Notes on nature

Under the Stars Matt Gaw Elliott & Thompson, £13

Matt Gaw is not afraid of the dark. Instead, he willingly wanders into it, glimpsing a world increasingly affected by light pollution. Under the light of the moon and stars, he details the changing rhythms of life after dusk.

Greenery Tim Dee Jonathan Cape, £19

Forget winter’s bleached whites – author Tim Dee follows the wake-up call of the wild, treading the path of migrating swallows from South African shores to Scandinavia. A colourful account of spring’s awakening with tales from Sámi reindeer herders also in the mix.

The Accidental Countryside Stephen Moss Faber and Faber, £17

Writer Stephen Moss’s bible of hidden places to spy wildlife is a welcome addition to our shelves. From London’s city jungle to UK rail corridors, he shows us that rare finds can just be a happy accident in our own back garden.

A Time of Birds Helen Moat Saraband, £10

Helen Moat shows a different side to a conflicted continent, having pedalled through Europe’s forests and fields. As she dusts offs her spin shoes, she confronts her past, finding a sense of belonging in unexpected places.

The Only Gaijin in the Village Iain Maloney Polygon, £13

Scottish writer Iain Maloney is far from home in this funny and uplifting read. Having decided to settle in a rural Japanese village, Iain and his wife imagine a world of pastoral delights – they meet bird-sized bees and hawk-eyed neighbours, instead.

The Hound from Hanoi Moire O’sullivan Sandstone Press, £10

In this tribute to her late husband Pete, adventurer Moire O’sullivan reveals why a chance choice to rescue a Vietnamese street dog from his fate (becoming food) helped unite them. A wild canine caper from Hanoi to the Himalayas.