A Year Surrounded by Marshy Wildness

On the Marsh is a lovely book by Simon Barnes (who used to be a peaceful troublemaker writing for national newspapers). On hearing a Cetti’s warbler sing in Norfolk as he looked at a house for sale, he decided to move there with his family, as he feared that marshy land nearby would end up being lost to developers or intensive farming.

As he and his wife rewilded the area, this had beneficial effects for their son, who has Down Syndrome. A place of calm and inspiration for all.

The book follows triumphs (two harrier families arrive to use the marsh as hunting ground). And disappointments (chemical run-off from neighbouring farmland creates a nettle monoculture).

About the Author

Simon Barnes is a travel writer and wildlife journalist, who was sports writer for The Times newspaper for 32 years. Many were appalled when they fired him, saying they could not afford his salary.

There were whispers that his writing on how hen harriers (endangered birds of prey) were being illegally killed by some in the grouse-shooting industry’, led to ‘heads will roll’ due to powerful landowner supporters of the newspaper.