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Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm into an Ark for Lost Species
Birds, Beasts and Bedlam recounts the adventures of farmer-turned-rewilder Derek Gow, who is saving Britain's much-loved but dangerously threatened species, from the water vole to beaver, wildcat to white stork, and tree frog to glow worm. Derek tells us all about the realities of how he reared delicate roe deer and a sofa-loving wild boar piglet, moved a raging bison bull across the country, got bitten by a Scottish wildcat, returned honking skeins of graylag geese to the land and water that was once theirs, and restored the white stork to the Knepp Estate with Charlie Burrell and Isabella Tree. Derek's first book, Bringing Back the Beaver, was a riotously funny and subversive account of his single-handed reintroduction of the beaver in Britain. Birds, Beasts and Bedlam, a natural successor to Gerald Durrell's A Zoo in My Luggage, tells the story of Derek's rewilding journey and his work to save many more species by transforming his Devon farm into a wildlife breeding center. He now houses beavers, white storks, water voles, lynx, wildcats, and harvest mice, with the aim of releasing them into the wild one day. Tearing down fences literally and metaphorically, Derek Gow is the one person with the character and strength of will to defy authority, bend the rules, and save our wildlife.
195 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2022
12 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
Derek Gow
7 books21 followersDerek Gow (b. 1965) is a UK-based reintroduction expert, farmer and author known for his work with watervoles, white storks, wildcats, and Eurasian beavers.
He also imported the first Heck cattle to the UK. However, after aggressive behaviour could harm or even kill handlers, a significant proportion of the herd was culled.
Born in Dundee, he left school when he was 17 and worked in agriculture for five years. Inspired by the writing of [sauthor:Gerald Durrell], he jumped at the chance to manage a European wildlife park in central Scotland in the late 1990s before moving on to develop two nature centres in England. Gow owns a 300 acre farm in Lifton, Devon, which is home to captive breeding facilities, accommodation and a working farm. Much of the land is under the process of rewilding, like the Knepp Estate. The farm is home to many species, including Eurasian lynx, wild boar, beavers, white storks, black storks, common tree frogs, and harvest mice.
He also imported the first Heck cattle to the UK. However, after aggressive behaviour could harm or even kill handlers, a significant proportion of the herd was culled.
Born in Dundee, he left school when he was 17 and worked in agriculture for five years. Inspired by the writing of [sauthor:Gerald Durrell], he jumped at the chance to manage a European wildlife park in central Scotland in the late 1990s before moving on to develop two nature centres in England. Gow owns a 300 acre farm in Lifton, Devon, which is home to captive breeding facilities, accommodation and a working farm. Much of the land is under the process of rewilding, like the Knepp Estate. The farm is home to many species, including Eurasian lynx, wild boar, beavers, white storks, black storks, common tree frogs, and harvest mice.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 11, 2024
What a mixed bag!
First, the (very) good: Gow's eloquent descriptions of landscape and of animal and plant life regenerating landscape. Though he's writing about British places, I was reminded of my childhood wanderings in the wooded places still remaining in northern New Jersey 60 years ago, and of the bird and insect life I took for granted then. So much of it is lost now, and my small attempts to make my dining-room-sized backyard hospitable to pollinators arise from the same impulse that makes Gow such a force in rewilding.
I mentioned this book to a friend, whose immediate response was "Is rewilding just something the British nobility do to show off their ancestral lands?" No, I said, and I wasn't wrong: indigenous-led rewilding is a thing, for example.
And yet, for someone dedicated to, literally, a world-saving cause, Gow is sometimes mind-bogglingly unreflective. I'll quote in full his description of a man named Mike Lockyer from whom he obtains European bison:
Perhaps it's inevitable that someone whose life is entirely focused on the outer world would be unreflective; I noticed, too, that nothing that went wrong with any of Gow's projects seemed to be his fault.
And yet, and yet.
I have to forgive a lot, for the sake of passages like those. Thanks to Chelsea Green and NetGalley for the ARC.
First, the (very) good: Gow's eloquent descriptions of landscape and of animal and plant life regenerating landscape. Though he's writing about British places, I was reminded of my childhood wanderings in the wooded places still remaining in northern New Jersey 60 years ago, and of the bird and insect life I took for granted then. So much of it is lost now, and my small attempts to make my dining-room-sized backyard hospitable to pollinators arise from the same impulse that makes Gow such a force in rewilding.
