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Geroezemoes in het gras
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
Dave Goulson verlangt ernaar een stuk grond te bezitten dat hij naar believen kan beheren, alsof het zijn eigen natuurreservaat is. Zijn oog valt op een vervallen huis in het Franse dorp Epenède, in de Charente. Hij richt het zo in dat het een paradijs wordt voor alle insecten en kleine dieren die in en om het huis leven.
In Geroezemoes in het gras leidt hij ons daar rond. Op hartverwarmende wijze vertelt hij hoe een doodskloppertje zijn partner vindt, wat de rol van een gewone huisvlieg is, waarom vlinders stippen op hun vleugels hebben en hoe waterjuffers de liefde bedrijven.
Goulson laat zien hoe prachtig de natuur in al haar verschijningsvormen is, maar ook hoe kwetsbaar. Na het lezen van dit boek kijk je met nieuwe aandacht naar de natuur om je heen en koester je meer dan ooit wat er allemaal bloeit en groeit.
Dave Goulson verlangt ernaar een stuk grond te bezitten dat hij naar believen kan beheren, alsof het zijn eigen natuurreservaat is. Zijn oog valt op een vervallen huis in het Franse dorp Epenède, in de Charente. Hij richt het zo in dat het een paradijs wordt voor alle insecten en kleine dieren die in en om het huis leven.
In Geroezemoes in het gras leidt hij ons daar rond. Op hartverwarmende wijze vertelt hij hoe een doodskloppertje zijn partner vindt, wat de rol van een gewone huisvlieg is, waarom vlinders stippen op hun vleugels hebben en hoe waterjuffers de liefde bedrijven.
Goulson laat zien hoe prachtig de natuur in al haar verschijningsvormen is, maar ook hoe kwetsbaar. Na het lezen van dit boek kijk je met nieuwe aandacht naar de natuur om je heen en koester je meer dan ooit wat er allemaal bloeit en groeit.
304 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2014
139 people are currently reading
2675 people want to read
About the author
Dave Goulson
18 books342 followersAfter a childhood chasing butterflies and collecting bird’s eggs, I studied Biology at Oxford University, and then did a PhD on butterfly ecology at Oxford Brookes University. Shortly afterwards I got a lectureship at University of Southampton, where I stayed for 11 years. It was there that I began to specialize in bumblebee ecology and conservation. In 2006 I became Professor of Biology and Stirling University. In 2006 I also founded the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity devoted to reversing bumblebee declines. In 2013 I moved to Sussex University.
I have published over 200 scientific articles on the ecology of bees and other insects, and am author of Bumblebees: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation (2010, Oxford University Press) and A Sting in the Tale (2013, Jonathan Cape), a popular science book about bumblebees. A Buzz in the Meadow (Jonathon Cape) is due to be published in September 2014.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 2010 I was BBSRC "Social Innovator of the Year" and in 2013 I won the Marsh Award for Conservation Biology from the Zoological Society of London.
I have published over 200 scientific articles on the ecology of bees and other insects, and am author of Bumblebees: Behaviour, Ecology and Conservation (2010, Oxford University Press) and A Sting in the Tale (2013, Jonathan Cape), a popular science book about bumblebees. A Buzz in the Meadow (Jonathon Cape) is due to be published in September 2014.
I am a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 2010 I was BBSRC "Social Innovator of the Year" and in 2013 I won the Marsh Award for Conservation Biology from the Zoological Society of London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
January 7, 2018
"Conservation is not just about Javan rhinos and snow leopards; it is just as much about bees and beetles, flowers and flies, bats and bugs."
I read my first Dave Goulson book "A Sting in the tale" sometime in the fall of 2016. I was a this time already a rather inspired hobby gardner, with a strong preferance for flowers and plants that drew bumblebees and butterflies. However, this was limited to potted plants on my terrace. Goulson's book inspired me to look at the rest of the plot. I have a small patch of land, 18 meters by 5, which is very steep. On the left side, I also have my neighbor's untouched plot of equal size. For several years, I had been cutting the grass on my neighbor's plot and my own every two weeks. Now I do it once a year. Last year I let it grow and cut it just once, in August. This was rather labor intensive, I had to use a scythe. It was worth it though. Instead of having just a few potted plants, I now had a tiny little meadow island. I counted at least ten different species of bumblebees one day in July, many that I had never seen before.
I gather there are a couple of reasons for my instant success. One, the plot has never been fertilized - there has never been a lawn. Two, despite the avid cutting, many flowering plants - particularly red clover - had already established themselves. So this is my tiny little effort for biodiversity. I cannot change the world, but I can choose what I do with my plot of land.
