Beyond Spring by Matthew Oates

Beyond Spring by Matthew Oates

Beyond Spring describes a sequence of wanderings through the natural world of England, from spring's genesis through to summer's fulfilment.

Some of the chapters explore renowned wildlife localities, such as the Scilly Isles and the Norfolk Broads, or classic landscapes like Borrowdale and Dovedale. Others were drafted on train journeys, in Hyde Park, at a motorway service station, and along the mesmeric A272 which meanders through West Sussex. It is meant for snatch-reading, especially in winter, when we can hardly remember the brighter months to come.

It includes memorable quotes from the Romantic poets, the great Victorian and Edwardian nature writers (Richard Jefferies, WH Hudson and, in particular, Edward Thomas) and several of today's leading nature poets. It is part prose-poem, part musing, part deep-end natural history - and all is blended with modern ecological and conservation perspectives.

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 Britain's native species, he has conducted most of his research on the Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Mountain Ringlet and Duke of Burgundy; his experiences are summarised in his previous book, In Pursuit of Butterflies. But no butterfly has entranced him as much as the elusive Purple Emperor - a butterfly we now understand much better thanks to his detailed and tireless observations.

Matthew retired from his post as National Specialist on Nature with the National Trust in 2018, and dedicated his retirement to ensuring the future of his favourite butterfly. He writes regularly for The Times Nature Notebook column and in magazines, and lives on the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border.