What a way to round off our year of author evenings! Despite Storm Claudia drenching the streets, The Bookery was warm and buzzing as a full house gathered for a truly special event with Dr Michael J. Warren, author of The Cuckoo’s Lea – The Forgotten History of Birds and Place, in conversation with the acclaimed environmental campaigner and writer Guy Shrubsole.

From the moment the discussion began, we were transported into a world where birds and place names intertwine, revealing centuries of connection between language, landscape, and the natural world. Michael’s passion for uncovering the forgotten history of bird place names shone through, as he explained how sounds — especially birdsong — once shaped the way communities named their surroundings. “We’re visually obsessed these days,” he reminded us, “but sound was more important once.” Even Shakespeare, he noted, said, “Let’s go hear a play.”

We were so grateful to Guy for chairing the event and his skill in drawing out the lyrical beauty of Michael’s book—not just in its prose but in its physical form, with its stunning cover and delicate sprayed edges adorned with birds. We learned that the design was created by Matt Johnson, adding another layer of artistry to this remarkable work.

The conversation roamed from medieval poetry and Anglo-Saxon charters to the evocative power of bird calls. We rejoiced that the cuckoo, emblematic of summer, has left its mark across Devon and Dartmoor, and that owls too have lent their voices to place names scattered across the county. Michael shared how these names often echo the sounds of the birds themselves — onomatopoeic traces of a time when listening was central to life.

One of the evening’s highlights was Michael’s reading from The Cuckoo’s Lea, conjuring vivid images of rooks wheeling over Bury Barton hill near Crediton, and ancient paths marked by Hedgebanks and Crucifix Trees. These passages reminded us that place names are not arbitrary—they are rooted in ecological history, carrying meaning that connects us to the land.

After a lively audience Q&A, Michael and Guy joined guests for book signings and conversations that continued long into the evening. It was a night of insight, warmth, and wonder—a perfect finale to our 2025 author series. We will be back with more author events in January.

Looking for a gift that sings of history, nature, and beauty?

The Cuckoo’s Lea is more than a book—it’s a journey through Britain’s landscapes and language, told with elegance and depth. We have signed copies in stock HERE or pop in and pick one up— you’ll be giving a gift that connects past and present and celebrates the wild magic of words and birds.