A Guide to the Creatures in Your Neighbourhood

by The Urban Field Naturalist Project

Tune in to the richness and diversity in your local environment with this playful, quirky guide that's packed with interactive projects, nature writing and sketching activities.

In cities and suburbs all over Australia, a staggering array of animals and plants make their homes among us. If we pay attention, each encounter with a bird, a flower or a bee is an invitation into a fascinating world of growth, decay, communication and sensation - and it's all going on right under our noses.

Did you know crows can identify humans by their faces? Or that ibises can 'see' with the tips of their bills? Let the team from the Urban Field Naturalist Project amaze you with weird and wonderful facts about cockatoos, magpies, spiders, possums and other animals just outside your doorstep. Then get inspired to cultivate a deeper connection with tips for observing, sketching, photographing and making field notes - or simply sitting still to observe and listen.

Whether for an afternoon of exploring or a walk to the letterbox, A Guide to the Creatures in Your Neighbourhood is your ticket to slow down and get curious about urban nature. No matter where you live, you'll have a front row seat!

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Birds, Nature

272 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2022

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a joyful book, perfect for those who enjoy wildlife-watching in the same way that some enjoy people-watching; that is, with a curiosity about the thoughts, interactions, relationships, and personalities of the creatures we share our spaces with. The content itself is wonderful but the design of the book and its illustrations bring magic to each page. My only wish is that the section on 'guides for appreciating urban creatures' were longer, because I loved reading each profile! Hopefully there will be more to come.

[Riley Willcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this at the library having not heard of it before and was very excited by the title.

Very life affirming book for me as I love observing all sorts of life forms but don't love super sciencey categorisations of things. This has such a good balance of being engaging while also being written by people who are clearly very knowledgeable in sciencey ways

Now I know about the Urban Field Naturalist project and I think it is the best thing in the world !

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only got this book today and am still reading it, but I love it already! So much fascinating information about the common and under appreciated creatures living alongside us. Full of wonderful illustrations and activities, a truly inspiring resource.

[Moostie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun to read and easy to understand guide to observing and appreciating nature. I feel like I learned a lot about the animals and insects in my local area, and Im excited to observe them myself.

[Sebastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watch out, this is for Australia! Oops... :)

[Darren Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very practical book with good ideas about getting started quickly and easily in the realm of keeping tabs on what lives in your backyard.

[Melissa Stebbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! The author's joy in nature shone through. The small sections on selected urban animals were such fun ... I learned all sorts of information I never knew I wanted to about crows, snails and more. Lots of useful tips and activities for appreciating and documenting the wildlife around us in urban centres.