The author of Feathers and Eggshells is a teenager with a passion for wild birds. Here Natalie Lawrence takes us on an extended tour of her favourite bird watching area – Hampstead Heath in London – a suburban haven for wildlife, comprising different habitats for birds. From the mating dance of the Great Crested Grebe, to the delicacy of the Treecreeper's beak, she reveals the beauty and diversity of the local bird life, using drawings and photographs, prose and poetry.
Feathers and Eggshells will appeal to all who can relate to a childhood passion and especially those who love birds in a natural setting.
- About the author
- Foreword
- Introduction
- Map of Hampstead Heath
- Bird anatomy
- Water birds
- Song birds
- Tree dwellers
- Birds of prey and carrion feeders
- Migratory birds
- Kate Springett award
- Glossary
- Bibliography
Natalie Lawrence first became interested in the natural world in early childhood. As well as natural history, she also greatly enjoys creative writing, photography and art, and finds that most of her inspiration is drawn from nature. She wrote a first draft of this book as a project on the Birds of Hampstead Heath at the age of 14, which won her the Kate Springett Prize. She lives in West Hampstead, North-West London, with her parents, younger sister and four cats.
"[...] This book sees Natalie's skills blossoming. It reveals a strong artistic streak that enables her to depict in illustrations, photographs and poetry what she sees with imagination and clarity. Most of all, it is a love affair with the place and the wildlife that have enchanted her since she was a child. I hope you too will be inspired by the heartfelt passion of Feathers and Eggshells."
- Derek Niemann, RSPB youth editor