to make it both comprehensive
and easy to navigate.
"I've
tried to break it down into habitats to get the reader excited,"
he said.
"Once
you're excited by a subject you want to learn more about it.
 |
Another
of the pictures from the book, a buzzard.
Photo: Andrew Cooper |
"I've
split it into seasons so if you are down here in the spring and
want to get a real impression of the best wildlife, you'll know
exactly where to go to watch a dipper nesting."
Andrew
has compiled Secret Nature of Devon with advice from the Devon Wildlife
Trust, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation and many other organisations.
The
title is from his most popular, award-winning Â鶹Éç natural history
television series.
It
includes a comprehensive guide to the plants and animals that make
Devon special, with the best time and place to see them; recommended
nature reserves, map and details of local wildlife organisations.
To
see the best the county has to offer, just turn to Andrew's own
top chapter.
"One
of my favourite bits of the book is a section called Wild Highlights,"
he said. "It's
basically a shortcut to some of Devon's best wildlife.
 |
A
Butterfly picture from the book
Photo:
Andrew Cooper |
"It
doesn't matter if you're a resident or a visitor, it points you
straight at the very best wildlife Devon has to offer in each season
of the year."
Used
alongside simple identification guides, Secret Nature of Devon will
have you reaching for your walking boots and setting out on a journey
of discovery.Â….
"I
want to open people's eyes a bit so they're not just looking at
the view, but what's going on around them as well.
"Devon
is astonishing, I was born and brought up in Devon and I thought
I knew the county.
"The
things I've discovered in the last 18 months have really surprised
me. I always knew Devon was good, but I didn't know it was that
good."
* Secret Nature of Devon by Andrew Cooper is published by Dartington
based Green Books, price £12.95.
|
