Congratulations! it sounds like a gorgeous book. I really struggle with recognising bird song (in spite of being an ex-TV wildlife presenter! 🤣) and have gone on a couple of dawn chorus walks with experts to help me improve. I agree, the Merlin app is excellent. I wonder whether people who are musical (unlike me) are better able to recognise different bird species? Or do you think it's something everyone can learn?
I honestly think it's something everyone can learn, but it does take time and attention. I'd advise choosing a bird (one that's nearby, and in voice - eg robins and wrens now) and focusing on it until it's gone in, rather than dotting around. Try to see the bird sing, as that can really help make the connection in your head. I only try to add about three new birds each year to my library!
I have been loosely jotting nature observations down in my diary since discovering Stubborn Light of Things and have been waiting for Homecoming to be released. Mum's already bought it as my Christmas gift and I can't wait to get stuck into it. Congratulations Melissa.
What a fascinating project. I kept my own disjointed and ill-informed journal of what I observed in my Boris walks during lockdown, so am interested to see how this properly written, researched and curated diary will work. Love the regular birdsong check-ins idea.
Hi Andy! Your journal sounds perfect - the research shows that jotting things down, no matter how roughly, really boosts nature connectedness. And anyway, who's judging? You should have seen the first garden notebook I kept!
Definitely. I still look back on it from time to time, usually to compare what I see in later years, whether spring is coming earlier, that sort of thing. I still have to look up the same wildflowers every year to identify them though!
Collecting my copy yesterday made a globally crappy day a bit brighter for one person (me). I am going to try very hard to write in it even though my conditioning means the mere thought makes me slightly queasy, you bully.
I hope not. I do mention some of the research but hopefully I make it clear that about forming new habits, getting slowly more granular in your noticing abilities, and building a lifelong relationship with nature.
Congratulations. Pleased to say I’ve had my copy for over a week and can wholeheartedly recommend it. Feels odd writing in a new book, but it’ll be interesting to read the entries in the years ahead.
Thanks Phil! And yes, that's an interesting thought. A big part of relating to the natural world for me is time: being able to compare not just one season to the next but one year to the next. When I used to keep a garden diary I loved looking back and remembering what I'd seen and done.
Happy Publication Day! I have mine. It is beautifully illustrated. I have a brew and won't be moving from this chair for a while. Few write about nature as wonderfully as you do.
"Noticing" Nature ... would that more people could do so. I didn't expect to find your book available here in Canada but by the wonders of Amazon it seems that a copy will reach me next month.
Huge (belated) congratulations (again). I have been gifting Homecoming like crazy. Such a delight to give something sooooo beautiful.
Congratulations Melissa! The book sounds wonderful and I intend to buy it for my daughters in the UK.
Thank you Leanne! I hope they enjoy it :-)
Homecoming is glorious. I have my copy! It has mud on it already :(
That's perfect, Annie! More mud! It's a doing book :-D
Returned today from a weekend in Norfolk to find this beautiful looking book had been delivered.
Cannot wait to delve in. It’s so satisfyingly tactile too, like the best Folio Society books.
Isn’t it?! I can take no credit for that, but I thoroughly agree.
Congratulations! it sounds like a gorgeous book. I really struggle with recognising bird song (in spite of being an ex-TV wildlife presenter! 🤣) and have gone on a couple of dawn chorus walks with experts to help me improve. I agree, the Merlin app is excellent. I wonder whether people who are musical (unlike me) are better able to recognise different bird species? Or do you think it's something everyone can learn?
I honestly think it's something everyone can learn, but it does take time and attention. I'd advise choosing a bird (one that's nearby, and in voice - eg robins and wrens now) and focusing on it until it's gone in, rather than dotting around. Try to see the bird sing, as that can really help make the connection in your head. I only try to add about three new birds each year to my library!
That’s lovely advice. Thank you! 🌸
I have been loosely jotting nature observations down in my diary since discovering Stubborn Light of Things and have been waiting for Homecoming to be released. Mum's already bought it as my Christmas gift and I can't wait to get stuck into it. Congratulations Melissa.
Thanks - I hope you enjoy it!
It's sounds wonderful - I'll be looking for it tomorrow!
What a fascinating project. I kept my own disjointed and ill-informed journal of what I observed in my Boris walks during lockdown, so am interested to see how this properly written, researched and curated diary will work. Love the regular birdsong check-ins idea.
Hi Andy! Your journal sounds perfect - the research shows that jotting things down, no matter how roughly, really boosts nature connectedness. And anyway, who's judging? You should have seen the first garden notebook I kept!
Definitely. I still look back on it from time to time, usually to compare what I see in later years, whether spring is coming earlier, that sort of thing. I still have to look up the same wildflowers every year to identify them though!
Surely SOME have gone in?
I'm getting quite good at speedwell now.
Collecting my copy yesterday made a globally crappy day a bit brighter for one person (me). I am going to try very hard to write in it even though my conditioning means the mere thought makes me slightly queasy, you bully.
Haha, I KNOW. You could always use pencil, if you really must x
Looking forward to this, especially as it doesn't portray dopamine neurochemistry as if it were a drinks dispenser.
I hope not. I do mention some of the research but hopefully I make it clear that about forming new habits, getting slowly more granular in your noticing abilities, and building a lifelong relationship with nature.
I like this approach
Congratulations. Pleased to say I’ve had my copy for over a week and can wholeheartedly recommend it. Feels odd writing in a new book, but it’ll be interesting to read the entries in the years ahead.
Thanks Phil! And yes, that's an interesting thought. A big part of relating to the natural world for me is time: being able to compare not just one season to the next but one year to the next. When I used to keep a garden diary I loved looking back and remembering what I'd seen and done.
Happy Publication Day! I have mine. It is beautifully illustrated. I have a brew and won't be moving from this chair for a while. Few write about nature as wonderfully as you do.
Thanks Linda! I hope you enjoy it :-)
Well done! I will add to my shopping list!
"Noticing" Nature ... would that more people could do so. I didn't expect to find your book available here in Canada but by the wonders of Amazon it seems that a copy will reach me next month.
Oh hooray! A lot of it is quite UK-specific so I hope it still resonates…
It will ... looking forward to it, the sample October pages you shared recently did a good sales job 👍
Congratulations, can’t wait to grab a copy!
Many congratulations, it looks wonderful!