For the coming season, I have a new concern. "In the mid-1990s a new class of insecticide was introduced. Known as neonictoinoids, they are synthetic variants of nicotine. They block open insect nerve-receptors, thus attacking the insect nervous system and brain, and are phenomenally toxic in tiny amounts. Neonices have a major advantage over most of the insetcicides in that they are systemic. They can be applied as a seed dressing before the crop is sown, and the germinating seedling absorbs the the chemical, which spread through the plant."
Neonics cause bees and insects to become disoriented. This is one of the reasons that bee colonies are collapsing. Neonics do not kill outright, but a bee that cannot find its nest is a dead bee. In an experiment performed by Dave Goulson himself, the number of new bumblebee queens in nests exposed to neonics was 85% lower than in unexposed nests. This is staggering. Now wonder our pollinators are disappearing.
This is not just a problem for bees, obviously. I recall driving at the end of the 1990's and the insects hitting the windshield was incessant and there was always a coating of goo in summer that was incredibly difficult to remove. Insects hitting the windshield these days are few and far between. The insect population as a whole is starting to collapse, and this is the basis of the ecological food chain.
My deep concern now is whether the flowers I buy rather than grow myselves, have been exposed to neonics. Am I inadvertedly poisoning the very creatures I am trying to help? At the moment I am inclined to home-grow all potted flowers from ecological seeds - but this is incredibly work intensive for the ones that need rearing from February to flower in July.
What I do with pests on my precious hand-reared plants? I either leave them or I kill them manually. I have not used any poison, whether weed or insect killer, for many years.
We are living in the 6th exctinction. We are using more resources than the Earth has to offer and we are destroying the ecological balance. We do not know how many species we need to have a world that works like we are used to. I think we are heading for a disaster of such a monumental scale that it will become obvious in my lifetime.
This book is mostly optimistic though. Dave Goulson is funny and clever and does what he can with the resources he has. You should to. Read him to be inspired. I was. I now happily annoy my neighbors by letting nearly 200 square meters grow wild in a decidedly suburban area.
I read my first Dave Goulson book "A Sting in the tale" sometime in the fall of 2016. I was a this time already a rather inspired hobby gardner, with a strong preferance for flowers and plants that drew bumblebees and butterflies. However, this was limited to potted plants on my terrace. Goulson's book inspired me to look at the rest of the plot. I have a small patch of land, 18 meters by 5, which is very steep. On the left side, I also have my neighbor's untouched plot of equal size. For several years, I had been cutting the grass on my neighbor's plot and my own every two weeks. Now I do it once a year. Last year I let it grow and cut it just once, in August. This was rather labor intensive, I had to use a scythe. It was worth it though. Instead of having just a few potted plants, I now had a tiny little meadow island. I counted at least ten different species of bumblebees one day in July, many that I had never seen before.
I gather there are a couple of reasons for my instant success. One, the plot has never been fertilized - there has never been a lawn. Two, despite the avid cutting, many flowering plants - particularly red clover - had already established themselves. So this is my tiny little effort for biodiversity. I cannot change the world, but I can choose what I do with my plot of land.
For the coming season, I have a new concern. "In the mid-1990s a new class of insecticide was introduced. Known as neonictoinoids, they are synthetic variants of nicotine. They block open insect nerve-receptors, thus attacking the insect nervous system and brain, and are phenomenally toxic in tiny amounts. Neonices have a major advantage over most of the insetcicides in that they are systemic. They can be applied as a seed dressing before the crop is sown, and the germinating seedling absorbs the the chemical, which spread through the plant."
Neonics cause bees and insects to become disoriented. This is one of the reasons that bee colonies are collapsing. Neonics do not kill outright, but a bee that cannot find its nest is a dead bee. In an experiment performed by Dave Goulson himself, the number of new bumblebee queens in nests exposed to neonics was 85% lower than in unexposed nests. This is staggering. Now wonder our pollinators are disappearing.
This is not just a problem for bees, obviously. I recall driving at the end of the 1990's and the insects hitting the windshield was incessant and there was always a coating of goo in summer that was incredibly difficult to remove. Insects hitting the windshield these days are few and far between. The insect population as a whole is starting to collapse, and this is the basis of the ecological food chain.
My deep concern now is whether the flowers I buy rather than grow myselves, have been exposed to neonics. Am I inadvertedly poisoning the very creatures I am trying to help? At the moment I am inclined to home-grow all potted flowers from ecological seeds - but this is incredibly work intensive for the ones that need rearing from February to flower in July.
What I do with pests on my precious hand-reared plants? I either leave them or I kill them manually. I have not used any poison, whether weed or insect killer, for many years.
We are living in the 6th exctinction. We are using more resources than the Earth has to offer and we are destroying the ecological balance. We do not know how many species we need to have a world that works like we are used to. I think we are heading for a disaster of such a monumental scale that it will become obvious in my lifetime.
