Black Ops and Beaver Bombing

Adventures with Britain's Wild Mammals

Tim Kendall author Fiona Mathews author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oneworld Publications

Published:2nd May '24

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

Black Ops and Beaver Bombing cover

In Black Ops and Beaver Bombing, a husband-and-wife team explores Britain's wildlife, uncovering fascinating stories about rare mammals and the urgent need for conservation.

In Black Ops and Beaver Bombing, Tim Kendall and Fiona Mathews embark on an extraordinary adventure across Britain, from the bustling streets of Glasgow to the serene landscapes of rural Wiltshire. This husband-and-wife duo is on a mission to uncover the hidden lives of Britain’s rarest mammals. With a mix of humor and insight, they reveal surprising encounters with wildlife, such as urban water voles thriving in parks devoid of water and rare bats residing in unlikely places.

The narrative is not just a celebration of wildlife; it also serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing these animals. A quarter of British mammals are at risk of extinction, prompting the authors to explore conservation efforts and the importance of protecting these creatures. As they travel from Scotland to the Isles of Scilly, they pose intriguing questions about animal behavior, including the curious scent of pine marten droppings and the peculiarities of wild boar.

Black Ops and Beaver Bombing is both an engaging read and a rallying cry for wildlife conservation. The authors' passion shines through as they share their experiences and the stories of the animals they encounter. With a blend of education and entertainment, this book is a must-read for nature enthusiasts and anyone interested in the delicate balance of Britain’s ecosystems.

‘Spring has barely ticked over into summer, but I’ve already found the book that I’ll be recommending for the rest of the year.’

-- BBC Countryfile Magazine

'If you care about Britain’s beautiful mammals – which of course you do – this hilarious book is a must-read. Weasely my favourite book of the year so far.'

-- Dave Goulson, author of Silent Earth

'A cracking book, which shares fascinating stories from the new frontlines of nature conservation... readable and entertainingThe passion and humour of the authors comes through on every page.'

-- Craig Bennett, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts

'Engaging, humorous and full of fascinating facts you probably never knew, Black Ops and Beaver Bombing celebrates, mourns and champions the wonderful variety of British mammals.'

-- Waterstones, Best Books of 2023

'You will laugh and learn in equal measure.’

* BBC Wildlife Magazine *

Delightful… The authors’ sadness is clear, yet the text is more readable because they don’t take themselves too seriously, and scatter the text with memorable details.’

-- Irish Times

Everything you could hope for in a book about our beleaguered native mammals. Elegiac, informative and funny; some truly magical encounters in the wild; an almost baffled indignation at our institutional and collective failures of policy and imagination; and best of all… some actual solutions.’

-- Peter Fiennes, author of Oak and Ash and Thorn

'Packed full of useful information and acutely up to date… As she's one of the ablest mammalogists of our age, it's well worth listening to Fiona Mathews. I would heartily recommend this book to all.'

-- Derek Gow, author of Bringing Back the Beaver

‘This book is, or should be, a big wake-up call to anyone who hasn’t already realised that Britain’s native mammals are in trouble… Black Ops and Beaver Bombing provides an entertaining and informative look at some of our native mammalian species as well as the wider issues associated with species conservation in Britain. It should be required readingfor anyone with a passing interest in our native wild mammals as well as for those who would like to do more to help with conservation. I particularly hope that it will be read by the politicians and other people who are in a position to make positive changes to reverse the decline of our native mammals.'

-- GreenSpirit Magazine

'This is wildlife writing at its most engaging and even though I list my only skill in life as knowing stuff about mammals, I learned something about everything and a lot about somethings.'

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ISBN: 9780861548002

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 27mm

Weight: unknown

368 pages