Overview

This is the story of lightkeepers' contributions to the natural history of lighthouses in conjunction with the history and maintenance of the manned navigation beacons. Since keepers were first engaged to maintain lighthouses around the British coast they have encountered wildlife, and in some cases developed a keen interest and expertise on the subject. Towards the end of the 19th century keepers were encouraged to submit annual returns of bird movements enabling reports on bird migration and several authoritative books to be compiled. As a result, ornithologists began to recognize how many lighthouses were well-placed to establish bird observatories. However, lightkeepers also recognized that in certain weather conditions and during migration times, flocks of birds were attracted to the beam, resulting in many fatalities. While the problem is now better understood and considerably reduced, the automation of all British lighthouses has resulted in there no longer being lighthouse keepers to monitor the situation and report bird, sea mammal, insect and bat movements. The Natural History of Lighthouses highlights the contribution made by lighthouse keepers over the last century or two to the study of natural history, and ornithology in particular. Much of this is discussed in the words of the keepers themselves, set in the context of lighthouse history. Scotland has an especially rich lighthouse tradition, mainly due to a dynasty of Stevenson engineers covering over a century, all of whom also had a profound understanding of weather and geology-and indeed natural history-so important in the placing of their lighthouses.

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9781849951548

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Reviews

'...a gem of a book, packed with interesting detail and lavish illustrations. ...the book is an excellent resource for 'dip-in' reading, with interesting detail on almost every page'. LAMP ------------------- 'It is a portfolio of the author's excellent photography both of the wildlife encountered and the beautiful lighthouses. Accompanying the illustrations is well written narrative that holds the reader's attention and provides a wealth of information. A great read'. Sea Breezes -------------------- 'A fascinating account by any comparison and it all goes to reveal a new approach to lighthouse and their keepers. This is one of the author's very best books'. Highland News, North Star and Lochaber News -------------------- 'What a fantastic book! I have always had an interest in our lighthouses but this book has moved my interest up another rung. And that is without consideration of the wildlife associated with lighthouses. ... It is certainly one I would recommend, especially to readers interested in maritime safety and bird migration'. Wildlife Detective, The Blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- 'John A Love's book is a beautifully illustrated volume that celebrates the people and the animals and birds associated with these lonely outposts of our shores'. Bridgwater Mercury

'A fascinating account by any comparison and it all goes to reveal a new approach to lighthouse and their keepers. This is one of the author's very best books'. Highland News, North Star and Lochaber News -------------------- 'What a fantastic book! I have always had an interest in our lighthouses but this book has moved my interest up another rung. And that is without consideration of the wildlife associated with lighthouses. ... It is certainly one I would recommend, especially to readers interested in maritime safety and bird migration'. Wildlife Detective, The Blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- 'John A Love's book is a beautifully illustrated volume that celebrates the people and the animals and birds associated with these lonely outposts of our shores'. Bridgwater Mercury

'John A Love's book is a beautifully illustrated volume that celebrates the people and the animals and birds associated with these lonely outposts of our shores'. Bridgwater Mercury

'...an in-depth look at lightkeepers and their contributions to the study of natural history. ...a valuable account of the role of lightkeepers in recording bird movements, and the keepers' keen interest in the wider natural world around them'. The Lightkeeper ------------------- '...a gem of a book, packed with interesting detail and lavish illustrations. ...the book is an excellent resource for 'dip-in' reading, with interesting detail on almost every page'. LAMP ------------------- 'It is a portfolio of the author's excellent photography both of the wildlife encountered and the beautiful lighthouses. Accompanying the illustrations is well written narrative that holds the reader's attention and provides a wealth of information. A great read'. Sea Breezes -------------------- 'A fascinating account by any comparison and it all goes to reveal a new approach to lighthouse and their keepers. This is one of the author's very best books'. Highland News, North Star and Lochaber News -------------------- 'What a fantastic book! I have always had an interest in our lighthouses but this book has moved my interest up another rung. And that is without consideration of the wildlife associated with lighthouses. ... It is certainly one I would recommend, especially to readers interested in maritime safety and bird migration'. Wildlife Detective, The Blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- 'John A Love's book is a beautifully illustrated volume that celebrates the people and the animals and birds associated with these lonely outposts of our shores'. Bridgwater Mercury

'What a fantastic book! I have always had an interest in our lighthouses but this book has moved my interest up another rung. And that is without consideration of the wildlife associated with lighthouses. ... It is certainly one I would recommend, especially to readers interested in maritime safety and bird migration'. Wildlife Detective, The Blog of Alan Stewart -------------------- 'John A Love's book is a beautifully illustrated volume that celebrates the people and the animals and birds associated with these lonely outposts of our shores'. Bridgwater Mercury

Author Information

John A. Love is a writer, illustrator and lecturer. He was appointed Manager of the Sea Eagle Reintroduction Project based on the Isle of Rum, Scotland, 1975-85 and is a member of the UK Sea Eagle Project Team, advising on the later phases of reintroduction. He was also formerly Area Officer for Uist, Barra and St. Kilda with Scottish Natural Heritage and now lectures on wildlife cruises. He is the author of the acclaimed The Return of the Sea Eagle and A Saga of Sea Eagles.

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