Grouse

Collins New Naturalist #107

by Adam Watson, Robert Moss

Grouse and their habitats are of much interest to hunters and game-dog enthusiasts, and to the many others involved in outdoor recreation. However, grouse are also of great value in their own right as a beautiful part of nature. Recent research regarding government policies has clarified old problems and controversies, which makes this new study on British grouse timely. Adam Watson and Robert Moss offer some insight into the natural history and biology of British grouse species, ranging from aspects of behavior and historical relevance of their names to population fluctuations and conservation efforts.

529 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2008

About the author

Adam Watson, FRSE, FRSB, FINA, FRMS, FCEH was a Scottish biologist, ecologist and mountaineer. He was one of the most recognisable scientific figures in Scotland due to his many appearances on TV and radio. His large academic output and contributions to the understanding of the flora and fauna in Scotland and elsewhere have been internationally recognised. Dr. Watson was widely acknowledged as Scotland's pre-eminent authority on the Cairngorms mountain range.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite much drooling over the famous New Naturalist cover artwork, this is only the second book I have actually read, the first being something of a period piece. Grouse is astonishing: it is both detailed and wide-ranging, solidly scientific but having significant, difficult and unclear (because the book is resolutely impartial) implications. Watson and Moss have also written something very readable, even to a non-expert. I was reminded again that conservation, not just sport shooting, currently involves a good deal of killing and it wasn't clear that could change. However the book shows just how much illegal killing, possibly even misguided for the criminals' purpose, is going on.

What I hope is to retain a tenth of what I have learned from this book.