This book is mostly optimistic though. Dave Goulson is funny and clever and does what he can with the resources he has. You should to. Read him to be inspired. I was. I now happily annoy my neighbors by letting nearly 200 square meters grow wild in a decidedly suburban area.
August 23, 2019
As Goulson did in his book about bees, A Sting in the Tale, he treats readers like friends he is taking on a gentle tour to have everyday encounters with nature. The low-key, humorous anecdotes are reminiscent of the writings of Gerald Durrell, but – like Durrell – Goulson has a serious environmental agenda. By incorporating details of his own academic research as well as projects he’s overseen, Goulson makes science sound exciting. Some of the most amusing chapters are about the sexual habits of insects and plants. This is less focused than his previous book, though, and repeats some of the material. The main draw, as always, is Goulson’s infectious enthusiasm and excellent explanations of science.
See my full review at Nudge.
See my full review at Nudge.
April 16, 2016
A decade ago Goulson decided to buy a derelict farm deep in the French countryside with 33 acres of land so he could realise the dream of creating a place for his beloved bumblebees to live and thrive. But as he works on the farm and the land he comes to realise there is a lot more going on in what looks on the surface to be a simple meadow.
He writes about how everything is interconnected, from the way that the plants attract pollinators, the sheer numbers and variety of insects that fulfil a specific purpose and the way that this affect all the other animals up the food chain. In this he has anecdotes about bedbugs, wasps and butterflies.
But in this he also has a wake up call for us. The latest pesticide, neonics, has been passed as safe by all the authorities, but follow some original research that he did, and was published in Nature, he is questioning the very fact they should be available. There pervasiveness in the modern farms is affecting all insect life, from the good and the bad, and there is no real proof that they do increase yields. Scary stuff.
Written with his usual humour and wit, this is a book of the time, and its conclusions should be acted upon.
He writes about how everything is interconnected, from the way that the plants attract pollinators, the sheer numbers and variety of insects that fulfil a specific purpose and the way that this affect all the other animals up the food chain. In this he has anecdotes about bedbugs, wasps and butterflies.
But in this he also has a wake up call for us. The latest pesticide, neonics, has been passed as safe by all the authorities, but follow some original research that he did, and was published in Nature, he is questioning the very fact they should be available. There pervasiveness in the modern farms is affecting all insect life, from the good and the bad, and there is no real proof that they do increase yields. Scary stuff.
Written with his usual humour and wit, this is a book of the time, and its conclusions should be acted upon.
November 14, 2014
Funny, clever, learned and very thought provoking about the damage we are doing to our planet. The chapter about the proliferation of flies directly linked to two weekly refuse collections (a hot topic right now in England) was extremely worrying.
A book that will make me think differently (and look differently) at the insects in my garden - and occasionally in my home, even if it is just an annoying house fly.
Learnt so much - but as Goulson says, we are only merely scratching the surface of all there is to know.
A book that will make me think differently (and look differently) at the insects in my garden - and occasionally in my home, even if it is just an annoying house fly.
Learnt so much - but as Goulson says, we are only merely scratching the surface of all there is to know.
June 12, 2022
4,5 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
Veel mensen dromen er van: een oud boerderijtje in Frankrijk op de kop tikken en lekker opknappen. Natuutlijk voor mij met een wit hekje en een hangbuik zwijntje.
Dave Goulson, hommel- professor uit Engeland, deed het en begon op die manier zijn eigen natuurparadijsje. In dit boek leidt hij ons rond en vertelt over de insecten die hij tegenkomt.
Hij is een vaardig verteller met een aanstekelijk enthousiasme. Zijn liefde voor insecten gaat ver. Zelfs de bonte knaagkever mag rustig blijven zitten in de eikenhouten balken van zijn boerderij, want hij kan het geluid van de beestjes (klop-klop-klop-klop-klop) ook wel weer waarderen. Het is de lokroep van het mannetje, zo weet hij te vertellen, en al doende vloeit er een prachtig verhaal over dit wonderlijke insect uit zijn pen.
Op die manier rijgt Goulson in het eerste deel van het boek het ene na het andere verhaal over verschillende insecten aan elkaar.
Het tweede deel van het boek gaat over relaties in de natuur, zoals de bekende bloem-bestuiver relatie, maar ook de minder bekende relatie tussen schimmels en bloemen. Ik heb nooit geweten dat er een schimmel bestaat die de avondkoekoeksbloem kan “overnemen”…
Het derde deel behandelt de achteruitgang van bijen. Hij beschrijft hoe hij de wereld van de neonicotinoïden wordt ingezogen en onderdeel wordt van een grote strijd tegen dit schadelijke bestrijdingsmiddel. Ik las het in één adem uit. Met iets meer uitwerking had hier misschien wel een aparte page turner in gezeten.
