Wild treasures abound in this absolutely gorgeous ‘love-letter’ to Cornwall and the wild and plant life found there. Author Hannah Stitfall, wildlife presenter and zoologist, is wonderfully enthusiastic and positive, even when covered in mud or without the camera shot she waited hours for. Often out with her dog and willing to brave all weathers, early hours or late nights, Hannah’s stories of the countryside and wildlife surrounding her in Cornwall are magical. Her satisfaction and excitement of her encounters is palatable as she explains: “When a wild species captures a person’s heart it leaves them changed forever. A deep-rooted connection with the natural world is something that never leaves you”. I loved walking through the changing seasons with her, revisiting her memories and experiencing the varied species she photographs. Being able to connect the stories of the capture of the photo to then see the beauty of the animal or bird added an extra dimension and allowed me to view some very familiar animals in a new light. I came to see Hannah as a detective of wildlife encounters, willing to investigate, to use her knowledge to track and locate, hide and wait, and it was lovely to see that on the occasions when her experience didn’t pay off, she was happy to just soak up her surroundings. A rewarding and beautiful read, Wild Treasures sings with the joy of experiencing nature and wildlife. This LoveReading Star Book is a delight, and comes as highly recommended by our team.
'An anarchically charming calendar of Cornwall's wildlife. This is Stitfall in spadefuls; she celebrates the ragged corner of the UK and all its natural treasures. So refreshing!' - Chris Packham
Get up close to Cornwall's wildlife with this magical guide to the year
Hannah Stitfall is a TV presenter and zoologist, who regularly gets up in the early hours of the morning to try and catch sight of some of Cornwall's best hidden wildlife. She will spend hours on end waiting for a creature to appear among a hedgerow, scurrying across Cornwall's open fields or taking flight across its towering cliffs and sandy beaches. In these brief, magical moments, Hannah is able to see and capture animal behaviour that the general public rarely get to witness.
In this book, Hannah shares her incredible stories, beautiful photographs and often funny meetings with Cornwall's wildlife through the course of a year. From brown hares boxing in the grass in the spring, watching an otter cub hunt in the wetlands in winter, to witnessing the unique bioluminescence of a glow-worm in the summer, Wild Treasures is a remarkable diary, informative guide and joyous celebration of our nation's wonderful creatures.
An anarchically charming calendar of Cornwall's wildlife. This is Stitfall in spadefuls; she celebrates the ragged corner of the UK and all its natural treasures. So refreshing! -- CHRIS PACKHAM
Wild adventures found on every page! Hannah perfectly captures the journey and feelings of watching wildlife - the anticipation, the caution, the excitement and, eventually, the utopia. Her words both glue you to the story but also encourage you to get your boots on and find these precious spectacles for yourself. A joyful, heartwarming and important read for nature lovers! -- MEGAN McCUBBIN
