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Cottongrass Summer
A collection of vibrant essays to inform, stimulate and inspire every nature lover.
Through unparallelled expertise as a field naturalist, Roy Dennis is able to write about the natural world in a way that considers both the problems and the progress in ecology and conservation. Beginning with cottongrass, whose snow-white blooms blow gently in the wind across the wetter moors and bogs, this is a year-round trove of insight and knowledge for anyone who cares about the natural world – from birdsong and biodiversity to sphagnum and species reintroduction.
Written by one of our most prominent advocates for rewilding, the essays have a clear message: “Never give up on trying to conserve and restore wildlife and the wild places you cherish. It’s essential to try and to succeed. And remember, it’s never ‘if’, but ‘when’ – and with climate chaos closing in, the time is now.”
Through unparallelled expertise as a field naturalist, Roy Dennis is able to write about the natural world in a way that considers both the problems and the progress in ecology and conservation. Beginning with cottongrass, whose snow-white blooms blow gently in the wind across the wetter moors and bogs, this is a year-round trove of insight and knowledge for anyone who cares about the natural world – from birdsong and biodiversity to sphagnum and species reintroduction.
Written by one of our most prominent advocates for rewilding, the essays have a clear message: “Never give up on trying to conserve and restore wildlife and the wild places you cherish. It’s essential to try and to succeed. And remember, it’s never ‘if’, but ‘when’ – and with climate chaos closing in, the time is now.”
166 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2020
About the author
Roy Dennis
17 books12 followersRoy Dennis (b. 1940) is an English field naturalist. He has worked in conservation, rare species recording and species reintroductions, as well as directing projects fro the RSPB and other organisations. As a broadcaster and educator, he has made documentaries and been a regular presenter on the BBC's Autumnwatch and Springwatch, as well as other programmes.
After school he spent time at bird observatories on the islands of Lundy and Fair Isle where he met and worked with ornithologist George Waterston, who attempted to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle to Britain in the 1960s.
Dennis has worked in the Highlands and islands of Scotland since 1959, and has been involved in reintroducing white-tailed eagles, red kites and beavers there. He ran projects re-establishing the goldeneye as a breeding species and restoring the osprey population in Strathspey, where he worked as the RSPB's Highland officer, and oversaw the management of nature reserves including Loch Garten. He also undertook research on grey seals on North Rona with John Morton Boyd. In the 1960s, he organised the collection of peregrine falcon chicks from nests in the Highlands as a contribution to the re-establishment of the species in eastern Germany.
In 1990, Dennis left the RSPB to start his own wildlife consultancy and pursue his interest in species reintroductions. Between 2000 and 2017 he was involved in projects to extend the range of the red squirrel in the Highlands. The Highland Foundation for Wildlife was renamed the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in 2017.
Dennis received an MBE in 1992 for services to nature conservation and an OBE in 2024 for services to wildlife.
After school he spent time at bird observatories on the islands of Lundy and Fair Isle where he met and worked with ornithologist George Waterston, who attempted to reintroduce the white-tailed eagle to Britain in the 1960s.
Dennis has worked in the Highlands and islands of Scotland since 1959, and has been involved in reintroducing white-tailed eagles, red kites and beavers there. He ran projects re-establishing the goldeneye as a breeding species and restoring the osprey population in Strathspey, where he worked as the RSPB's Highland officer, and oversaw the management of nature reserves including Loch Garten. He also undertook research on grey seals on North Rona with John Morton Boyd. In the 1960s, he organised the collection of peregrine falcon chicks from nests in the Highlands as a contribution to the re-establishment of the species in eastern Germany.
In 1990, Dennis left the RSPB to start his own wildlife consultancy and pursue his interest in species reintroductions. Between 2000 and 2017 he was involved in projects to extend the range of the red squirrel in the Highlands. The Highland Foundation for Wildlife was renamed the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in 2017.
Dennis received an MBE in 1992 for services to nature conservation and an OBE in 2024 for services to wildlife.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 15, 2025
I highly recommend this book to anyone who even has a passing interest in conservation. it's less of a fact book and more of a love letter about his decades in conservation. Great read.
July 24, 2020
Roy Dennis has been working in conservation since 1959. In his time he has been the RSPB senior office in Scotland, Chairman of the Bird Observatory and is now President of the Trust. He has extensive knowledge of seabirds, migration and Scottish island wildlife. He is a specialist in raptor conservation and has been involved in many re-introductions and research into these magnificent birds. He has been a passionate exponent for the reintroduction of mammals such as lynx and beaver back to Scotland.
He begins with cottongrass, that plant whose snow-white blooms sway softly in the wind and in the right light can glow in the fields. But they are an indicator of the health of the landscape, seeing them means that the deer are not overgrazing and a balance is being restored. In these fifty-two essays, loosely split into the seasons, are on subjects as varied as storks and bearded vultures, downpours and stoats. There is a theme that runs all through them though, and that is his passion for rewilding and bringing back those complex interdependent links between predator and prey.
Dennis goes through all his emotions about the state of wildlife in Scotland in particular and the and the world in general in this well-written book. There is genuine anger in here about the state of conservation bodies in this country and the lack of urgency to try and reset the way of life that in the long run, will benefit us all. He has long been active in all sorts of programmes to help with this, for example playing a significant role in the osprey, red kite, golden eagle and sea eagle introduction programmes. He re-iterates several times that 50% of the planet needs to be returned to a natural state for them and us to stand a chance of survival. Essential reading for those with an interest in restoring our landscapes to some of their former glory.
