Owls have long held a spellbinding place in our folklore and imagination. To some they are symbols of luck; to others, omens woven through tales of witchcraft, medicine, weather, birth and death. In The Secret Life of the Owl, bestselling nature writer John Lewis-Stempel sets out to explore the mystery of this nocturnal guardian, revealing the deep cultural and ecological significance of one of Britain’s most captivating birds.

Drawing on centuries of myth and modern natural history, Lewis-Stempel brings together lyrical writing and beautiful illustration to uncover what makes the owl such a powerful presence in our stories and landscapes.

Twice winner of the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, for Meadowland (2015) and Where Poppies Blow (2017 Lewis-Stempel is one of Britain’s most celebrated voices in nature literature. His other acclaimed works include the Radio 4 Book of the Week and Sunday Times top-five bestseller The Running Hare.

A poetic, atmospheric and insightful owl book from one of the country’s finest natural history writers; perfect for readers drawn to British wildlife, folklore, and the hidden lives of our native birds.