Devoted to birds and wildlife since childhood, Mark's early scientific research at Oxford, Aberdeen and the RSPB provided a solid background for his management, ambassadorial, and political lobbying activities which were to follow and his larger than life, yet quietly humane personality has provided the final tools in his own, unique, nature conservationists toolbox.
In this book, Mark mixes a great many stories from his professional life at the RSPB with personal anecdotes and passionate arguments on past and present issues in bird and nature conservation. He shows us something of the many scientists whose work paves the way for conservation action, places domestic conservation into an international context, takes us behind the scenes to glimpse the politicians who have worked with him, or against him, along the way. Mark leaves us armed with practical tips and a guiding philosophy to take wildlife conservation though the troubled years that lie ahead.
A personal, philosophical and political history of 25 years of bird conservation, this book provides an instructive and amusing read for all those who would like a glimpse into the birds and wildlife conservation world what the issues are, what must be done, how it can be done, and the challenges, highs and lows involved.
Foreword by Chris Packham -Preface - Acknowledgements - List of Abbreviations 1. Early years 2. Flow Country days 3. In the pink roseate terns 4. Counting, cubes and curves 5. Is it ever right to be nasty to birds? 6. Special places 7. Hope for farmland birds 8. Reintroductions: putting something back 9. Nature reserves 10. Climate 11. The raptor haters 12. Trying to change the world 13. Advocacy in practice 14. Snippets 15. Whither the RSPB? 16. The tangled bank 17. What we need to do to win - Index
Editorial reviews
"Avery's passion comes through very strongly, and it is hard not to feel motivated about conservation after reading the book. If you know an aspiring young conservationist, this book will be a perfect present." —Rebecca Nesbit in The Biologist
"... an extraordinary work. It explains most aspects of conservation in a succinct, intelligible way that makes one want to pick up the gauntlet and do what one can to join the fight for birds. Inspirational and enlightening it may be but most of all it shows exactly where we are in our race to save our wildlife and urges us all to do more." —Ceri Levy, The Bird Effect Diary
"He successfully transfers onto the page his passion for birds, for wildlife, for science, and for some people. He sets out, very clearly, the art and science of nature conservation, and explains the practicalities in a way that will improve understanding for any reader at any level." —Andy Clements, BTO News
"Fighting for Birds is a must read for anyone who cares about the future of birds on this crowded island - a future that, had Mark Avery not pursued a career in conservation, would have looked far bleaker than it does today." —Stephen Moss, Birdwatch Magazine
"These 300 pages, with their relaxed and fluent prose and the constant presence of wild birds with all their beauty and wonder, slip by in an instant. This is a book not to be missed by anyone in Britain seriously interested in the natural world and its conservation." —Michael McCarthy, The Independent
Mark Avery spent 25 years fighting for birds working for the RSPB, from Research Biologist to Conservation Director and is an influential blogger on all matters nature conservation.