I mentioned this book to a friend, whose immediate response was "Is rewilding just something the British nobility do to show off their ancestral lands?" No, I said, and I wasn't wrong: indigenous-led rewilding is a thing, for example.
And yet, for someone dedicated to, literally, a world-saving cause, Gow is sometimes mind-bogglingly unreflective. I'll quote in full his description of a man named Mike Lockyer from whom he obtains European bison:
both physically and metaphorically a huge character with a vast waxed beard and moustache flowing out in fine Raleighian form. At the helm of an Elizabethan man-o’-war wielding a cutlass he would not have been out of place. Mike had caught herds of animals in Africa for the Chipperfields when their circus and safari park empire was at its zenith by jumping out of bouncing Land Rovers to grab and then bind them with ropes. He had supplied dart guns for Idi Amin’s personal firearms collection, bribed the widows of the Africans who died catching buffalo bulls with cornflakes to keep them silent, and generally seduced and caroused his way around the continent in a manner that would have left Sir Walter green with envy.This cheery colonialism, this disregard for human and animal pain, this vileness is presented as if it were merely colorful. As if it had no moral implications. As though it weren't emblematic of the kind of "conservationism" that treats Native peoples and people of color as obstacles to a whites-only (and, by the way, male-only) enterprise.
Perhaps it's inevitable that someone whose life is entirely focused on the outer world would be unreflective; I noticed, too, that nothing that went wrong with any of Gow's projects seemed to be his fault.
And yet, and yet.
We know little about the history of the small creatures that once lived alongside us because they were tiny and have left scant evidence of their being, and because for a very long time, we cared nothing much at all for wildlife unless it was big enough to hunt for fun or annoyed us by killing sheep.
...
The wildcat did not only inhabit forests and these environments were not only solid stands of trees. There were the cleft rock faces of sea cliffs smashed by ice and rain with sun-kissed ledges under tight crannies where their kittens could bask. Full of rock doves and jackdaws and mice, where their old friend the rabbit to this day still mows. They were tall grass fields where voles scurried under and over ground through a jungle of fine flowering herbs. They were marshes where they could lie languid on branches overhanging in the dark of a day’s end, pools of warm water in a leisurely attempt to scoop unwary green frogs up and into their jaws. Great hollow trees standing ancient, spinneys of strong briar and gorse, heathlands with blowing bog cotton were once all their home.
I have to forgive a lot, for the sake of passages like those. Thanks to Chelsea Green and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 8, 2024
I found this book to be somewhat interesting. The author's passion is unquestionable, you can really get a sense of who he is. The information presented is interesting. It's the writing that I had a problem with. Rather wandering, somewhat chaotic. It really takes away from the experience.
November 17, 2025
Cow parts were hard to get through preferred the last chapters (water voles, wild cats, storks)
July 10, 2022
Rewilding is a popular and increasingly politically heated topic. It is a theme punted around by Wildlife Trusts, NGOs, charities, politicians and many more, often cautiously and reserved for key species in special programmes that, ultimately, will never really achieve the goal of rewilding - to actually be free, wild, and contributing to our biodiversity.
It is therefore with some relief that Birds, Beasts and Bedlam by Derek Now is written with a direct, no-nonsense, what-we-need-to-do approach.
First off, I really want to commend the writing. It is almost poetic, with rhythm, charm, pace, and the ability to prod your thoughts that good art can. It captivated me and had me harbouring joy, concern, anger and bewilderment. It also brought home the problems faced, how they could potentially be solved, and how politics is hampering those efforts nine times out of ten. But it wasn't without hope. It simply suggested a more guerrilla-style approach was producing better results.
The flip side of this coin is, Gow's farming background and credentials make themselves known in his sometimes simplified take. He is flippant about processes and assessments, which, although certainly could be made simpler and easier, could prevent the biological disasters of introducing the wrong species to the wrong ecosystem. Common sense should of course prevail, such as when looking to release glow worms - but sometimes, the rules are there to help rather than hinder.
However, I completely agree with the vast majority of Gow's views and found them a breath of fresh air. I will look for every opportunity to bring a touch of the wild to wherever I can from now on.
It is therefore with some relief that Birds, Beasts and Bedlam by Derek Now is written with a direct, no-nonsense, what-we-need-to-do approach.
