Nature film-maker and author Andrew Cooper has spent the best part of his life studying the wildlife of his home county of Devon for his popular TV programmes.

I always knew Devon was good, but I didn't know it was that good.

Andrew Cooper

Over the past 18 months Andrew's travelled the county, researching the richness of Devon's wild places.

The results of his latest study are published on 18th April 2005 in his book Secret Nature of Devon, the start of a new national series of county wildlife guides published by Green Books.

When we say 'guide' we mean it - this may have a lot of nice photos in it, but at its heart, it is an in-depth look at all the fauna of the county.

Secret Nature of Devon, the first book to look exclusively at the wildlife of the county, reveals that Devon is far richer in wildlife than any comparable place in the British Isles.

Andrew Cooper

"In less than thirty miles you can come from a coastline where sub tropical flowers bloom, to the wind torn heights of Dartmoor where sub arctic plants survive," said Andrew Cooper.

"Few places in Britain can boast such extremes, a rich and diverse nature in such a short distance - Devon can!"

Secret Nature of Devon is an inspirational guide to the unique character of Devon's countryside and the wildlife that is special.

Profusely illustrated, the book is a wonderful insight into the extraordinary richness and variety of Devon's wild places:

Andrew has split the book up into sections, to make it both comprehensive and easy to navigate.

"I've tried to break it down into habitats to get the reader excited," he said.

"Once you're excited by a subject you want to learn more about it.

Another of the pictures from the book, a buzzard. Photo: Andrew Cooper

"I've split it into seasons so if you are down here in the spring and want to get a real impression of the best wildlife, you'll know exactly where to go to watch a dipper nesting."

Andrew has compiled Secret Nature of Devon with advice from the Devon Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation and many other organisations.

The title is from his most popular, award-winning BBC natural history television series.

It includes a comprehensive guide to the plants and animals that make Devon special, with the best time and place to see them; recommended nature reserves, map and details of local wildlife organisations.

To see the best the county has to offer, just turn to Andrew's own top chapter.

"One of my favourite bits of the book is a section called Wild Highlights," he said. "It's basically a shortcut to some of Devon's best wildlife.

A Butterfly picture from the book Photo: Andrew Cooper

"It doesn't matter if you're a resident or a visitor, it points you straight at the very best wildlife Devon has to offer in each season of the year."

Used alongside simple identification guides, Secret Nature of Devon will have you reaching for your walking boots and setting out on a journey of discovery.….

"I want to open people's eyes a bit so they're not just looking at the view, but what's going on around them as well.

"Devon is astonishing, I was born and brought up in Devon and I thought I knew the county.

"The things I've discovered in the last 18 months have really surprised me. I always knew Devon was good, but I didn't know it was that good."

* Secret Nature of Devon by Andrew Cooper is published by Dartington based Green Books, price £12.95.