Wildlife: birds and birdwatching: general interest Books

Book Synopsis''Birkhead has combined ingenuity and perseverance to produce an evocative portrait of a great pioneer in the scientific study of birds'' Literary ReviewFrancis Willughby lived and thrived in the midst of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Along with his Cambridge tutor John Ray, Willughby was determined to overhaul the whole of natural history and impose order on its complexity. It was exhilarating, exacting and exhausting work. Yet before Willughby and Ray could complete their monumental encyclopaedia of birds, Ornithology, Willughby died. In the centuries since, Ray's reputation has grown, obscuring that of his collaborator. Now, for the first time, Willughby's own story and genius are given the attention they deserve. Tim Birkhead celebrates how Willughby's endeavours set a standard for the way birds and natural history should be studied. Rich with glorious detail, The Wonderful Mr Willughby is a fascinating insight into a thrilling peTrade ReviewIn this engrossing biography of "the first true ornithologist", Birkhead takes us on imaginative journey to the time of Charles II, when there was no classification of animals, birds and plants; when men such as Willughby often endured great hardship in order to make ground-breaking discoveries -- Bel Mooney * Daily Mail *Energetically pursuing his quarry, Birkhead has combined ingenuity and perseverance to produce an evocative portrait of a great pioneer in the scientific study of birds -- Patricia Fara * Literary Review *Brilliantly researched – a vivid celebration of a neglected pioneer of scientific natural history -- Nick Davies, author of 'Cuckoo'A joint celebration of two of the great scientific brains of the Age of Reason … [An] engaging study’ * Country Life *[A] precise and rigorously told biography … There’s a quiddity about [Birkhead's] writing that follows in his subject's steps -- Philip Hoare * New Statesman *Fascinating * Big Issue *Francis Willughby is an ideal subject for a biography … An entertaining and informative book, packed with well-explained scientific detail -- Sam Leith * Spectator *The story of Willughby’s short life, elegantly and engagingly told by Tim Birkhead -- Francis Gooding * London Review of Books *Enthralling ... Tim Birkhead’s careful sleuthing uncovers the remarkable story of an ingenious gentleman-scholar living at the dawn of the scientific revolution -- Matt Ridley, author of 'The Evolution of Everything'If you ever thought the history of natural history might be dull, this wonderful book, a masterpiece of biographical sleuthing, will quickly dispel that illusion … The author’s passion for his subjects, both human and avian, shine through as he brings history to life and relates past to present -- Jonathan Elphick * BBC Wildlife *Magnificent: science without any high falutin' technology -- Praise for 'The Most Perfect Thing', David AttenboroughBrilliant. It's so wonderful when you come across a book on a subject you are not naturally drawn to and you're completely engaged by it -- Praise for 'The Most Perfect Thing', Bill BrysonFull of wonder and surprise and beautifully written -- Praise for 'The Most Perfect Thing', Nick Davies, author of 'Cuckoo'Birkhead’s approach to writing – hard, clear sentences; deep, revelatory looking – has the same effect as his microscope, bringing objects to light that were previously hidden, making us see the familiar with new eyes … After reading The Most Perfect Thing, you’ll never dip your morning soldiers without a shiver of wonder at the complexity and resgourcefulness of the humble egg -- Praise for 'The Most Perfect Thing', Alex Preston * Observer *

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Book SynopsisA definitive site guide to three of Britain''s most bird-rich counties Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.East Anglia the jewel in the crown of British birding. The counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire represent the most popular region for birders and naturalists to visit in the British Isles, whether to see wintering flocks of geese and waders, rare vagrants, scarce breeding birds such as cranes and bitterns, or just to soak up the countryside, be it fen, broad, coastal dune, breckland, heath or down. This new book by David Callahan is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites, and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit. Where to Watch Birds in East Anglia is indispensable for any birder heading to this bird-rich corner of England.Trade ReviewThe book is authoritative, well presented and generally well researched, and is clearly the new definitive guide to the region. -- James Hanlon * Birdwatch *Table of ContentsKey to Sites Acknowledgements Introduction How to Use This Book Definitions of terms and abbreviations Cambridgeshire The Fens and the Ouse Washes Norfolk Breckland The Broads National Park Suffolk Appendices References Key to Map Symbols Index to Species

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Book SynopsisForeword by Chris PackhamThis beautiful book accompanies a new photographic competition celebrating some of the best bird photography of the year.The Bird Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the artistry of bird photography, and this large-format book is lavishly illustrated to reflect this. A celebration of avian beauty and diversity, it is a tribute to both the dedication and passion of the photographers as well as a reflection of the quality of today's modern digital imaging systems.The book includes the winning and short-listed images from the competition, showcasing some of the finest bird photography, with a foreword by BTO President and head judge, Chris Packham. A proportion of the profits from the book goes directly to the BTO to support their conservation work.The advent of digital technology has revolutionised photography in recent years, and the book brings to life some of the most stunning bird photography currently on offer. It features a vast variety of photo

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Book SynopsisForeword by Chris PackhamThis beautiful book accompanies a new photographic competition celebrating some of the best bird photography of the year.The Bird Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the artistry of bird photography, and this large-format book is lavishly illustrated to reflect this. A celebration of avian beauty and diversity, it is a tribute to both the dedication and passion of the photographers as well as a reflection of the quality of today's modern digital imaging systems.The book includes the winning and short-listed images from the competition, now in its fourth year, showcasing some of the finest bird photography, with a foreword by BTO President and head judge, Chris Packham. A proportion of the profits from the book goes directly to the BTO to support their conservation work.The advent of digital technology has revolutionised photography in recent years, and the book brings to life some of the most stunning bird photography currently on offer. It featuresTrade Review‘Even if you don’t know your corncrakes from your cornflakes, you’ll still be entranced.’ Irish Independent Review

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Book SynopsisIn this beautiful, collectible new volume, street artist Matt Sewell offers his own unique take on 52 of Britain''s favorite garden birds. Since its first appearance in July 2009, Matt''s Bird of the Week feature for the Caught by the River website has quickly become a cult hit. His pop-art watercolors are distinctive and enchanting, as are his innovative descriptions. With 52 birds, one for each week of the year, this delightful gift book will appeal to birders, children, and adults, and art and design fans alike.Trade ReviewAn offbeat book featuring 52 charming characterful illustrations of our best-loved British birds. * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisA high-quality boxed notecard set featuring beautiful and noteworthy birds from Audubon's Birds of America.

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Book SynopsisDescribes the struggle to become nationally recognised 'Birder of the Year', a competition involving much travelling and sometimes a little guile too. This book contains accounts of several bird species encountered, as well as descriptions of the habitats visited.Table of ContentsForeword; Prologue; Chapter One: January a moving experience; Chapter Two: February getting into the groove; Chapter Three: Marching on together; Chapter Four: April showers of migrants; Chapter Five: May The Lochans of Mercury; Chapter Six: June and July the half-time break; Chapter Seven: August unto the breach once more; Chapter Eight: September getting personal; Chapter Nine: October the Scilly season; Chapter Ten: November and December the final furlong; Chapter Eleven: The nineteenth hole; Chapter Twelve: Epilogue Chapter Thirteen: Further adventures of the silver-haired man The list Acknowledgements;

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Book SynopsisForeword by Chris Packham. The author recounts his own experiences - the highs and the lows, the trials and tribulations - of being an avid birder in a world seemingly populated by experts and high-flyers. Join him on an often humorous and irreverent journey around the UK.Trade Review...From the rivalry between the author and his brother as children and their adventures, to his rediscovery of nature in all its glory, especially the winged kind, was the journey of a man with a passion that is detailed beautifully in this volume. The author writes with ease and imagination and his prose is a joy to read. The fact that he documents visits to some of my favourite wildlife watching spots made it even more entertaining but above all his love of nature shines through. This tale is accompanied by a parallel story of romance as he manages to find a like minded soul mate. A very enjoyable read. --Jenny Steel, www.wildlife-gardening.co.uk There is no birder out there who never gets it wrong, although there are a great many who would have you believe otherwise so it is refreshing to tag along with an average birder who can demonstrate that the richness and beauty of birding is all about the experience not the theory. Nice one Andrew. --Fatbirder Feb. 2012 The latest in a fairly long line of birding and twitching books, this tells the story of Andrew's journey into birdwatching as a boy. Early trips with his brother to the marshes in Essex and Kent will ring bells with many of us who followed similar paths of birding. There are many accounts of day-trips with the triumph and downfalls that beset all young birders. For a time, Andrew gives up the hobby, but he later rekindles the interest and, with his girlfriend (now wife), he travels more widely. Andrew never makes it into what I am sure he would see as the upper echelons of birding and clearly feels a bit of an outsider and, in that respect, I think his story will feel familiar to many people. This is a short read, but an enjoyable one, and better than I expected. --Birding World, April 2012 Andrew Fallan has written the latest in a recent growing genre of birders autobiographies. Fallan describes how he got the bug, what this has led to through his life and many of the ups and downs of this pastime. - This endearing tale recounts the continuous, occasionally desperate search for those rarities that appear in the UK occasionally, the failures and the successes, trials and tribulations of chasing birds, and reported sightings around the UK. Fallan lives in Essex, not known as a destination for great birding, and seems to spend much of the book longing for Norfolk, where he and his partner have many successes, but find themselves being brushed aside by some of the 'me first' crowd. - Packham says "I do definitely concur with his thoughts on a proportion of the twitching fraternity. They actually put me off birding for a while in the same fashion that football thuggery put me off going to see the beautiful game." wildlifeextra.com Andrew Fallan's concept of birding for 'low-flyers' certainly strikes a chord; after all, we can't all be the next birding equivalent of George Michael or Richard Dawkins ... The author has an acute sense of self-awareness and integrity - - British Trust for Ornithology The book celebrates a pure and unpretentious approach to birding that many birders could gain something from. The reason many of us go birding comes from a powerful and deep-seated connection that is impossible to explain to friends and family who question the attraction of traipsing around lonely marshes and woodlands, with binoculars swinging from the neck. At least, it's something that's hard to explain in a single conversation, but Andrew Fallan, in this short book, has more or less put his finger on the simple magic of watching birds - The book takes a refreshingly down-to-earth and holistic view of enjoying birds. It serves very well as a reminder of the great pleasure that is to be had by, for instance, forgetting about getting your head around the mirrors and tongue on P10 and instead looking in raw wonder at the refined form that is a gull against a marvellous coastal backdrop. Communicating the fulfilment in taking this basic approach is something that Fallan does excellently - - Birdwatch magazineTable of ContentsAbout the Author Foreword Acknowledgements Chapter 1 It started with a Kestrel... Chapter 2 Birding for low-flyers Chapter 3 Boys, bikes and birds Chapter 4 Further afield Chapter 5 Even further afield Chapter 6 The wilderness years Chapter 7 Return from exile Chapter 8 A match made in Norfolk Chapter 9 Targeted strikes Chapter 10 Of owls and raptors Chapter 11 Optical debacles Chapter 12 In search of raptors - again Chapter 13 Capercaillies - they don't exist! Chapter 14 A twitch too far Bibliography

