Meaning of Geese

‘A magisterial diary for bird lovers.’ Observer‘Reading The Meaning of Geese may inspire you [to descend on north Norfolk this winter yourself].’ Rated 4 stars by The Telegraph ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐‘The Meaning of Geese is an intimate study of the intriguing lives of these under-appreciated birds, as well as a window into the inner workings of a naturalist’s obsession.’ Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell‘Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me NotAs seen on BBC Winterwatch 2023The Meaning of Geese is the story of Nick Acheson’s love for the land in which he was born and raised and for the wild geese that fill it with sound and spectacle every winter.During a time when many of us faced the prospect of little work or human contact, renowned naturalist Nick Acheson found a sense of peace and purpose in his pursuit of the wild geese that filled the Norfolk skies on their seasonal visits from Iceland and Siberia. In The Meaning of Geese Nick recounts these adventures, starting with the dramatic arrival of the pinkfeet and brent geese as they land in the thousands in Britain each autumn.Over seven months he cycles 1,200 miles – the exact length of the pinkfeet’s migration to Iceland, while encountering rarer geese, including Russian white-fronts, barnacle geese and an extremely unusual grey-bellied brant, a bird he had dreamt of seeing since thumbing his mother’s copy of Peter Scott’s field guide as a child. Nick keeps a diary of his sightings as well as the stories he discovers through the community of people, past and present, who love the geese and are working to protect their future.

‘[B]eautiful in its detail of the pink-foot, brent and snow geese… The Meaning of Geese is mournful and magisterial.’ Observer, ‘Goose-nerd Nick Acheson opens his wildlife diary to us, sharing the highs and lows of a unique winter spent in nature’s embrace on the windswept North Norfolk coast. The Meaning of Geese is an intimate study of the intriguing lives of these under-appreciated birds, as well as a window into the inner workings of a naturalist’s obsession.’ Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell, ‘Combining old-school charm with 2020s urgency, Nick’s book, like its subject, is simultaneously earthing and elevating, evoking the bittersweet ache of belonging to a place that is changing but still and always home. The writing is measured, erudite, unfailingly generous but with an underlying emotional vibrancy that cuts through like an icy wind or the sudden dazzle of winter sun.’ Amy-Jane Beer, author of The Flow, ‘A fascinating and thought-provoking record of an individual and his passion for geese, among other birds. Beautifully descriptive but also detailed in the history of winged visitors to the North Norfolk coast, Nick communicates pure passion and unconditional love for a landscape that is his home. A book about geese, people, their observations and a landscape steeped in natural history.’ Jake Fiennes, author of Land Healer, ‘What Nick has achieved with The Meaning of Geese is not just a timely, poignant meditation on his relationship with these birds and his home, but through powerful, lyrical prose, he seems to happen upon unlocking the meaning of life itself: a passionate, purposeful existence which is entirely bound to and entwined with the natural world. Relaxing yet rousing. Honest, human and heart-grabbing. I loved this book so much.’ Sophie Pavelle, author of Forget Me Not

Nick Acheson grew up in North Norfolk. Since early childhood he has been fascinated by nature, a fascination which grew through his youth to become a consuming interest and a commitment to wildlife conservation. In adulthood this has developed into advocacy for the environment and for a sustainable future. For the past fifteen years, Nick has worked for conservation NGOs in the UK, most notably Norfolk Wildlife Trust. He is an ambassador for both Norfolk Wildlife Trust and Pensthorpe, a trustee of Felbeck Trust and a recent president of the historic Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society. Nick has written for three of the Seasons anthologies, Red Sixty Seven, Low-Carbon Birding, British Birds, British Wildlife and BBC Wildlife. This is his first book.