He begins with cottongrass, that plant whose snow-white blooms sway softly in the wind and in the right light can glow in the fields. But they are an indicator of the health of the landscape, seeing them means that the deer are not overgrazing and a balance is being restored. In these fifty-two essays, loosely split into the seasons, are on subjects as varied as storks and bearded vultures, downpours and stoats. There is a theme that runs all through them though, and that is his passion for rewilding and bringing back those complex interdependent links between predator and prey.
Dennis goes through all his emotions about the state of wildlife in Scotland in particular and the and the world in general in this well-written book. There is genuine anger in here about the state of conservation bodies in this country and the lack of urgency to try and reset the way of life that in the long run, will benefit us all. He has long been active in all sorts of programmes to help with this, for example playing a significant role in the osprey, red kite, golden eagle and sea eagle introduction programmes. He re-iterates several times that 50% of the planet needs to be returned to a natural state for them and us to stand a chance of survival. Essential reading for those with an interest in restoring our landscapes to some of their former glory.
July 28, 2020
Roy Dennis has been at the forefront of progressive conservation in Scotland for over 60 years. During that time he has helped protect Ospreys, re-introduce Red Kites, translocate Red Squirrels to their former range and much, much more. Having had the pleasure of working with Roy, his natural enthusiasm and huge knowledge base is refreshing. This book manages to capture that spirit. It's a reflection on past projects but also a plea for the future. Roy is a pragmatist and likes to just do things, backed with his experience and knowledge we could all learn a thing or two about just getting out there and getting on with it.
Some essays are political but others are poetical. Roy takes us to remote places, shows us new and fascinating features of nature and tackles some of the big and controversial issues facing the environmental movement today.
But most importantly it's a great read, I raced through it and at the end felt inspired. How many books can you say that about.
Some essays are political but others are poetical. Roy takes us to remote places, shows us new and fascinating features of nature and tackles some of the big and controversial issues facing the environmental movement today.
But most importantly it's a great read, I raced through it and at the end felt inspired. How many books can you say that about.
October 6, 2022
A worthy offering from Roy Dennis about all manner of nature, conservation, rewilding, raptor protection etc.
What is evident from all this writing is the pushback and influence of large landowners, particularly those owning grouse moors, and their constant ability to get round government, environment agencies, wildlife charities. There is no hope if these fuckers can continue to get their own way. It's fuck everything else so long as these bred, pampered birds are looked after.
The writing is passionate but tends to be a little repetitive purely because of the nature of what Dennis is writing about. Still worth a read though.
What is evident from all this writing is the pushback and influence of large landowners, particularly those owning grouse moors, and their constant ability to get round government, environment agencies, wildlife charities. There is no hope if these fuckers can continue to get their own way. It's fuck everything else so long as these bred, pampered birds are looked after.
The writing is passionate but tends to be a little repetitive purely because of the nature of what Dennis is writing about. Still worth a read though.
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February 23, 2021Roy Dennis! What an icon, even to those of us who merely dip our toes in reading about conservation. And here he is with a delightful slim but not too slim volume of short essays which come at the topic from many different angles, not always comfortable but all thought provoking. The essays are too short to present a full and evidenced argument in some instances, you'd have to check that out elsewhere.
There is plenty here about re-introducing top predators and many other topics which are increasingly familiar and debated. I took from the book lots of other little details too... dynasties of working in nature conservation since it is clear that his children are involved in this work across the world; the way 'here' and 'we' so often mean Scotland; the impact of increasing age on his access to nature (in particular the loss of ability to hear certain species.
There is plenty here about re-introducing top predators and many other topics which are increasingly familiar and debated. I took from the book lots of other little details too... dynasties of working in nature conservation since it is clear that his children are involved in this work across the world; the way 'here' and 'we' so often mean Scotland; the impact of increasing age on his access to nature (in particular the loss of ability to hear certain species.
September 15, 2020
Very readable and the short "chapter" format makes it incredibly moreish. The author is a recognised authority and imparts his wisdom with subtle and gentle force. The idea of rewilding and reintroduction wends through the book and the author's direct firsthand experience working with ospreys, red kites, red squirrels and other native species show how much good can be accomplished by dedicated naturalists if the political will is there.
July 21, 2020
Short, but sweet. Roy Dennis has had an incredible career and he obviously has an enormous amount of practical knowledge and wisdom. My only gripe is that this book is too short, I would have loved if he had expanded on some of his (excellent) points.
June 11, 2021
A must read for anyone interested in the future of Scotland's nature
June 1, 2023
A thought-provoking collection of short and very readable essays on natural history, rewilding, land use and management, and biodiversity in the UK.
October 2, 2023
a very important book about the conservation of British ecosystems from a writer with a lifetime of experience
December 31, 2020
A collection of short articles and letters about the natural world - particularly Scotland. I found the whole thing a bit depressing. His view of Scotland is that the countryside is overgrazed, over populated with sheep and deer, the moors are overburned for the benefit of chemically treated grouse that the privileged rich blast out of the sky for fun. This is probably all true. He thinks that the current (mis)management of the land should be handed over to people like him who would know how to manage it much better (ha!), preferably by the reintroduction of exterminated species like wolves, bears and other apex predators. Oh really!
As for his his writing .... meh!
As for his his writing .... meh!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews