The best nature books of 2015

Follow Stephen Moss into the fascinating world of undiscovered owls, alien plants, jewel-like butterflies and bizarre marsupials

• Best of culture in 2015: see this year's cultural highlights, chosen by the Guardian's writers and critics

After the well-deserved success of Helen Macdonald's H Is for Hawk, it's not surprising that this year's crop of nature books is packed with examples of the new nature writing. This category encompasses everything from "wild memoirs" to travel books, and poetic journeys to polemics.

One publisher is currently dominating the genre. Bloomsbury has always had a good reputation for natural history reference books, under the expert guidance of the recently retired Nigel Redman, and it has now branched out into more narrative works. Written by an eclectic set of scientists, naturalists and TV presenters, these retail between 14.99 and 16.99 - good value for such well-produced hardbacks. Two TV presenters have compiled their collected columns: the eponymous Bill Oddie Unplucked, and David Lindo's guide to urban birding, Tales from Concrete Jungles. Both are light but very enjoyable reads, as is The Shark and the Albatross (Profile), a look behind the scenes by wildlife cameraman John Aitchison.