Ireland Through Birds: Journeys in Search of a Wild Nation

Description ‘Places, histories, hikes … a lovely armchair travel book.’ – Margaret Atwood Twelve birds. One country. A wild Ireland waiting to be discovered. In Ireland Through Birds, Conor O’Brien takes the reader on an ornithological adventure around Ireland in search of twelve of our rarest and most elusive birds. Along the journey the author explores every kind of landscape and habitat our island has to offer across all four seasons, from the remote isles of Donegal to the rugged mountains of Kerry and urban parks of Dublin. Through it all, O’Brien is enchanted by calling corncrakes, mesmerised by hunting harriers, and chased by angry skuas. It’s a journey through a staggering array of landscapes that’ll bring the reader face to face with the rich history and stunning wildlife to be savoured right on our doorstep. It explores the stories of the remarkable birds that live here: the genius of the jay, the sublime mimicry of the cuckoo, the nocturnal prowess of the barn owl, while paying a moving,poetic tribute to our natural heritage – and a warning about the threats that face it. Ireland Through Birds is a unique blend of natural history and travelogue, making it a great read for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s natural world. Table of Contents Introduction 1. Merlin 2. Goosander 3. Grey Partridge 4. Red Grouse 5. Corncrake 6. Cuckoo 7. Great Skua 8. Ring Ouzel 9. Barn Owl 10. Jay 11. Hen Harrier 12. Jack Snipe Bibliography About the Author Conor W. O’Brien is a writer and photographer with a lifelong interest in the natural world. His work has been published in Ireland’s Own, Irish Wildlife magazine and Wings, the official publication of Birdwatch Ireland. Conor’s first book, Ireland Through Birds: Journeys in Search of a Wild Nation, was shortlisted for Best Irish-Published Book at the 2019 An Post Irish Book Awards. His second book, Life in Ireland: A Short History of a Long Time, was published in 2021. Conor is a board member at Birdwatch Ireland, one of the country’s largest conservation charities. From Wicklow, he now lives in County Meath. Praise for Ireland Through Birds ‘Rich, fascinating and contextual fare … This bright and amiable edition succeeds by harnessing the wonderment of Irish birdlife and their habitats, reminding us of their preciousness in the context of a broad and uncertain environmental backdrop.’ Hilary A. White, Irish Independent ‘…beautifully written. O’Brien has carved out a fresh and personal niche with a travelogue as intriguing about places as about the birds themselves.’                                                            Michael Viney, The Irish Times