Wie dit boek heeft gelezen, kan volgens mij niet anders dan vol verwondering kijken naar de insectenwereld om ons heen. Morgen ga ik in het gras liggen, genieten van het geroezemoes.
Veel mensen dromen er van: een oud boerderijtje in Frankrijk op de kop tikken en lekker opknappen. Natuutlijk voor mij met een wit hekje en een hangbuik zwijntje.
Dave Goulson, hommel- professor uit Engeland, deed het en begon op die manier zijn eigen natuurparadijsje. In dit boek leidt hij ons rond en vertelt over de insecten die hij tegenkomt.
Hij is een vaardig verteller met een aanstekelijk enthousiasme. Zijn liefde voor insecten gaat ver. Zelfs de bonte knaagkever mag rustig blijven zitten in de eikenhouten balken van zijn boerderij, want hij kan het geluid van de beestjes (klop-klop-klop-klop-klop) ook wel weer waarderen. Het is de lokroep van het mannetje, zo weet hij te vertellen, en al doende vloeit er een prachtig verhaal over dit wonderlijke insect uit zijn pen.
Op die manier rijgt Goulson in het eerste deel van het boek het ene na het andere verhaal over verschillende insecten aan elkaar.
Het tweede deel van het boek gaat over relaties in de natuur, zoals de bekende bloem-bestuiver relatie, maar ook de minder bekende relatie tussen schimmels en bloemen. Ik heb nooit geweten dat er een schimmel bestaat die de avondkoekoeksbloem kan “overnemen”…
Het derde deel behandelt de achteruitgang van bijen. Hij beschrijft hoe hij de wereld van de neonicotinoïden wordt ingezogen en onderdeel wordt van een grote strijd tegen dit schadelijke bestrijdingsmiddel. Ik las het in één adem uit. Met iets meer uitwerking had hier misschien wel een aparte page turner in gezeten.
Wie dit boek heeft gelezen, kan volgens mij niet anders dan vol verwondering kijken naar de insectenwereld om ons heen. Morgen ga ik in het gras liggen, genieten van het geroezemoes.
July 14, 2015
Rated 4.5 - I've included pictures of bees in my garden within this review at my new blog, TheZestQuest.com. Enjoy :)
A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW: The Natural History of a French Farm by Dave Goulson is so much more than its title suggests. Dave Goulson is an entertainer with his words and style, which is perfect for those of us who love this earth we live on and the creatures who share it. The book is divided into three sections and those sections will appeal to readers based on their interests and prior knowledge of plants, insects, wildlife and how humans have interacted with all three throughout history. For anyone who loves scientific study, then this book will be fascinating for you because Mr. Goulson explains many experiments done by his students or other scientists to prove his theories and predictions. A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW is a cornucopia of information for those captivated by entomology.
Having studied insects briefly in my training as a master gardener volunteer years ago, I had enough of a background to peak my interest, but this book enthused me even more than I had initially anticipated. I think this is because Mr. Goulson's rambling style and sense of humor takes the reader on a journey while educating, so you learn as you read but you don't feel as if you've been in a classroom.
I especially enjoyed how the chapters began with a journal entry that included the author's morning run statistics, along with his observations of animals, people and insects along the way. It added a human element and something we can easily do ourselves as we walk our gardens. I took a very long time to read this book as I read mostly before slipping off into dreamland and I found that reading about insects wasn't always conducive to a good night's sleep. Especially when I got to the bedbugs section – shudders! I finally figured out that beginning my day with a chapter got my brain stirring along with a cup of tea and my skin no longer crawled.
I have to admit that the mating rituals of insects was a bit beyond what I really wanted to know, but it all had a reason for being in this book which is all-encompassing, rich scientific detail in an easy-to-read format for any level of gardening knowledge. There were some moments where the book stalled for me but I'm so glad I persisted because it was well worth my time. No matter how fast you read this book, you'll surely appreciate the epic proportions of the author's devotion to extenuating life to these creatures we rarely think about, because they truly are our lifeline to an edible future.
This book isn't just limited to insects so those who enjoy memoirs about the outdoors in general will appreciate A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW as well. I found the extremes taken to catch the "wack-wack bird" and the identification of the "beast" a very entertaining part of the story that made me want to be a part of this group of people who have an insatiable zest for knowledge, and the good humor to do whatever it takes to obtain it.
