Wild Air: In Search of Birdsong

James Macdonald Lockhart's book 'Wild Air' is a powerful argument for being still and listening to the birds and the countryside they inhabit. He writes about eight different birds, each representative of a different habitat, and relays what he hears. The sounds the birds make become an introduction to their lives, an audible introduction to the birds and the places they are found.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 13 April 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

In Wild Air, James Macdonald Lockhart embarks on a captivating journey through the world of birds, birdsong, and the enchanting countryside they inhabit. Drawing inspiration from his grandmother's role as a keen listener of bird songs and calls, he sets out to write about a series of birds in the style of recounting what she heard to her elderly and deaf father, the renowned naturalist Seton Gordon.

From the enigmatic churring song of a nightjar on a heath in the south of England to the mesmerizing display of a lapwing over the machair in the Outer Hebrides, Lockhart delves into the lives of eight diverse birds. Each species represents a unique habitat, from the nightjars perched on lowland heaths to the shearwaters overlooking the vast sea, from the dippers navigating the riverbanks to the skylarks soaring over farmland, from the ravens haunting woodland to the divers exploring the tranquil lochs, and from the lapwings gliding along the coast to the nightingales singing in dense scrub. While not all of these birds are traditionally known for their song, they each possess a distinctive musicality that ranges from the strange and enigmatic to the joyous and exuberant.

Through his vivid descriptions and intimate encounters with these birds, Lockhart offers a profound appreciation for the intricate melodies they create. He captures the essence of their songs, revealing the intricate details that reveal their lives and the environments they inhabit. In some instances, he experiences a heightened sense of hearing, allowing him to discern the subtle nuances of bird calls in the darkness or the distant echoes of their songs in the vastness of the loch. At other times, he is struck by the visual spectacle of birds in their natural habitat, observing their graceful movements and vibrant plumage.

However, it is the sounds that the birds make that serve as the gateway to their world. These audible introductions offer a glimpse into the lives of these remarkable creatures, painting a vivid picture of their habitats, behaviors, and interactions with their surroundings. In Wild Air, Lockhart invites readers to embark on a sensory journey, where the sounds of birds become a means of connecting with nature and discovering the wonders of the natural world. Through his meticulous storytelling and captivating prose, he invites us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of birdsong and to recognize the profound impact that these feathered melodies have on our lives and our environment.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008399535