Orchard: A Year in England’s Eden

By the Wainwright-Conservation-Prize-winning author of Rebirding Spend a year in an orchard, celebrating its imperilled, overlooked abundance of life. England's ancient orchards, collaborations between people and nature, are sources of hope for the future. Protecting them promises a far richer England for the centuries to come, for wildlife and for us. As the seasons turn, a wealth of animals and plants are revealed: Bumble and solitary bees apartment-hunting in April; spotted flycatchers migrating in May; redstarts, hedgehogs and owls nesting in June; an explosion of life in the summer and the harvest and homespun cider-making in the autumn. And all throughout the year, the orchard’s human and animal inhabitants work together, creating one of the richest ecosystems left in Britain. Explore this unique habitat throughout the course of a year, and marvel at the beauty and strength of nature. Benedict Macdonald, the award-winning author, takes us on a journey through the year, highlighting the importance of protection and recreation in these natural habitats. His book, ORCHARD, is a testament to the environmental and natural sciences that thrive in these spaces, making it a top pick for those interested in botany and bird life. For fans of John Lewis-Stempel (Woodston), Sarah Langford (In Your Defence), Mark Avery (Inglorious), James Aldred (Goshawk Summer), and Neil Ansell (The Circling Sky).