My favorite section of this book was "Part III Unraveling the Tapestry," which focused on the disappearance of bees and other species. I recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for conservation because it will reignite your passion. As one who misses the existence of honey bees in my own cottage garden, I can't help but wonder how the world around me has reduced, not only the beautiful bees, but some of the gorgeous wasps I no longer see here. Are they extinct? I will never know because I haven't identified them by their specific names but I miss their company amongst my flowers. If the gorgeous purple-black wasps come back, I will grab my camera for pictures so I never forget them.
A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW is great reading material for those who wonder about pollinators and how we can save them. If we protect those who help pollinate our food, we in essence defend our families' future. My heartfelt thanks to author Dave Goulson for bringing this tragedy to the world's attention in a way that makes us feel empowered enough to make a difference. Let's get a buzz going in our own meadows.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley. Photos provided by The Zest Quest.
A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW: The Natural History of a French Farm by Dave Goulson is so much more than its title suggests. Dave Goulson is an entertainer with his words and style, which is perfect for those of us who love this earth we live on and the creatures who share it. The book is divided into three sections and those sections will appeal to readers based on their interests and prior knowledge of plants, insects, wildlife and how humans have interacted with all three throughout history. For anyone who loves scientific study, then this book will be fascinating for you because Mr. Goulson explains many experiments done by his students or other scientists to prove his theories and predictions. A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW is a cornucopia of information for those captivated by entomology.
Having studied insects briefly in my training as a master gardener volunteer years ago, I had enough of a background to peak my interest, but this book enthused me even more than I had initially anticipated. I think this is because Mr. Goulson's rambling style and sense of humor takes the reader on a journey while educating, so you learn as you read but you don't feel as if you've been in a classroom.
I especially enjoyed how the chapters began with a journal entry that included the author's morning run statistics, along with his observations of animals, people and insects along the way. It added a human element and something we can easily do ourselves as we walk our gardens. I took a very long time to read this book as I read mostly before slipping off into dreamland and I found that reading about insects wasn't always conducive to a good night's sleep. Especially when I got to the bedbugs section – shudders! I finally figured out that beginning my day with a chapter got my brain stirring along with a cup of tea and my skin no longer crawled.
I have to admit that the mating rituals of insects was a bit beyond what I really wanted to know, but it all had a reason for being in this book which is all-encompassing, rich scientific detail in an easy-to-read format for any level of gardening knowledge. There were some moments where the book stalled for me but I'm so glad I persisted because it was well worth my time. No matter how fast you read this book, you'll surely appreciate the epic proportions of the author's devotion to extenuating life to these creatures we rarely think about, because they truly are our lifeline to an edible future.
This book isn't just limited to insects so those who enjoy memoirs about the outdoors in general will appreciate A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW as well. I found the extremes taken to catch the "wack-wack bird" and the identification of the "beast" a very entertaining part of the story that made me want to be a part of this group of people who have an insatiable zest for knowledge, and the good humor to do whatever it takes to obtain it.
My favorite section of this book was "Part III Unraveling the Tapestry," which focused on the disappearance of bees and other species. I recommend this book to anyone who has a heart for conservation because it will reignite your passion. As one who misses the existence of honey bees in my own cottage garden, I can't help but wonder how the world around me has reduced, not only the beautiful bees, but some of the gorgeous wasps I no longer see here. Are they extinct? I will never know because I haven't identified them by their specific names but I miss their company amongst my flowers. If the gorgeous purple-black wasps come back, I will grab my camera for pictures so I never forget them.
A BUZZ IN THE MEADOW is great reading material for those who wonder about pollinators and how we can save them. If we protect those who help pollinate our food, we in essence defend our families' future. My heartfelt thanks to author Dave Goulson for bringing this tragedy to the world's attention in a way that makes us feel empowered enough to make a difference. Let's get a buzz going in our own meadows.
Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of The Zest Quest. ARC provided by publisher through NetGalley. Photos provided by The Zest Quest.
September 18, 2017
After reading A Sting in the Tale last month I was so keen to read the next book by Dave Goulson. In this one he talks about the plethora of wildlife discovered in the meadow he owns. I feel like Goulson's enthusiasm is so infectious and there were times that I wanted to turn my backyard into a giant pond and wildlife hub. The book is just so interesting and there are so many good points bought up about conservation and preserving what we have to enjoy it while it's here and in the future. I feel as though everyone should read this and A Sting in the Tale. They are so good. I'm definitely keen to pick up Bee Quest, Goulson's third book, very soon.
August 29, 2016
A 3.5. I should probably round up because the message is important: we need to save fauna and their habitat by changing all kinds of human behavior , including the use of neonic pesticides, destroying swaths of wildland, global warming etc.
The biologist author charms you first with several chapters about the rural property he buys in Charente, France, to create a small nature preserve and to run experiments on preserving and repairing habitat. Amusing anecdotes, many experiments with good background, and gradual introduction of the destruction we're wreaking, with experimental support.