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Book SynopsisWhat is it like to be a swift, flying at over one hundred kilometres an hour? Or a kiwi, plodding flightlessly among the humid undergrowth in the pitch dark of a New Zealand night? And what is going on inside the head of a nightingale as it sings, and how does its brain improvise? Bird Sense addresses questions like these and many more, by describing the senses of birds that enable them to interpret their environment and to interact with each other. Our affinity for birds is often said to be the result of shared senses - vision and hearing - but how exactly do their senses compare with our own? And what about a birds'' sense of taste, or smell, or touch or the ability to detect the earth''s magnetic field? Or the extraordinary ability of desert birds to detect rain hundreds of kilometres away - how do they do it? Bird Sense is based on a conviction that we have consistently underestimated what goes on in a bird''s head. Our understanding of bird behaviour is simultaneouslTrade ReviewAn absolutely absorbing book, on almost every page there is an astonishing observation or revelation -- Peter Parker * Daily Telegraph *An eye-opening guide to all matters ornithological ... His tour of the frontiers of our understanding of birds is stuffed with mind-boggling facts and insights. Thoroughly engaging, it also gives us a thrilling sense of the vast, unmapped territories that lie beyond, waiting to be discovered -- Christopher Hart * Sunday Times *A joy to read, simultaneously fascinating and hilarious ... a book that is thoughtful, thoroughly researched and engagingly written throughout -- Jamie Condliffe * New Scientist *An inspired bringing together of all the latest scientific research on avian sight, sound, touch and taste as well as smell, along with some senses which are beyond human capabilities altogether ... if you pick up Bird Sense, however wise you think you are, you'll learn something new -- Michael McCarthy * Independent *This fascinating book has much to teach us, not just about what it means to be a bird, but about the rewards and responsibilities of our coexistence with these wonderful creatures -- David Wheatley * Guardian *Superb ... like having the top of your own head lifted off and its contents deliciously stirred: no one after reading this book could think it was possible to know too much, no one could think science removes us from feeling ... his richly engaging book so deepens our understanding of what is familiar that we are returned to the birds we know around us and the wider world with a revivified sense of how life comes and goes -- Tim Dee * Observer *Remarkable in its celebration of birds * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisAn RSPB audio and book guide to the birdsong of Britain's best known bird species. Birdsong is the natural soundtrack to our lives and can evoke a powerful sense of time, place and season. Often profoundly beautiful, it is also the most effective way to discover many birds, and birds' songs and calls reveal much about their lives and behaviour. But identifying which bird is making which sound can seem challenging. With this groundbreaking and easy-to-use RSPB guide, Adrian Thomas helps you learn and identify bird sounds step by step and at your own pace. Whether you are an experienced birdwatcher or just enjoy hearing the birds in your garden, this new guide will open your ears like never before to the amazing songs and calls around you. Together the book and CD combine to create an RSPB-endorsed sound guide to more than 100 songs and calls of 65 garden, woodland and farmland birds, and a reference section describes in detail the sounds of a further 185 birds of Britain and northTrade ReviewAdrian’s knowledge of the science and majesty of birdsong resonates from every page as he tells how to recognise the vocalisations of 250 species, opening a new dimension of birdwatching to novice and expert. -- Stuart Winter * Sunday Express *Adrian's descriptions of the sounds are excellent - far closer to the real thing and easier to remember than most field guides manage - but his own sonograms are a useful extra touch, and of course the CD (...) adds a very valuable extra dimension. -- Matt Merritt * Bird Watching *Thomas's enthusiasm for his subject, as well as the sheer depth of his passionate knowledge, really shines through on every page. -- The Reviewer * English Garden *It's easy to read, clearly illustrated and as someone with no musical knowledge makes essential reading. -- James Lidster * Birdwatch *It contains the clearest descriptions I have read for understanding pitch, timbre, harmonics and overtones and for anyone struggling to learn bird calls and songs it's a great introduction and I suspect for many it might just be the book they need. -- James Lidster * Birdwatch *Table of ContentsPart 1: An Introduction to Bird Songs and Calls Introduction How to use this guide What is sound? How do birds make noises? Types of bird sound How to describe bird sounds Reading sonograms What sounds to expect: Where and when? What to expect: Habitats Putting it all together Turning it into learning Part 2: Guide to Common Bird Songs and Calls Towns and villages Woods and copses Upland woodland Farmland Reedbeds and marshes Part 3: Reference Guide How to Record Bird Sounds Glossary References Acknowledgements Sound Credits Photo Credits Track List Index

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Book SynopsisRSPB Spotlight: Ospreys is packed with eye-catching, informative colour photos, and features succinct, detailed text written by a knowledgeable naturalist.A hunting Osprey is one of the great sights of the natural world, and its fishing prowess is admired and revered around the globe. However, its penchant for taking fish from trout ponds resulted in a drastic decline in the UK with the species wiped out by human persecution and habitat loss.Thanks to concerted conservation efforts, it has made an encouraging comeback in recent decades, giving people across the country the chance to see this majestic hunter in action once again. This easy-to-read text explores all aspects of the Osprey's biology and ecology, including a detailed overview of the adaptations that make it such a skilled and proficient hunter. There is also a chapter dedicated to Osprey migration with a summary of the findings of groundbreaking satellite tracking research. Tim Mackrill also explores the relatTable of ContentsMeet the Osprey Diet and Feeding Behaviour Breeding Migration A History of Ospreys in Great Britain Osprey Conservation Ospreys in Culture Watching Ospreys Glossary Further Reading and Resources Acknowledgements Image Credits Index

