Living with Greys - Signed by author Tarquin Millington-Drake, Partridge book

• Published 23rd May 2024
• Signed by the author Tarquin Millington-Drake
• Hardback, 160 pages with 208 colour photos

"To call 'Living with Greys' a coffee table book would be like calling the Mona Lisa a painting" - Roger Morgan-Grenville, Author of The Return of the Grey Partridge

Following the success of A Year on the Moor, Tarquin was lucky enough to have a grey partridge restoration project start up on his doorstep, giving him the opportunity to photograph the lives of wild grey partridges. 

At first, he had to get to know and understand the illusive grey, observing their movements and habits, working out the best times of day to find them and where to place his hides. His first efforts were met with disdain but with perseverance he enjoyed extraordinary encounters. His journey has been a long one, and with over 500 hours in his hides, he truly feels as if he has been Living with Greys. 

His photographic account, with short written descriptions of each season, is full of the most intimate moments, and tells the story of a year in the life of wild grey partridges and the birds and animals around them. He focuses on the land management and farming practices that create premium habitat and all-important thriving insect numbers, and also follows the often-solitary life and work of Frank Snudden, the young keeper, whose tireless efforts were key to the great success of the project which ultimately won the Gold Purdey Award for Game and Conservation 2022.

Due to their scarcity, a photographic account of the life of grey partridges does not exist, and this book may remain unchallenged as a definitive work for many generations.

Forewords by The Duke of Norfolk, George Ponsonby and Teresa Dent CBE, CEO of GWCT.

Review by Roger Morgan-Grenville, Author of The Return of the Grey Partridge
 
"To call 'Living with Greys' a coffee table book would be like calling the Mona Lisa a painting. It is the glorious distillation of hundreds of hours observation into stunning images and wise commentary. Above all, it properly presents the resurgent grey partridge among its natural fellow creatures, and alongside the people who passionately look after them. It is a wonderful treasure of a book."