First off, I really want to commend the writing. It is almost poetic, with rhythm, charm, pace, and the ability to prod your thoughts that good art can. It captivated me and had me harbouring joy, concern, anger and bewilderment. It also brought home the problems faced, how they could potentially be solved, and how politics is hampering those efforts nine times out of ten. But it wasn't without hope. It simply suggested a more guerrilla-style approach was producing better results.
The flip side of this coin is, Gow's farming background and credentials make themselves known in his sometimes simplified take. He is flippant about processes and assessments, which, although certainly could be made simpler and easier, could prevent the biological disasters of introducing the wrong species to the wrong ecosystem. Common sense should of course prevail, such as when looking to release glow worms - but sometimes, the rules are there to help rather than hinder.
However, I completely agree with the vast majority of Gow's views and found them a breath of fresh air. I will look for every opportunity to bring a touch of the wild to wherever I can from now on.
July 31, 2025
3.5 stars. Interesting and I really enjoyed the more detailed firsthand animal stories. The hiccupping trailer HA! Also, the way he described any human had me cracking up ie "Its owner Malcom Moy, was a flamboyant character. A big man in the small world of ornamental duck keepers." I felt immersed in a small UK village when he spoke of his growing up, and I am inspired to learn more about small native creatures in my own part of the world (bought this book on a trip to Scotland). Interesting to think about what makes an animal "native". How long it has to live there and how much evidence has to exist. Didn't realize this was an area of debate. Also appreciated Gow's illustrations.
On the critical side: The writing style was a bit rambling, and it there was little flow between chapters. A timeline chart in the back of the book would have been appreciated to keep track of where Gow was when, and who he was working for. It would have been nice for a bit more insight into how he felt about the animals and more "why" to what he was doing.
Not a critique per se but my eyebrows did rise a few times at the absolute tea and name drops over what and how specific people handled things. He was not afraid to say how he felt about government regulations or other people's actions. The bluntness regarding animal excrement (spoken of without finesse) and death surprised me but makes sense given the down-to-earth man who authored the story.
Overall, I was entertained and enjoyed learning about new animals and the hardships of making a living rewilding. Wish it had been told in a more linear fashion date wise with a few more self-reflective insights.
On the critical side: The writing style was a bit rambling, and it there was little flow between chapters. A timeline chart in the back of the book would have been appreciated to keep track of where Gow was when, and who he was working for. It would have been nice for a bit more insight into how he felt about the animals and more "why" to what he was doing.
Not a critique per se but my eyebrows did rise a few times at the absolute tea and name drops over what and how specific people handled things. He was not afraid to say how he felt about government regulations or other people's actions. The bluntness regarding animal excrement (spoken of without finesse) and death surprised me but makes sense given the down-to-earth man who authored the story.
Overall, I was entertained and enjoyed learning about new animals and the hardships of making a living rewilding. Wish it had been told in a more linear fashion date wise with a few more self-reflective insights.
November 10, 2025
Birds, Beasts and Bedlam by Derek Gow is a non-fiction book about wildlife, farming, and the challenges of conservation in modern Britain. This book was chosen as our book club read, and I was genuinely looking forward to it—especially as Gow’s farm is not far from where I live.
However, I found myself a little unsure about what the overall purpose of the book was meant to be. I didn’t come away feeling that I’d learned much about conservation or the specific projects Gow is involved in. At times, the writing felt more like a series of personal frustrations and reflections rather than a structured narrative, and I found the tone occasionally veered towards ranting about the challenges he’s faced with authorities.
That said, there were some positives. The illustrations are absolutely lovely and add real charm to the pages. I also appreciated the insight into the daily realities and difficulties of farming life—something that often gets overlooked in discussions about rewilding and conservation. Gow’s passion for wildlife is undeniable, and there are moments where his enthusiasm and knowledge shine through.
Overall, Birds, Beasts and Bedlam wasn’t quite the book for me, but I can see how readers who enjoy candid, unfiltered perspectives on conservation might find it engaging. It’s a raw, honest glimpse into the world of one man trying to make a difference, even if the storytelling didn’t always capture my attention.
However, I found myself a little unsure about what the overall purpose of the book was meant to be. I didn’t come away feeling that I’d learned much about conservation or the specific projects Gow is involved in. At times, the writing felt more like a series of personal frustrations and reflections rather than a structured narrative, and I found the tone occasionally veered towards ranting about the challenges he’s faced with authorities.
That said, there were some positives. The illustrations are absolutely lovely and add real charm to the pages. I also appreciated the insight into the daily realities and difficulties of farming life—something that often gets overlooked in discussions about rewilding and conservation. Gow’s passion for wildlife is undeniable, and there are moments where his enthusiasm and knowledge shine through.
