Stephen Moss Books

On the 10th anniversary of the BBC's genre-defining Planet Earth, this brilliant new book is an all-new look at our astonishing Planet Earth - from a completely new perspective.

Each chapter follows a different dynasty, from the Marsh Lions of the Masai Mara to rival packs of painted wolves, from a tiger protecting her newborn cubs to a chimpanzee troop and the penguin colonies of the Antarctic.

Experience the astonishing wildlife and seasonal spectacles on Britain's own doorstep in this companion to the new BBC series, from the same team who created Africa Britain is a place of remarkable beauty and surprising extremes: nowhere else in the temperate world boasts such extreme variety in such a small area. The humble island has more than 10,000 miles of coastline, iconic animals and birds, and unique spectacles of migration that see wildlife from all corners of the globe descend upon its shores. Life is governed by the seasons: each month bringing extraordinary transformations to the land and its inhabitants. This lavish companion to the BBC One series brings Britain to life, celebrating the vibrancy of the changing year through stunning photography and mesmerizing time-lapse sequences, revealing unmissable drama and beauty.

Following his bestselling biographies of some of our favourite birds - The Robin, The Wren, The Swallowand The Swan- author and naturalist Stephen Moss now turns his attention to a group of birds we rarely see, occasionally hear, yet are always on our minds- the owls. Owls are among the most mysterious birds in the world. Their hauntingly beautiful calls at dusk and nocturnal habits have long captured our collective imaginations - inspiring more superstitions, folktales and myths around the world than any other group of bird. The 'magnificent seven' most famous species of owl - the tawny, little, barn, long-eared, short-eared, snowy and eagle owl - can all be spotted in th UK and each have vast ranges spanning multiple countries and continents where they have lived alongside people for thousands of years. With this book, Stephen Moss takes us on a journey to discover the secret lives they live between twilight and dawn, from the moment they first hatch, to their nightly hunts and how they raise the next generation, weaving together his insights as a naturalist, international folklore and history, his experiences encountering these birds in the wild and some tips for how - with a bit of luck - you can catch a glimpse of them yourself.

"From encounters with the curious black redstart, which winters on our rocky coasts, to the tiny green snowdrop shoots that are the first sign that spring might be round the corner. And from the blossom-time and dawn choruses of April and May into the abundant noisiness of summer, where days start with hawker dragonflies and drowsy bumblebees and end with glow-worms and ghost moths; to autumn when in the early morning mist of London's Richmond Park male red deer lock horns in competition for a mate. Nature is always full of surprises - whether it's the strange behaviour of clothes moths or the gruesome larder of the strike. Distilling two lifetimes' knowledge, expert insight and enthusiasm, award-winning authors and passionate naturalists Brett Westwood and Stephen Moss take us through the year, day by day, sharing the unexpected delights that we can experience in our skies, beaches, rivers, fields, forests and back gardens. There are all kinds of adventures waiting on your doorstep, any day of the year, all you need is Wonderland."--Amazon.com

No other bird is quite so ever-present and familiar, so embedded in our culture, as the robin. With more than six million breeding pairs, the robin is one of Britain's most common birds. It seems to live its life alongside us, in every month and season of the year. But how much do we really know about this bird? Stephen Moss records a year of observing the robin both close to home and in the field to shed light on the hidden life of this apparently familiar bird. We follow its life cycle from the time it enters the world as an egg, through its time as a nestling and juvenile, to the adult bird; via courtship, song, breeding, feeding, migration and ultimately, death. At the same time we trace the robin's relationship with us and ask: how did this particular bird find its way so deeply and permanently into our nation's heart and its social and cultural history? It's a story that tells us as much about ourselves as it does about the robin itself.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. A few years ago, the BBC made the TV programme Dynasties about animal families across the world. They chose to film David and his family - a group of chimpanzees in south-eastern Senegal. Sometimes families are happy and sometimes they fight. Sometimes life is good and sometimes it is not easy. It is the same for chimpanzees, and for all animal families.

The book showcases the enchanting world of birds, blending lyrical prose with informative content. The author, Stephen Moss, captures the essence of avian beauty and the wonders of nature, inviting readers to appreciate the intricacies of birdlife. Through vivid descriptions and eloquent storytelling, Moss brings to life the experiences and observations that celebrate these fascinating creatures in our skies.

How to Birdwatch is an essential, information-packed introduction to watching birds. This attractive guide is perfect both for the budding birdwatcher keen to get started and the more practiced birder, who simply wants to improve his or her birding skills. There is a vast array of field guides and equipment available, but very little information on the fundamental principles of how and where to start. This illustrated guide, written in a clear and jargon-free style, will provide that all important experienced instruction needed to understand and get the most out of watching birds. Stephen Moss, a keen birder from a very early age, guides you through everything you need to know to get your hobby up and running. This book gives clear and practical advice, including: choosing the right field guide: binoculars and clothing: learning vital field techniques: how to take field notes; identification problems and pitfalls; and where to go birdwatching, whether locally or farther afield. Full of humorous anecdotes and enthusiasm for the subject, this book is not only a great read for the aspiring birdwatcher, but more importantly, an indispensable reference tool for anyone new to this increasingly popular hobby.

From the bestselling author of The Robin, The Wren and The Twelve Birds of Christmas.With around 5.3 million breeding pairs, the swallow is one of the most common birds in Britain. Known for living close to human settlements, including rural and urban areas, it is also one of the most-sighted. But how much do we really know about this bird? In The Swallow Stephen Moss documents a year of observing the swallow close to home and in the field to shed light on the secret life of these extraordinary birds. We trace the swallow's lifecycle and journey, from its arrival in the UK in Spring to its epic winter migration to warmer climes, and how the swallow takes its place in popular culture and literature across the centuries.With beautiful illustrations throughout, this captivating year-in-the-life biography reveals the hidden secrets of this iconic bird that lives right on our doorstep.PRAISE FOR STEPHEN MOSS: 'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham'Inspired, friendly and blessed with apparently limitless knowledge' Peter Marren'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily Mail

The fascinating and remarkably uplifting story of how Britain's wildlife has co-opted the most unlikely corners of our manmade landscape, turning them into teeming havens of (un)natural beauty.

Chess has been played for more than 1,500 years and is played in every country in the world. Stephen Moss sets out to master its mysteries, and unlock the secret of its enduring appeal. What, he asks, is the essence of chess? And what will it reveal about his own character along the way? In a witty, accessible style that will delight newcomers and irritate purists, Moss imagines the world as a board and marches across it, offering a mordant report on the world of chess in 64 chapters - 64 of course being the number of squares on the chessboard. He alternates between 'black' chapters - where he plays, largely uncomprehendingly, in tournaments - and 'white' chapters, where he seeks advice from the current crop of grandmasters and delves into the lives of great players of the past

and been inspired by them for our music, art and poetry. In Ten Birds that Changed the World, naturalist and author Stephen Moss tells the gripping story of this long and eventful relationship through ten key species from all seven of the world's continents.

The ideal portable companion, the world-renowned Collins Gem series returns with a fresh new look and updated material.

This evocative account underlines how an unprecedented crisis has changed the way we relate to the natural world, giving us hope for the future at perhaps the darkest time in our lives. And it puts down a marker for the 'new normal': the many species around us, all enjoying, for once, a land less lived in than usual by humankind.

THE MUST-HAVE GIFT FOR BIRD LOVERS THIS CHRISTMAS'Wherever there is a stretch of water for them to find food and make their nest, you will come across swans'The Mute Swan is not so much a bird, as a national the avian equivalent of Sir David Attenborough or the Queen. These huge and stately creatures are part of our urban and rural landscapes, a constant presence on lakes, rivers and ponds throughout Britain. Yet despite their familiarity, they are often misunderstood; and while many people love swans, others fear them.Swans also feature in myths and legends, art and literature, dance and music, not just in Britain but all around the world. Stephen Moss delves into the facts and fiction about these charismatic birds, describes their seasonal life cycle and examines their central role in our history and culture. He also includes stories about 'wild swans' - Whooper and Bewicks - that visit us in winter; and the Black Swan of Australia.With beautiful illustrations throughout, this eye-opening biography reveals the hidden secrets of one of Britain's best-known birds. 

Guardian columnist and Springwatch expert Stephen Moss combines detective work, natural history, folklore and firsthand observations to explore how birds got their names and our long and eventful relationship with the natural world.

Birds and bird lore provide a fascinating window onto our social and cultural history, and can tell us much about our changing relationship with the British landscape, our people and society.

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. Each title includes carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises. Sometimes families are happy, and sometimes they fight. Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it is not easy. It is the same for the Marsh Lions in Kenya's Masai Mara, and for all animal families

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Dynasties: Wolves, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels. In 2018, the BBC filmed a family of painted wolves in Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it is difficult. It is the same for painted wolves, and for all animal families. Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

In the very north of Britain, far from the bustling cities and picturesque countryside to the south, lies Western Europe's greatest wilderness: the Scottish Highlands. This is a land shaped by the flow of ancient ice, where snow-capped mountains tower over ink-black lakes, Golden Eagles soar over heather-clad moors, and Red Deer stags engage in mortal combat for the right to win a mate. Along the coast, sea cliffs and offshore islands teem with millions of seabirds, while the seas themselves are home to Basking Sharks, Orcas and Bottlenose Dolphins. The Highlands may at first sight seem bleak and desolate, but they are also filled with secret wonders, from the ancient Caledonian pine forests to the vast wetland of the Flow Country, and from the sheer granite cliffs of Handa to the mysterious depths of Loch Ness. In this lavish companion to the upcoming BBC TV series, Stephen Moss's thoughtful, authoritative text is accompanied by spectacular pictures from famed Scottish photographer Laurie Campbell. Highlands – Scotland's Wild Heart follows a year in the lives of a stellar cast of wild animals as they live, feed, breed and die in this beautiful, yet unforgiving landscape--a land where only the toughest survive.

Während der gesamten Menschheitsgeschichte haben wir mit Vögeln zusammengelebt. Wir haben sie als Nahrung gejagt und domestiziert, sie in unseren Mythen, Religionen und Ritualen verehrt, sie wegen ihrer natürlichen Ressourcen ausgebeutet und uns von ihnen zu unserer Musik, Kunst und Poesie inspirieren lassen. In Zehn Vögel, die die Welt veränderten erzählt der Naturforscher und Autor Stephen Moss die fesselnde Geschichte dieser ereignisreichen Beziehung anhand von zehn Schlüsselarten. Von Odins treuen Rabengefährten bis zu Darwins Finken, vom Wildtruthahn Amerikas bis zum Kaiserpinguin als starkes Symbol der Klimakrise ist dies ein faszinierendes, aufschlussreiches und unendlich fesselndes Werk der Naturgeschichte.

›Über die Schwalbe‹ bringt dem Leser einen erstaunlichen Vogel und begnadeten Flieger nahe, der die Menschen seit jeher inspiriert. Stephen Moss erzählt von der unglaublichen Reise der Schwalbe von Afrika nach Europa und wieder zurück, von Brut und ihrem Verhalten, aber auch von der Rolle, die sie in unserer Kultur, in der Literatur wie in der Popkultur einnimmt. Dieses Buch lüftet die verborgenen Geheimnisse eines ikonischen Vogels, der direkt vor unserer Haustür lebt.