Book Review: The Folklore of Birds by Alison Davies – Illustrated by Sarah Wildling | Foreword by David Lindo | Published by Leaping Hare Press | £12.99.
As someone who has always had a soft spot for both folklore and feathered creatures, The Folklore of Birds felt like a book made just for me. From the moment I held it in my hands, I knew it was something special. Beautifully bound in hardback and illustrated with delicate, almost magical artwork by Sarah Wildling, it’s the sort of book you want to keep out on the coffee table—not just read and shelve.
Alison Davies weaves together stories, superstitions, and historical titbits from across the world with a gentle curiosity that makes this book utterly enchanting. It doesn’t overwhelm with information but instead delights with bite-sized insights with chapters ranging from Birds of Prey to Waterbirds and Game Birds, I found perfect for dipping into during a quiet moment with a cup of tea. It’s one of those books you can open at random and always find something fascinating.
Some of the tales were familiar, but many were completely new to me. Who knew that barnacle geese were once thought to be fish by devout Catholics? Or that seagulls were believed to carry the souls of dead sailors? I especially loved the section about robins as we have a regular visitor in our garden at the moment – how harming one is said to bring bad luck, even death—and the eerie beauty of the May Day blackbird lore gave me chills.
What really stayed with me, though, was the sense that birds are more than just part of our natural landscape—they’ve been stitched into our stories, our fears, our hopes, and our explanations of the world for centuries. Whether it’s ancient Greek myth, Celtic legend, or rural British superstition, this book captures the soul of birdlore in a way that feels both scholarly and deeply human.
The foreword by David Lindo, “The Urban Birder”, adds an extra layer of relevance for modern bird-lovers—reminding us that you don’t need to live in the countryside to feel connected to the winged creatures around us.
The Folklore of Birds would make a thoughtful gift for any birdwatcher or folklore enthusiast, but it’s also a beautiful treat for anyone who wants to rediscover a little wonder in the everyday. It reminded me to stop, look up, and listen more often—because sometimes, a bird’s song really is trying to tell us something.
A charming, quirky and quietly profound book—I’ll be keeping it close for years to come.
For more information visit Leaping Hare Press here.
Lilly Light