Wild Mull

A Natural History of the Island and its People

A stunningly illustrated doorway to a unique island world.
Explores the remarkable depth and diversity of the Isle of Mull's natural history, the status of species and challenges they face.
Compelling real-world examples of how people, wildlife and landscape coexist.

£25.00

We currently have 9997 in stock.

This is the book I wish I had in my pocket as I explored this rich, varied, and magical island as a boy. The perfect guide to this perfect place.
—Gordon Buchanan, wildlife filmmaker and presenter

Subject: ornithology-birds-birdwatching natural-history wildlife-travel

Tags:

birds
birdwatching
ecology
islands
Mull
natural history
popular wildlife
scotland
travel

Description

High above the mountaintops on the Isle of Mull, a huge bird is soaring. Its all-encompassing gaze records people in its Hebridean territory far below, but they are of no interest. The eagle is about its business: concentrating on the deer and fidgety hares out grazing in the morning sun, the urgent push of thermals beneath its wings, a threatening weather front way out at sea, and the restless chick back in its eyrie. This is Mull in its glory. This is what the excited, watching people have travelled so far to witness. They train their binoculars and admire, perhaps envy, the eagle with its vast freedom, knowing that such a self-willed being is part of another world – almost.

This book guides the reader through that world. With superb illustrations and illuminating text, we are led to the wild side of Mull. Every facet of the island’s natural history is considered, its diverse species and many stories – past, present and future. Along the way we are reminded that wildness is not somehow separate from the human world but influenced, and shared, by nature and people together.

Here is the tale of a precious and unique place, a seaborne landscape that displays an uncommon biodiversity and rare wildlife experiences, although today it also faces its greatest challenges. Most of all, this book is testimony to the power of wild places and the duty we have to learn from and protect them.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.53061/JCLZ3313

Foreword by Mark Cocker
Introduction

1 The Fairest of the Isles
2 The Land that Holds the Life
3 People and the Shaping of Mull
4 Invasions, Extinctions and Mull’s Own ‘Gene Genie’
5 Fangs, Fins and Fur
6 Raptors of Eagle Island
7 In Their Element – the Seabirds
8 Extraordinary Landbirds
9 The Kingdom of the Celtic Rainforest
10 Plants of Place and Purpose
11 Life Beyond the Strandline
12 Beautiful Beasties
Postscript: The Forever Future

Acknowledgements and Photographers’ Credits
Bibliography
Useful Contacts for Further Information
Watching and Photographing Wildlife on Mull
List of Species Referred to in the Text
Index

Reviews

Mull is indisputably one of the most wonderful areas in Britain for wildlife. Here at last is a book worthy of the place. Stephen Littlewood's authoritative text and Martin Jones' beautiful images will make any Mull visit deeper, richer and much more rewarding.
—Mark Cocker author and naturalist
This is the book I wish I had in my pocket as I explored this rich, varied, and magical island as a boy. The perfect guide to this perfect place.
—Gordon Buchanan, wildlife filmmaker and presenter
This is a very attractive book which deals with a very attractive place that is rich in wildlife.
—Mark Avery, author and environmental campaigner
The authors' love of Mull and empathy with Scottish culture comes across strongly... It’s the kind of book that deserves a prominent place on the bookshelves of anyone with any kind of interest in Mull and its surrounding islands.
—Anne Cleave, Mull Historical & Archaeological Society
Every element is given the same attention and balanced approach that clearly stems from a deep love of Mull and its surrounding environment. The images from the island are something special... You get a sense of the joy the authors had in capturing the life and detail in the landscape.
—Kirsteen Bell, The Oban Times
Weaves together the animals, landscapes and people of this incredible island...Poetic in its descriptions of the resident creatures it also effectively gives them a voice and a place in the history and the future of this Hebridean gem.
—Kenny Smith, Scottish Field
A beautiful book and with sumptuous photos of all the species throughout… Wild Mull has been written by two exceptional field naturalists which adds to the enjoyment of the reading experience. Naturalists will love this book.
—Steven Rutherford, Honorary Chairman, British Naturalists’ Association
Stephen has delved deep into the history, which makes the book a great reference work. Mull deserves this coverage, and the beautiful pictures taken by Martin Jones greatly enhance the book.
—John Miles, Scottish Birds
Wild Mull is a wonderful guide to the island, its wildlife, people and history. Profusely illustrated, I would certainly want to read this before visiting, and probably take it with me.
—Gordon Hamlett, Birdwatchers, Best Bird Books of the Year
Wild Mull has all the ingredients of a truly enjoyable read. It is a beautiful depiction of a place and a reference guide that does justice to a unique island that fully deserves such masterful coverage.
—Laura C. Thubron, Glasgow Natural History Museum
This book is a good meld of natural and human history, anecdotes and facts and a useful reference for those visiting or with an interest in Mull.
—Dan Brown, British Birds
Informative, inspiring and a great guide should you ever visit… and you will want to when you’ve read this book!
—Bo Beolens (Fatbirder)
Very enjoyable... This is a great book to dip into and interesting facts can be found on just about every page.
—Sandy McNeil, De Tha Dol

About the Author

After ‘discovering’ nature on forays among the fields and dykes of Romney Marsh, Kent, an academic career focused on supporting sustainable communities and promoting thriving green environments throughout the UK and Europe. Now resident on the Isle of Mull, Stephen continues to be surprised and delighted by all things wild.

Martin is an award-winning photographer. His interest in wildlife photography led him to the Isle of Mull, beginning a love affair with the island, where he retired with his wife, Stella. Their interest in biodiversity resulted in a huge catalogue of photographs of Mull's unique scenery, fauna, flora and fungi.