Footprints in the Woods: The Secret Life of Forest and Riverbank

Footprints in the Woods is a book by John Lister-Kaye that chronicles a year spent observing the comings and goings of otters, badgers, weasels, and pine martens in the wild at Aigas, the conservation and field study center that has been his home for over forty-five years. The book provides insight into the lives, habits, and habitats of these elusive animals, showcasing their playfulness, familial nature, and curiosity. It also serves as a reminder of the fragility of habitat and the importance of protecting it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2023
Publisher: Canongate Books

John Lister-Kaye's captivating book, "Footprints in the Woods," has been recognized with numerous accolades. It has been longlisted for the prestigious Highland Book Prize and shortlisted for the esteemed Richard Jefferies Award. Furthermore, it has been declared as a Waterstones Best Book of 2023. This remarkable work chronicles a year-long endeavor in which John delved into the lives of otters, badgers, weasels, and pine martens. These animals, belonging to the Mustelidae family, reside in the wild at Aigas, a conservation and field study center that has been John's home for over forty-five years. John's dedication to observing and documenting these elusive creatures is evident in his meticulous approach, akin to that of a true naturalist. Through hours of patient waiting and attentive observation in various habitats, including woods, lochs, rivers, fields, and moorland, John gained invaluable insights into the natural behaviors of these animals. His observations revealed their playful nature, familial bonds, curiosity, and unexpected surprises. As a boy, John's first encounter with wild animals was with badgers and weasels, and over the course of fifty years, he has lived in close proximity to them in the Highlands, fostering a deep understanding of their ways. "Footprints in the Woods" represents the culmination of John's long association with the Mustelidae family. It serves as a heartfelt love letter to the otters, badgers, weasels, and pine martens that call Aigas home, as well as a poignant reminder of the fragility of their habitat and the precious beauty and diversity that we risk losing if we fail to actively protect it.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 143 x 224 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838858780
Edition number: Main