Overall, Birds, Beasts and Bedlam wasn’t quite the book for me, but I can see how readers who enjoy candid, unfiltered perspectives on conservation might find it engaging. It’s a raw, honest glimpse into the world of one man trying to make a difference, even if the storytelling didn’t always capture my attention.
February 23, 2024
A generally enjoyable account of how Derek got into caring for animals, first in a farm setting and later through conservation and rewilding. Though the narrative isn't as focused, nor the anecdotes as entertaining as in Bringing Back the Beaver, he writes with the same blunt candour; there are no sacred cows in Derek's world, and that's fair enough.
Overall, it feels like a bit of a cash-in on the success of his first book, and only becomes a more impassioned clarion call to action in the final chapter and epilogue, where he urges conservationists to cease with the endless meetings, measuring and mapping, and just focus on restoring wildlife - giving it the space to breathe, breed and return in numbers and diversity. From landscapes to lifescapes; we have the solutions to nature's decline, now we must implement them, quickly and on a much larger, joined-up scale. It's a simple, powerful message at the end of an interesting book, delivered by a one-man rewilding machine who is equal parts inspiring and provocative. Go Derek!
Overall, it feels like a bit of a cash-in on the success of his first book, and only becomes a more impassioned clarion call to action in the final chapter and epilogue, where he urges conservationists to cease with the endless meetings, measuring and mapping, and just focus on restoring wildlife - giving it the space to breathe, breed and return in numbers and diversity. From landscapes to lifescapes; we have the solutions to nature's decline, now we must implement them, quickly and on a much larger, joined-up scale. It's a simple, powerful message at the end of an interesting book, delivered by a one-man rewilding machine who is equal parts inspiring and provocative. Go Derek!
October 14, 2024
This was such an fabulous read! The author has a really engaging way of writing with humour, and his passion comes through and it's fascinating to read about the wonderful work he's doing for wildlife.
He talks through his love of animals from a very young age, and they've always been part of his life so he's just carrying on with what he knows. I love how he shares who inspired him along the way and the jobs that he undertook to indulge his passion for animals and wildlife.
And now he's able to help animals on his own farm so he shares his journey, the highs and the lows and I'm sure many would have given up with the amount of red tape, rules and regulations but he has a really optimistic manner so he keeps fighting for what he needs for the animals he's helping.
he's one of those people that we need more of in the world, and this book is a wonderful little window into his world and I hope he carries on the great work that he does!
He talks through his love of animals from a very young age, and they've always been part of his life so he's just carrying on with what he knows. I love how he shares who inspired him along the way and the jobs that he undertook to indulge his passion for animals and wildlife.
And now he's able to help animals on his own farm so he shares his journey, the highs and the lows and I'm sure many would have given up with the amount of red tape, rules and regulations but he has a really optimistic manner so he keeps fighting for what he needs for the animals he's helping.
he's one of those people that we need more of in the world, and this book is a wonderful little window into his world and I hope he carries on the great work that he does!
July 14, 2024
What a delightful and impressive read. Derek's enthusiasm for rewilding, alongside the difficulties he face, are truly spectacular. His frustrations with bringing environment back to life and trying to work the land is tangible, but his advocacy carries weight and shows results.
Late, Derek talks about meeting an elderly woman who saw beavers in her area. Her joy is palpable. Her sense of delight - that these creatures she once saw as a youngster have come into her orbit once again, like they always should have - is life giving.
Just a lovely, great book, if alone for Derek's story of sexing wild cats.
Late, Derek talks about meeting an elderly woman who saw beavers in her area. Her joy is palpable. Her sense of delight - that these creatures she once saw as a youngster have come into her orbit once again, like they always should have - is life giving.
Just a lovely, great book, if alone for Derek's story of sexing wild cats.
September 4, 2024
Pg. 18: "Farmers of all ages and attires, in clothes new and old, would lounge and lean." I'm not entirely sure why this sentence stuck with me. I think it was at this point onward that I really began to appreciate the charming rhythm of the author's writing style, and from there on, it was just such a delightful read.
I admire the almost blunt, yet practical, hands-on approach to the actions we need to take. I can never read enough about rewilding, and I truly cherish this addition to my collection on the subject.
On my "re-read and annotate"-list.
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Birds, Beasts and Bedlam!
