The Meaning of Geese is an intimate study of the intriguing lives of these under-appreciated birds, as well as a window into the inner workings of a naturalist's obsession.' Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell He left Norfolk to study French, then environmental management, at Oxford University. He travelled to Bolivia to study bird migration patterns, planning to stay for three months, but lived there for a decade, mesmerised by jaguar, pink dolphins, and maned wolves. But the bright, boisterous life of the rainforest was coloured with immense sadness as its wildlife retreated. Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not If you're coming to Coles by car, why not take advantage of the 2 hours free parking at Sainsbury's Pioneer Square - just follow the signs for Pioneer Square as you drive into Bicester and park in the multi-storey car park above the supermarket. Come down the travelators, exit Sainsbury's, turn right and follow the pedestrianised walkway to Crown Walk and turn right - and Coles will be right in front of you. You don't need to shop in Sainsbury's to get the free parking! Where to Find Us Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.' Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not

geese of The goose whisperer: flying high with the wild geese of

As our skies emptied of human traffic with flights grounded around the world, tens of thousands of geese still swirled and clamoured over NorfolkIt’s not just about cycling around North Norfolk as the author brings in characters from the past and interviews some characters from the present too. There is a mix of history, landscape, biology, conservation along with the geese and the cycling. Through geese, we hear about farming practices and farmers, climate change and quite a lot about fellow wildlife enthusiasts of various types. I enjoyed it and I think so will many of the readers of this blog. Through paying close attention to wild nature, Acheson, like so many of us, has found solace during difficult times. These geese make him feel small and he revels in it. “The smaller I can feel, the better it is. And that’s not a self-obliterating feeling, it’s a feeling of wanting to know my place, because genetically, the carbon, the genes, everything that makes me and you and us is part of this enormous flow, and these geese are a sacrament of that.” Lots of us birders have talked about our move towards staying local or travelling by land or not twitching.” Twitching – rushing to photograph whatever rare bird flits into Britain – seems to be a dirty word. “No it isn’t,” says Acheson, “because I respect that for some people that’s a way of appreciating nature. For me, I’d rather have a relationship with a place and the things that live in it.” The information that Acheson provides us with is focused and informative in some ways, but it also contains beautifully lyrical lines which are dispersed throughout. He recounts his days of exploration and observation as he journeys around Norfolk on his mother's trusty 40-year-old red bicycle. He details everything from the highs of finding rare geese to the lows of poor weather and bike repairs, but he also shares his love for these underrated birds with like-minded enthusiasts. These thought-provoking discussions detailing history, landscape, biology and conservation all show the beauty and complexity of these birds that are so often overlooked. It becomes immediately clear just how much joy these birds provide Acheson with as he recounts childhood and also more recent struggles with isolation. They truly are "The souls of winter". Instead he followed flights of geese, by bicycle across Norfolk and through sightings from fellow naturalists, around the world.

The Meaning of Geese: following wild geese around Norfolk The Meaning of Geese: following wild geese around Norfolk

Personally, I can’t get so worked up about some of the other geese wandering around in this area – the Egyptian Geese, Canada Geese and even all those Greylag Geese, and the more than just occasional Barnacle Geese these days. But for lovers of geese this is a book for them.From 1st July 2021, VAT will be applicable to those EU countries where VAT is applied to books - this additional charge will be collected by Fed Ex (or the Royal Mail) at the time of delivery. Shipments to the USA & Canada: The Meaning of Geese shows us it is possible and necessary to know ourselves and our wild world through a deep intimacy with just one place under the sky - and the simple reach of a mother's happy red-darter-coloured bicycle. In an awe-filled and absorbing portrait, wild geese bring the world and its mysteries to us and our shared landscape.

The Meaning of Geese by Nick Acheson (Hardback) - Coles Books The Meaning of Geese by Nick Acheson (Hardback) - Coles Books

He grew up immersed in the wildlife of north Norfolk and has worked in wildlife and conservation all his life, as a naturalist, tour guide, writer and broadcaster. He is president of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society and an ambassador for the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. There is plenty of accurate observation from the naturalist but above all his deep love of nature in general and wild geese in particular comes through a gentle and accessible style. It is prose at its best, not florid and fancy but concise and poetic for all that.Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not Acheson grew up here, in a village called Little Snoring. As a boy, he was obsessed with wild animals and inspired to love geese by a teacher, Dave Horsley, who led his school’s bird club.

book about Norfolk goose Naturalist Nick Acheson releases book about Norfolk goose

During his first degree he spent a year in southern France, on the bank of the Rhône, where greater flamingos, little bustards and pin-tailed sandgrouse became his friends. As he finished his MSc, he went to Bolivia to volunteer for three months on a study of migrant birds. He came home ten years later, having worked in conservation, sustainable development and ecotourism the length and breadth of Bolivia, across South America, and in Australia and India. He didn’t set out to write a book – “I thought, how am I going to get through this winter? I will write a story about the geese” – but his journal has become The Meaning of Geese, a gorgeously observed paean to the beauty and complexity of these birds, and the landscape of North Norfolk. A magisterial diary for bird lovers.’ Observer ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Telegraph As seen on BBC Winterwatch 2023‘Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of... Sometimes their numbers swell and there could be thousands swirling, clamouring and swooping down to seashore roosts or food-rich fields. The world is a jigsaw of understanding,” says Acheson. “You need the first pieces put there for you to start seeing a pattern, and he gave us those pieces. What lives in this landscape? What noise does it make? Where does it come from? He peopled the landscape with what belongs there in an osmotic way. It was so gentle.”Reading The Meaning of Geese may inspire you [to descend on north Norfolk this winter yourself].’ Rated 4 stars by The Telegraph These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community. British Trust for Ornithology, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050 Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030