IN the run-up to the 2019 General Election, all the political party leaders are pledging their commitment to safeguarding and enhancing wildlife.
But none (so far) has vowed to set a personal example by creating, if elected, a haven for birds and butterflies in the garden of 10 Downing Street.
By contrast, first as Chancellor of the Exchequer, then as Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain did just that.
Bird tables and nesboxes were installed in the gardens of both 11 and 10 Downing Street, and, even with war waging, Chamberlain made a point, each morning after breakfast, of feeding the birds with toast that he crumbled himself.
Another daily ritual - between 9.15am and 10am - was that of taking the short walk, in the company of wife Anne, to St James’s Park to monitor the ducks, geese and other wetland birds, plus anything other birds of interest such as kestrels or swifts.
All this intriguing information has been exhaustively researched by historian Nicholas Milton who has now collated and published much of the material in his excellent first book, Neville Chamberlain's Legacy - Hitler, Munich and The Path to War (Pen and Sword, £25).
Inevitaby Churchill, Hitler and all the foremost political figures of early 20th Century Britain feature heavily in the narrative - as do the circumstances which resulted in such costly conflict.
But the author has provided a refreshingly revealing focus on the context to Chamberlain's involvement - his upbringing, his career and his interests, most notably his abiding fascination with nature across its whole spectrum from moths to birds.
History has not been kind to his legacy, largely because much of it was written by his contemporary adversaries or by biographers who, for whatever reason, chose to overlook all the good that he did.
Milton, however, is far more considered and generous in his appraisal of a politician who, though manifestly lacking in personal charisma, was a man of courage, discipline and integrity.
He writes: "Munich and appeasement may have defined Chamberlain's premiership, but nature and birds defined his personality."
As well as being a military historian, the author is also a naturalist himself, so when he describes Chamberlain’s ornithological records, he knows his stuff.
Among the species that crop up in his book are some relatively unusual ones - for instance, common sandpiper, tawny owl, black redstart, grey phalarope, red-backed shrike, corncrake, grey wagtail and reed bunting.
In his research, Milton also tracked down another ornithologist of yesteryear, Gilbert Collett, who was in regular correspondence with Chamberlain, the two men swapping notes about the birds they had seen and the precise locations.
This is a fascinating book which casts new light on the life and times of a much misunderstood politician.
It is available wherever books are sold.
