Book review: Exuding a warmth for natural world

An almost accidental diagnosis of autism at 32 for Cobh man Seán Ronayne suddenly put all his ducks in a row. 

It made sense of his serial obsessions, his unrelenting attention to detail, his routine planning of the most mundane parts of his day. 

It explained the north and south pole characteristics of his life; an all but insurmountable social awkwardness and an all-consuming, near-blinkered, comfort-blanket relationship with the natural world.

That interest might well have reached Orwellian proportions — four legs good, two legs bad — if birds had more than two legs but wings are, after all, the most wonderful, enviable legs. 

The diagnosis brought an equilibrium and confidence that made all things possible and encouraged Ronayne to take on very challenging projects including writing this book, a fine achievement that almost seems a thing of nothing compared to his determination to record the call of every species of bird found on this island and, occasionally, further afield. 

Obsession or disciplined, purposeful ornithology in action? Probably both and it is the core achievement of this book that it manages to balance an individual’s relentless curiosity while highlighting our increasingly destructive and suicidal relationship with nature.

Encouraged from a very early age by parents and grandparents to be alert to and respectful of the natural world around him, his worldview was shaped by the wildlife, especially sea birds, around Cork Harbour.

Cuskinny Marsh and its myriad inhabitants played a pivotal role in this growth. So much so that it is hard to identify another environment of such modest scale that had as far-reaching impact on any individual.

The wildlife of Cork Harbour and county were not the only profound influences on the young Ronayne. 

A near-death brush with meningitis gave him a lasting calm and perspective that steers these pages on a steady passage from one challenge to the next. 

Despite many obstacles, he remains enthusiastic and exudes a warmth for humanity that defies our mistreatment of the world he so reveres.

Like many young people, he had to travel to find work after college. He went to Northumberland where he was involved in an ecotourism project, one he enjoyed and which helped him achieve a kind of previously unknown independence.

For someone with more than a passing interest in nature, there are many fascinating passages in Nature Boy but one stands out. 

His discovery of methods to record the high-altitude, nocturnal movements and calls of migrating birds opens a vista few outside ardent birdwatching communities might appreciate. 

This eavesdropping, sometimes from an apartment balcony in Spain, identified the most unexpected travellers and raises questions about our understanding of what species of birds are active in our immediate world.

Ronayne closes his book, one he admits he could not have written without the great support of his partner Alba, with a two-pronged encouragement. 

He tells those who might feel outside of society, as he did, to persist and chase their dreams. Autism need not limit you, he argues. 

His greater plea, however, is that we all change our relationship with nature. He asks that we quickly change our habits, that we become far more assertive in demanding change especially in industrial farming. 

This encouragement, and the steps he outlines to build a sustainable relationship with nature, are infused with optimism and idealism. 

This book will help a reader better understand the dynamics of autism and better appreciate the natural world on our doorstep. An entirely commendable double whammy.
This article was amended on Nov 15, 2024