{"title":"Books by Jeff Martin","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"9781472943569","title":"The Tawny Owl","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e‘Jeff Martin explores the Tawny Owl’s natural history in the greatest detail. Where controversy has arisen in the literature, he has put forward all points of view so the reader can make his or her own judgements. There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that Jeff has not researched.’\u003cbr\u003e - Derek Bunn, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Barn Owl\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe haunting calls of the Tawny Owl can be heard from Scandinavia in the north of its range to North Africa in the south. Most people would consider it to be a common and widespread species throughout Europe, but populations in Britain at least are declining, and we need to understand more about the behaviour and ecology of this magnificent woodland bird if its future is to be secured.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJeff Martin has been studying owls for decades, and in this timely book he combines his personal observations\u003cbr\u003etogether with those of other ornithologists and a comprehensive review of the literature, resulting in some surprising revelations. It was not long ago, for example, that the Tawny Owl was considered to be one of the most nocturnal of all owl species, but in recent years it has been observed sunbathing, calling and even hunting in broad daylight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Tawny Owl\u003c\/i\u003e begins by exploring the research that has been undertaken over the last two centuries, and the gaps that remain in our knowledge. Subsequent chapters detail the evolution and classification of this relatively young species, its status and distribution across Europe, its feeding, breeding and behavioural ecology, why numbers are falling, and what we can do about it. Interestingly, this silent hunter appears to be increasingly preying on passerine birds, as forest degradation and destruction have had a negative impact on small mammal numbers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book concludes by looking at the role that Tawny Owls have played in British culture, and whether the changes in behaviour and plumage among the British population could mean we have a new subspecies evolving on our island.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56301357334901,"sku":"9781472943569","price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781472943569_7347bd57-2fda-4664-903a-01572fb9e3e6.jpg?v=1786020709"},{"product_id":"9781873580899","title":"The Barn Owl","description":"The briefest glimpse of this beautiful bird swooping across a field reassures us that all is well in our beloved countryside-but is that really the case?With its universal appeal, it is no surprise that the barn owl is one of the most studied birds in the world. In this book Jeff Martin has compiled both his own research findings and those of the world's leading experts to give a detailed insight into the barn owl's fascinating lifestyle and behaviours.   The barn owl Tyto alba belongs to the worldwide genus of Tyto, which presently comprises some 12 species of barn owl and 13 other closely related species. How this family of birds has managed to spread itself around the world has been a puzzle to ornithologists for many years, and Jeff is the first one to address this question formally by presenting some thought-provoking theories. He also discusses the origins of the name and the history that has brought the barn owl to the forefront of wildlife conservation.   The more we learn about barn owls the more we need to look at their environment. How fragile is their future? How dependent is their existence on our conservation efforts? Jeff explores the issues and discusses possible longer-term strategies to ensure that barn owls will continue to thrive in Britain. If we get things right for the barn owl, our countryside will benefit too.","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56313101353333,"sku":"9781873580899","price":25.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781873580899_f46f141c-a1a1-409e-8740-05a90da1fcd7.jpg?v=1786029664"},{"product_id":"afterlife-time-employment","title":"Afterlife-time Employment","description":"'And you thought your job was hell' Doug is a lowly office demon, working at Hell Inc. Trying to wring any bit of happiness out of his soul-crushing existence is his full time job. Now, besides clumsily trying to start an office romance, and constantly running afoul of his boss, Doug also finds himself in charge of the new intern; a freshly deceased and understandably terrified human soul. Join Doug and his co-workers as they experience the eternal joys of Candied Sheep Day, the pains of the Mandatory Intramural Slo-Pitch tournament, and the bizarre stresses of the company Christmas Party. Collecting 300 comic strips from the popular webcomic, Hell Inc. including 6 new exclusive comic stories. 'It's like The Office. If the Office was set in hell.'","brand":"Gardners","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57509963301237,"sku":"9781998489923","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0612\/7193\/3106\/files\/9781998489923.jpg?v=1787130124"}],"url":"https:\/\/backstory.london\/collections\/author-jeff-martin.oembed","provider":"Backstory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}