The biologist author charms you first with several chapters about the rural property he buys in Charente, France, to create a small nature preserve and to run experiments on preserving and repairing habitat. Amusing anecdotes, many experiments with good background, and gradual introduction of the destruction we're wreaking, with experimental support.
January 7, 2015
An interesting, but overlong look at insects and other random species, the book is part natural history, part memoir, and a very convincing appeal to drastic and immediate conservation. I lost interest in the book a few times, and I was surprised by how unsophisticated and random some of the scientific methods were that were used to gather data of various species of insects discussed. But the very beginning and very end of the book were the payoffs. I deeply believe that much more urgent conservation is needed in order to heal and sustain our planet and its creatures, and Goulson makes a great case for why this need is even more urgent than many people would admit. An important book too often hidden in the mass of unimportant details.
July 7, 2022
I always learn a ton and gain more appreciation for the natural world when I read one of Dave Goulson's books - is there anyone on earth who is more passionate about insects? I love how he inspires conservation action in his readers.
I didn't feel like this book was quite as cohesive as the others I've read of his but it was still highly enjoyable and interesting.
I didn't feel like this book was quite as cohesive as the others I've read of his but it was still highly enjoyable and interesting.
August 10, 2018
3,5 gwiazdki. Wciągająca, lekko napisana książka o bioróżnorodności, a przede wszystkim o różnych owadach.
June 4, 2020
2.5 Stars!
“If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.”
Dragonflies have the largest eyes in the insect world, with up to 30,000 facets and apparently cannibalism among mating mantises isn’t quite as common as popular culture would have us believe. I enjoyed many of the memorable little lines in here, such as “Each flower is both an advert and a trading platform.” Oh and did you know that more than 100 human diseases are spread by Musca domestica or house flies, including polio, hepatitis, cholera, typhoid and anthrax. Apparently they are attracted to black spots.
This certainly contained its share of offbeat charms, and meaty facts and trivia, but compared to its predecessor this is actually a pretty dull and lifeless affair. Goulson is infinitely likeable, but alas the same can’t always be said for his prose and I would say that this is more likely to appeal to academics or specialists than the casual reader.
January 11, 2025
Just a lovely read, really appreciate the style of going between talking about what is happening on the farm as well as the in depth bits about insects and the like. Enjoyed it! I want to build a pond in my garden one day.
“We hope that, when the insects take over the world m, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.”
“We hope that, when the insects take over the world m, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.”
July 29, 2018
4.5 stars
January 21, 2019
A charming introduction to the life of insects--and the terrible challenges they face in the Anthropocene.
October 17, 2021
This book starts out simply describing how ingenious, fascinating and beautiful insects and the ecosystems they live in are in a very amusing way (although i was happy that Goulsen acknowledged that house flies are f-ing annoying 😛). Then later on turns in to a call to arms by arguing that preservation is about more than just saving a few poster animals like pandas and whales.
It definitely changed my perception of all the buzzing I hear around here in rural france!
It definitely changed my perception of all the buzzing I hear around here in rural france!
August 10, 2016
A Buzz in the Meadow is a captivating look at our natural world through the eyes of Dave Goulson, who I know better as the founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, that august body, of which I am a member. In 2003 DG bought a derelict farm in the heart of rural France, together with 33 acres of surrounding meadow. Over the course of a decade he created a place for his beloved bumblebees to thrive along with myriad insects of every kind. A significant part of the book contains his own research, alongside that of other scientists, into the threat posed by the use of neonicotinoids as pesticides and their devastating affect on bee populations around the world, something that the giant, multi-national manufacturer of agrochemicals, Bayer, widely disputes. Only to be expected as they resolutely defend a US$4 billion market. Well, neonicotinoid pesticides do cause harm to bees and I urge everyone to read this book. It is inspiring and should encourage everyone to cherish what we have. It illustrates what wonders we stand to lose if we do not change our ways. Biodiversity matters, in all shapes and forms and DG's farm, Chez Nauche, is an island where nature can thrive; places like this though are too few and far between. A Buzz in the Meadow provides a real insight to our natural world and a call to arms for nature-lovers everywhere.
December 17, 2017
Дейв Голсон - один із моїх найулюбленіших авторів, що пишуть про природу.
Він науковець, що досліджує комах, особливо бджіл та джмелів і займається їхньою охороною.
Одного разу Дейв вирішив зробити свій маленький заповідник і купив закинуту ферму в Франції. В книзі він одночасно розповідає про те, як він допомагав (або принаймні не заажав) відновлюватися дикому життю, а також про те, що ми знаємо про наших крихітних сусідів - зелених клопів, короїдів, джмелів і богомолів. Багато досліджень зробив сам автор, інші - його колеги.