I admire the almost blunt, yet practical, hands-on approach to the actions we need to take. I can never read enough about rewilding, and I truly cherish this addition to my collection on the subject.
On my "re-read and annotate"-list.
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Birds, Beasts and Bedlam!
March 18, 2025
This could have been a really good book. Unfortunately the author is just not a writer.
The book tracks the species at risk and rewilding movements in England. It has some good moments, but the tone is a bit preachy and things that could have been really interesting just weren't relayed with the expertise needed to make the expected feels a reality.
A good history of the species at risk and rewilding movements with both its successes and failures set out, and some interesting accounts of badly spent funds by some names you will know.
The book tracks the species at risk and rewilding movements in England. It has some good moments, but the tone is a bit preachy and things that could have been really interesting just weren't relayed with the expertise needed to make the expected feels a reality.
A good history of the species at risk and rewilding movements with both its successes and failures set out, and some interesting accounts of badly spent funds by some names you will know.
April 10, 2025
The success of Bringing Back the Beaver resulted in Birds, Beasts, and Bedlam, a mix of biography and memoir. Gow’s attempts at rewilding parts of Britain are not merely professional, but personal. He has spent his entire life working with animals, even keeping his own sheep as a teenager, and in his later years he began converting a cattle farm into a rewilding experiment . This book begins as biography before transitioning to his accounts of learning about different threatened British species and his attempts to create homes for them, often being attacked by the animals in the process. One of his colleagues once had two badgers lock on to either of his arms! In addition to creating habitat for creatures like water voles and Scottish wildcats (which, confusingly, look like regular cats to me), he also introduces some Heck cattle, which grew as a breed in the 1930s as two German brothers wanted to re-create something like the wild Aurochs that once roamed Europe. Interestingly, Brexit appears to have created a more legally favorable atmosphere for rewilding than before.
August 29, 2024
Enjoyable,and entertaining read about rewilding endeavours in the UK. The author’s writing style is enjoyable, captivating and illustrates beaurocratic nightmares for initiatives that seem entirely reasonable and sensible. Recommended. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
September 23, 2024
Rated 3.75 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve had the author’s other book on my radar for a long time and couldn’t resist the opportunity to read this one. I absolutely loved reading how he created his own world of rewilding and reintroducing declining species. Well worth the read for any animal and nature lover.
I really enjoyed this book. I’ve had the author’s other book on my radar for a long time and couldn’t resist the opportunity to read this one. I absolutely loved reading how he created his own world of rewilding and reintroducing declining species. Well worth the read for any animal and nature lover.
September 10, 2024
I highly admire this man's efforts and enjoyed his story although if memory serves me correctly, there was a bit of a language barrier on my part. However, Google solved most of the problem. Kudos and keep up the good work sir.
July 15, 2022
An educational and entertaining read.
July 24, 2022
Such interesting stuff about animals, science and how the environment was designed to take care of itself. Really enjoyed.
July 15, 2023
Derek is a man of action, not words. It may not suit everyone, but action is exactly what we need right now. Highly recommended.
December 27, 2023
Our own Devon rewilder at Coomsdown Farm. The introduction of beavers particularly interesting.
March 15, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book of Gow's experiences in conservation in Britain, and I enjoyed his animal stories. It made me want to rewild my yard, but I don't think my family is up for that...
September 15, 2024
Audiobook
January 1, 2025
Captivating
May 1, 2025
A brilliant read, witty and impassioned. A swashbuckling approach to nature restoration that many will not agree with entirely, but one that will drive the process forward more than most.
September 27, 2022
Derek Gow is a raconteur of wildlife stories and his new book (whose title is an homage to Gerald Durrell's Corfu Trilogy's second volume.) is a joy to read. While the book is partially about "turning my farm into an ark for lost species" it is also a chance to sit down with a radical rewilder and learn his approach seasoned with lots of crazy animals stories. He is by turns lyrical, humorous, and fuming with frustration and rage at bureaucratic delays.
Rewinding is the only thing that's given me real hope with regard to climate change and I inhaled this book. May it be a shot in the arm to whatever you are doing to mitigate climate change to know you serve alongside clear-eyed and passionate folks like Derek Gow!
Rewinding is the only thing that's given me real hope with regard to climate change and I inhaled this book. May it be a shot in the arm to whatever you are doing to mitigate climate change to know you serve alongside clear-eyed and passionate folks like Derek Gow!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews