The butterflies of Britain, in the words of one of their greatest champions. Matthew Oates has led a butterflying life. Naturalist, conservationist and passionate lover of poetry, he has devoted himself to these exalted creatures: to their observation, to singing their praises, and to ensuring their survival. Based on fifty years of detailed diaries, In Pursuit of Butterflies is the chronicle of this life. Oates leads the reader through a lifetime of butterflying, across the mountain tops, the peat bogs, sea cliffs, meadows, heaths, the chalk downs and great forests of the British Isles. Full of humour, zeal, digression, expertise and anecdote, this book provides a profound encounter with one of our great butterfly lovers, and with a half-century of butterflies in Britain.

The butterflies of Britain, in the words of one of their greatest champions.

About the Author
Matthew Oates is a naturalist, writer and poet who has been obsessed by Britain's butterflies since he was at school. Intimately acquainted with all of Britain's native species, he has made particular studies of the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Mountain Ringlet and Duke of Burgundy. But no butterfly has entranced him so much as the elusive, beautiful Purple Emperor - a butterfly we now understand much better thanks to his detailed and tireless observation. Since 1992 Matthew has worked for the National Trust, where he is currently National Specialist for Nature. Matthew has written widely for newspapers and magazines, and is a regular writer for the Nature Notes column in The Times. He lives in Gloucestershire.

Reviews
Oates ... writes entrancingly, with the sunniest good humour. His book, with its old-school, loving erudition, is nature-writing of the sort that never goes out of fashion. * The Sunday Times *
This book is an infectious, instantly joyful love song to butterflies ... Written in prose as delicate and enticing as the creatures themselves, this read will release your inner flutter. -- Miriam Darlington * BBC Wildlife *
A joy to read, bubbling with knowledge, enthusiasm and insight. * Robert Macfarlane *
... a memoir which is knowledgeable, cultured and a welcome throwback to a gently comic kind of English nature writing. * The Independent *
Oates is unquestionably authentic and his voice is vivid, witty and unapologetic ... his writing is suffused with a love for the spirit of the English countryside. * The Guardian *
Lyrical, eccentric, charming and historical, In Pursuit of Butterflies is altogether unique. * Butterfly magazine *
One of the best summaries of why nature matters and how we should all care. * Spectator *
The writing is perfectly judged, combining a gift for story-telling and for conveying fact with an ever-present sensitivity and self-awareness. There is the author's own poetry too, deeply felt and beautifully crafted. * Rare Bird Alert *
It reminded me of my childhood delight in butterflies - and indeed rekindled it. -- Helen Hewett * Cotswolds Life *
When the weather turns stormy and the butterfly year is over I can turn to this book and be enchanted once again and dream of days to come next year. * Pembrokeshire Life *
He [Oates] writes with lyrical affection about the wonderful variety of British butterflies and moths... His enthusiasm is never less than inspiring. * Daily Mail *
It is his infectious enthusiasm as much as his deep knowledge that makes the book so worthwhile ... He writes entrancingly, with the sunniest good humour. His book, with its old-school, almost loving erudition, is nature-writing of the sort that never goes out of fashion. * The Sunday Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472992185
Author Matthew Oates
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Bloomsbury Wildlife
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 400g