Книга написана надзвичайно легко і цікаво, з гумором і дотепами, з чесним описом того, як відбуваються сучасні дослідження і захоплюючими розповідями про життя комах. Ми так мало знаємо про світ, який нас оточує і так шидко його руйнуємо. Такі книги як ця, одночасно захоплюють, підбадьорюють до власних спостережень і спонукають задуматися про те, що ми можемо зробити, щоб зберегти цей неймовірний світ.
п.с. Аж жаль, що ця книга закінчилась, але на щастя мене є ще одна цього ж автора на поличці, непрочитана :)
Він науковець, що досліджує комах, особливо бджіл та джмелів і займається їхньою охороною.
Одного разу Дейв вирішив зробити свій маленький заповідник і купив закинуту ферму в Франції. В книзі він одночасно розповідає про те, як він допомагав (або принаймні не заажав) відновлюватися дикому життю, а також про те, що ми знаємо про наших крихітних сусідів - зелених клопів, короїдів, джмелів і богомолів. Багато досліджень зробив сам автор, інші - його колеги.
Книга написана надзвичайно легко і цікаво, з гумором і дотепами, з чесним описом того, як відбуваються сучасні дослідження і захоплюючими розповідями про життя комах. Ми так мало знаємо про світ, який нас оточує і так шидко його руйнуємо. Такі книги як ця, одночасно захоплюють, підбадьорюють до власних спостережень і спонукають задуматися про те, що ми можемо зробити, щоб зберегти цей неймовірний світ.
п.с. Аж жаль, що ця книга закінчилась, але на щастя мене є ще одна цього ж автора на поличці, непрочитана :)
September 30, 2020
This book is a delight from beginning to end. The catalyst for writing it is his home in the Charente, bought so he could provide home, in the form of an extensive meadow, to a huge variety of wildlife, specifically insects. This is no Aga saga of a Brit in France, but a mixture of reminiscence, hard scientific fact, vivid stories of his own experiments and research, and the work of others. It's a page turner and a tale well told with humour, and an eye for the telling detail. I'm no scientist, but I was absorbed from start to finish.
His concluding message is a serious one: through ignorance, through folly, the human race risks destroying natural systems and eroding biodiversity.... and thereby itself. This is the really important message. But the other is that the world of insects and other small 'bugs' is entrancing and intriguing. Notice what we have beneath our feet and at the bottom of the garden!
His concluding message is a serious one: through ignorance, through folly, the human race risks destroying natural systems and eroding biodiversity.... and thereby itself. This is the really important message. But the other is that the world of insects and other small 'bugs' is entrancing and intriguing. Notice what we have beneath our feet and at the bottom of the garden!
October 7, 2016
I loved Goulson's first book, A Sting in the Tail, which was about bees. I had a harder time with this second book. It's sort of about his efforts to create a wildflower-rich meadow at his French farmhouse, with observations about biodiversity and a call to action about preserving it. That's great, but it was a very musing-y, diffuse kind of book with lots of lengthy asides. I enjoy that style when I find the asides interesting, but here I had a hard time focusing. Also, insect sex squicks me out (while plant sex bores me). I was happy to learn more about biodiversity and the threats to it, including neonics.
March 16, 2015
A delightful miscellany, more a chatty memoir of the ten acres of land bought in France by the author, with added insects and other wildlife thrown in than a traditional wildfe book, every page contains an erudite gem. I learnt a lt about insect reproduction (I am eminently grateful I am not a female brown meadow butterfly) and life. As a billogist, references to field study took me back to my student years and tinted certain pages with a roseate glow. Fascinating and readable. A must for any naturalist.
September 1, 2017
Loved this book! I thought it was going to be a book about gardening in France. It was not. I didn't think I was in the mood to read a book about bugs but I guess I was. Very nice nature writing. The last section was powerful and inspiring and before the book I was buying 75% of my food as organic, now I am committed to 100% organic diet. Highly recommended for gardeners, nature lovers and non-fiction science readers.
June 12, 2016
Geweldig intrigerende verhalen over de natuur, verteld aan de hand van Goulson's 'verwilderde' boerderij in Frankrijk: bloemen, de mens, dieren en vooral insecten met hier en daar uitstapjes naar interessante onderzoeken uit de wetenschap en Goulson's eigen (wetenschappelijke) carriere, die samen toch een verrassend samenhangend verhaal vormen.
March 25, 2020
I liked the topic and message but it began to drag
January 3, 2016
Decent read but nothing new for an entomologist.
April 4, 2020
A wonder to read; this book is detailed in its description, yet deliciously compact (packs a punch) in its explanations.
