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Derek Ratcliffe was arguably the most outstanding field biologist and conservationist of the 20th century. This book explores the breadth, quality and legacy of Derek's work and has many personal reminiscences. The 30 contributors provide fascinating insights to a remarkable person, and events and issues which have shaped wild nature as we see it today. Each part ends with an article written by Derek. Derek was passionate about nature and used his huge knowledge of nature to good effect. He possessed an intense curiosity which drove him to understand and protect nature. His interests ranged from birds, butterflies and dragonflies, and mountain flora and vegetation to the ecology and biogeogr...
Cumbria, or the habitat of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands, is the Lakeland area treated by author Derek Ratcliffe. The region of the Lake District has modest hills compared to the great mountain ranges of continental Europe. Yet they remain for many naturalists the best and most alluring part of Lakeland, with the most glamorous fauna, and a flora fascinating in the story of the past that it tells. New Naturalist Lakeland aims to tell the story of the whole region from the perspective of its natural history, and from the personal viewpoint of the author. There is an emphasis on the northern half of the region where the author grew up, but this counterbalances the p...
The first edition of The Peregrine Falcon was widely recognised as a classic of its kind, documenting not only the species' biology but also the sad tale of its decline due to the impact of pesticides. This extensively revised and enlarged second edition takes full account of important new developments in the story of this bird during the intervening 12 years. It reports one of the few notable successes in wildlife conservation: the full restoration of British and Irish Peregrine populations, and their appreciable recovery in other countries where numbers had also been greatly reduced by the impact of organochlorine pesticides. The pattern of increase in Britain has been extremely varied, fr...
feeding habits, association with other animals, and breeding. The Raven is one of the most spectacular and romantic of British birds, but relatively neglected in the modern literature of ornithology. Derek Ratcliffe here presents a thorough summary of our knowledge of its natural history, emphasizing the long association of the bird with humankind. The place of the Raven in myth, legend and history is long established, and this book describes the bird's fall from grace as a valued scavenger in medieval cities to a persecuted outcast in the modern wilds. The previous wide occurrence of Ravens is reviewed against the relationships between their present distribution, status and habitat requirem...
Another volume in the widely-read New Naturalist series, this book is an in-depth study of the natural developments and history of Galloway and surrounding areas.
Cumbria, or the habitat of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire north of the sands, is the Lakeland area treated by author Derek Ratcliffe in this latest volume in the New Naturalist series.
"An unspoiled region of northern Fennoscandia and northwestern Russia that lies within the Arctic Circle. Laplans holds a fascinating and specialized community of plants and animals. This book is the first to present an in-depth look at the flora and fauna of Lapland. Introductory chapters consider the geography and history of the area as a whole, and the tradition of wildlife study in Lapland. Following chapters focus on the general biogeography and composition of the Lapland flora and fauna, and the ecological strategies of Lapland birds. The wildlife of each distinct Lapland habitat is then considered in detail, with a final section that discusses conservation issues. The text is enhanced by a wealth of color photographs depicting the region's diverse habitats and wildlife."--Jacket.
The first comprehensive, single book on plant communities in the British uplands, providing concise descriptions of all currently recognised British upland vegetation types. The book brings together all of the upland communities described in the National Vegetation Classification.
The most comprehensive collection of ornithology in Australia over the past 100 years, offering insights into not only the egg collections, but lives of the people behind them. Collectors from all over Australia comprise an impressive genealogical detailing of generations, outlining the evolution of the pastime into its current form. The extent of the biographies are a sight to behold.
This 1977 book analyses and describes the wild flora and fauna of Britain and identifies important sites that exemplify this rich heritage.