Friday, March 30, 2012

SHADOWS IN THE SKY - Neil Arnold's new book

SHADOWS IN THE SKY: THE HAUNTED AIRWAYS OF BRITAIN







(Published by The History Press)






Press Release






For centuries mankind has reported unusual phenomena in the skies of Britain. From reports of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects), strange winged creatures, and aerial ghosts. Now, for the first time ever, monster-hunter and author Neil Arnold has collated a vast amount of bizarre tales pertaining to those not only dark and stormy skies, but clear blue heavens which for many years have spat out all manner of anomalies.






With so many books being written about UFOs, Neil has decided to concentrate on the more unusual reports of unexplained aerial lights, such as aircraft encounters with peculiar objects, phantom flares, ghost lights, will-o-the-wisp’s and fairy lights. The book also features a chapter on spectral aircraft – mainly war-planes which continue to be seen on foggy moors long after they’ve been shot down. There is also coverage of ghostly airmen, phantasmal helicopters and ghost rockets, and not forgetting haunted airports and airfield’s. However, if you thought these chapters were weird (or not weird enough!) then wait until you read about the winged monsters said to have plagued British skies for many centuries. Fantastic tales of dragons, said to have appeared all over the UK, from the cattle-plucking beasts of Welsh lore to London’s flying serpents. Winged, red-eyed humanoids also sneak into the pages, coverage given to classic aerial anomalies such as the Owlman of Cornwall, the Hythe monster, and the lesser known Hertfordshire ‘Mothman’ and the like. Griffins, giant birds, leather-winged batmen, flying jellyfish and sky-bound horses and dogs, occupy a surreal Ark also inhabited by spectral birds and feathery omens of death….and don’t forget a few tales of harmonious angels






When you’ve escaped the ethereal menagerie, you’ll be scratching your head at tales of all manner of bizarre items and objects that have fallen from the sky. Whilst pennies, fish and frogs may be known to many Fortean’s, obscure cases in relation to falls of snails, slime, metal, wheat, clothes, blood and even excrement may be more unknown! And let’s not forget a chapter on those pesky phantom airships, aerial roads and buildings, flying boats, and yep, you’ve guessed it, even a flying pig! This is a book for monster hunters, UFO spotters, ghost investigators, and the insane.






With a foreword by author Nick Redfern, SHADOWS IN THE SKY: THE HAUNTED AIRWAYS OF BRITAIN is one book that’ll have you reaching for your umbrella. Those who dare pull their eyes away from the skies, can purchase the book from Amazon, and all good bookshops.






Neil Arnold is the author of several books, such as MONSTER! THE A-Z OF ZOOFORM PHENOMENA, MYSTERY ANIMALS OF THE BRITISH ISLES: LONDON, and MYSTERY ANIMALS OF THE BRITISH ISLES: KENT. He is a full-time lecturer on mystery animals.






ISBN – 9780752465630 For enquiries contact The History Press on 01453 883300

Friday, March 2, 2012

Sea-eagle reports

The Ashford Herald of March 1st 2012 ran a interesting natre snippet regarding the sighting of a white-tailed sea eagle. The report, written up by a Paul Todd read: 'The recent appearance of an eagle on the Romney Marsh caused something of a sensation amongst local birdwatchers. First sighted at Botolph's Bridge, Wset Hythe, it was then spotted two days later near the wind farm on Walland Marsh by a local birder, following a tip-off from a farmer who had reported "a vulture" at large on his land. When he arrived on site he was astonished to see this magnificent bird of prey tucking into a fox carcass in the middle of a turf field, and immediately re-identified it as an immature white-tailed eagle, or sea eagle for short.'

According to the report, the bird had also been seen heading towards the Isle of Oxney in Sussex 'where it was buzzed by a pair of peregrines en route...'

The article concluded that, 'Where this remarkable visitor had originated from is a moot point, but the likelihood is that it came from the wintering population in north-east France, as immature birds are notable wanderers..'