My one snippet of advice to give for you to get the most out of this book is this: have a search engine at the ready. When Goulson mentions the common/scientific names of various species he and/or others have observed or studied, pop the name into Google and you'll see photos of what they saw.
You're effectively going on a personalised safari through Chez Nauche (Goulson's wildflower meadow in rural France) at different times of day and points in time, back to England to catch some glimpses of what originally inspired Goulson's interest in animals and ecology from an early age - and beyond, then finally towards the end of the book you'll settle down around a campfire to hear the history of human colonisation and what it has generally meant for plants, other animals, and soil productivity over thousands of years.
You will learn a lot, laugh a lot, and hopefully adopt a greater appreciation for all life on earth. Their countless interactions with each other and the environment are paramount for our continued survival as a species after all. This book serves as a much-needed wake up call.
My one snippet of advice to give for you to get the most out of this book is this: have a search engine at the ready. When Goulson mentions the common/scientific names of various species he and/or others have observed or studied, pop the name into Google and you'll see photos of what they saw.
You're effectively going on a personalised safari through Chez Nauche (Goulson's wildflower meadow in rural France) at different times of day and points in time, back to England to catch some glimpses of what originally inspired Goulson's interest in animals and ecology from an early age - and beyond, then finally towards the end of the book you'll settle down around a campfire to hear the history of human colonisation and what it has generally meant for plants, other animals, and soil productivity over thousands of years.
You will learn a lot, laugh a lot, and hopefully adopt a greater appreciation for all life on earth. Their countless interactions with each other and the environment are paramount for our continued survival as a species after all. This book serves as a much-needed wake up call.
February 28, 2021
4 stars, it's good, definitely. I think it doesn't matter are you a biologist or simply want to read something about nature. It's written in easy and welcoming way, just keep your phone close by to google all the insects and plants author is talking about. The first part of book feels like warm summer day with bees buzzing and butterflies flying around meadow full of flowers. There are endless adventures in human and insect world. The second part, which is inevitable in any book that talks about biodiversity, brings back the reality of habitat destruction, insect extinction and the role of people, money and business interests. He talks about the example of Easter Island, which is a very hard reminder of what happens with civilization, when resources run out.
Anyway, the book is good, I'm happy that I read it.
Anyway, the book is good, I'm happy that I read it.
April 11, 2024
This is my second Goulson book. I am reading them a little out of order but I am loving each one. The book is essentially divided into three parts: Goulson's efforts to start a nature reserve in the south of France, Goulson's studies of pesticides and the harmful effects of neonics, and the bleak future.
The book is engaging, entertaining and thought provoking. It welcomes you into a world of interconnected ecology and behaviour going on right under our noses with the insects being the star players. I would recommend this book, and any of Dave Goulson's books, to anyone with an interest in nature and conservation.
I really hope this and many other books along this theme can have an impact on government and policy makers.
The book is engaging, entertaining and thought provoking. It welcomes you into a world of interconnected ecology and behaviour going on right under our noses with the insects being the star players. I would recommend this book, and any of Dave Goulson's books, to anyone with an interest in nature and conservation.
I really hope this and many other books along this theme can have an impact on government and policy makers.
February 22, 2020
Ein wahrer Naturliebhaber gibt einen bemerkenswert vielseitigen Einblick in die wundersame Welt die sich unter unserem alltäglichen Radar abspielt der sich aus Forschung, Neugier und einem leicht humoristischen Ansatz ergibt.
Eine Exhibition, die als Grundlage für eine starke, sowohl wissenschaftlich sehr fundierte, als auch Lebensphilosophisch geprägte Argumentation für den Artenschutz dient.
Ein kleines Dankeschön an Biologie und Biodiversität.
Eine Exhibition, die als Grundlage für eine starke, sowohl wissenschaftlich sehr fundierte, als auch Lebensphilosophisch geprägte Argumentation für den Artenschutz dient.
Ein kleines Dankeschön an Biologie und Biodiversität.
May 8, 2025
"Go outside, look, and listen. The wack-wack bird is calling. For how much longer will we hear its lonesome cry?"
I read A Sting In The Tale a few years back and loved it, and Dave Goulson's next book did not disappoint. He's easily becoming one of my favourite science communicators, shining a much-needed light on some of our smallest, but most neglected, species.
Fascinating, informative, and a sobering reminder of how we need to be doing more as stewards of the planet.
I read A Sting In The Tale a few years back and loved it, and Dave Goulson's next book did not disappoint. He's easily becoming one of my favourite science communicators, shining a much-needed light on some of our smallest, but most neglected, species.
Fascinating, informative, and a sobering reminder of how we need to be doing more as stewards of the planet.
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