Otter country | miriam darlington

Over the course of a year, Miriam Darlington travelled around Britain in search of wild otters; from her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland; to Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall, Somerset and the River Lea; to her childhood home near the Ouse, the source of her watery obsession.

Otter Country follows Darlingtons search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light, as she tracks one of Britains most elusive animals.

During her journey, she meets otter experts, representatives of the Environment Agency, conservationists, ecologists, walkers, Henry Williamsons family, Gavin Maxwells heir; zoo keepers, fishermen, scientists, hunters and poets.

Above all she learns how to track and be around otters, and that the stillness required to actually see this shy animal can bring many unasked-for wonders.

Written in mesmerising prose, Otter Country establishes Darlington as a prominent voice in the new generation of British nature writers.