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Book SynopsisA lavish celebration of the seabirds of the British Isles.Seabirds are the living links between land, air and sea. They enjoy a freedom that even humans, with all our technological assistance, can barely imagine. Many species travel mind-boggling distances across the length and breadth of our planet before returning to land to breed in large, deafening and confusingly crowded colonies. Yet within this commotion each mated pair forms a bond of extreme closeness and tenderness that survives separation each winter and may persist for decades. The long and geologically varied coastline of the British Isles provides homes for internationally important numbers of breeding seabirds. Visiting their colonies is always unforgettable, whether they are cliff-faces packed with Guillemots, islands white-capped by clustered Gannets on their nests, flat beaches crowded with screaming Arctic Terns or seaside rooftops overlaid with a second townscape of nesting gulls. The changTrade ReviewA superb new book...packed with fascinating information on how the birds around our coast are faring. * Scotland Outdoors *This wonderful book is an inspiring, new resource for sea-birdwatchers of all abilities and interest and deserves a place in the home of every birder. * Surf Birds *Marianne Taylor does an excellent job of providing evocative and informative descriptions of every species...the text is greatly enhanced by superb photographs. * BBC Wildlife *Brilliant...excellent for any birder's Christmas stocking. * Bird Watching *Table of ContentsIntroduction Seaducks Eider Common Scoter Red-breasted Merganser Other seaducks Divers and grebes Red-throated Diver Black-throated Diver Great Crested Grebe Slavonian Grebe Other divers and grebes Tubenoses Fulmar Manx Shearwater European Storm-petrel Leach’s Storm-petrel Other tubenoses Gannets, cormorants and relatives Gannet Cormorant Shag Other related species Phalaropes Grey Phalarope Skuas Arctic Skua Great Skua Other skuas Gulls Kittiwake Mediterranean Gull Black-headed Gull Common Gull Lesser Black-backed Gull Herring Gull Yellow-legged Gull Great Black-backed Gull Other gulls Terns Little Tern Sandwich Tern Roseate Tern Common Tern Arctic Tern Other terns Auks Guillemot Razorbill Black Guillemot Puffin Other auks Recommended reading Bibliography Acknowledgements Photographic credits Index

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Book SynopsisCartoonist and national treasure Ralph Steadman''s unique take on a variety of extinct birds ...When Ceri Levy asked Ralph Steadman to produce one piece of art representing an extinct bird for a recent exhibition, Ghosts of Gone Birds, Ralph said ''yes''. Then ''yes'' again ... and again ... and again.An astonishing 100 paintings later, Extinct Boids was born.Ralph got carried away by the birds, taking Ceri with him ... this book details the discoveries they made on their travels through the savage seas of extinction. After stumbling on the previously hidden Toadstool Island, where the extinct birds of the world live on in secretive harmony, the duo spent nearly a year in close proximity to a host of fantastical avian creatures. Ralph documents them all in this series of remarkable paintings, featuring unique interpretations of well-known birds such as the Great Auk, Passenger Pigeon and Dodo, along with less familiar members of the featTrade ReviewNot since Adam named the beasts ... has anyone so enriched the language of ornithology as Mr. Steadman and his co-author, Ceri Levy, in Extinct Boids. * New York Times *A characteristically madcap and often very funny voyage through the dark tale of extinction. -- Stephen Moss * Daily Mail *While Steadman gives us paintings of the dodo, the great auk and other familiar lost species in burning, unforgettable colours, we also find the nasty tern, the wizened twit, the dickie bird, the jail bird, and the lesser Peruvian blue-beaked blotswerve. The film-maker and conservationist Ceri Levy anchors it all in sanity with an appealing running commentary. -- Michael McCarthy * The Independent *Every turn of the page reveals a bird brought to life in Steadman's inimitable style. * New Scientist *Ralph's remarkable paintings... pay a tribute to some of the most beautiful creatures ever to have lived. * The Lady *Each species is splashed across the page in Steadman’s unique style, accompanied by a witty and informative commentary by Levy. * The Guardian *The illustrator Ralph Steadman has used his weird imagination to conjure up colourful, faded feathered friends. * Leicester Mercury *The national treasure that is Ralph Steadman utilises his trademark cartoon-style to document those “ghost birds” whose demise stands as an indictment of mankind’s destructive tendencies. * Sunday Express *A riotous flight of imagination with a serious message. * Birdwatch *Table of ContentsHis Nibship in the Midship HMS Steadmanitania Ghosts of Gone Birds So I said, then he said, then… Japanese Egret Great Auk North Island Giant Moa Choiseul Crested Pigeon Black Mamo Guadalupe Caracara Mauritius Owl Rodrigues Solitaire Oahu ‘O’o Jamaican Red Macaw Liverpool Pigeon Purple Gallinule South Telly Chat Chatham Rail North Island Takahe Pallas’s Cormorant Dodo Blue Slut Rodrigues Blue-black Throstle Lesser-blotted Bitwing Mauritius Night Heron Mechanical Botanical Spunt Imperial Woodpecker Martinique Amazon Parrot King Island Shtum Orange-beaked Mwit Huia Red-footed Booby Bonin Wood Pigeon St Helena Giant Hoopoe Red-moustached Fruit Dove Snail-eating Coua Ula-’ai-Hawane Greater Amakihi Biship’s ‘O’o Honduras Banana ‘O’o How a Bird is Born Pale Blue Piddle Carolina Parakeet North Island Piopio South Island Piopio Red Rail Moor Pen Needless Smut Réunion Sacred Ibis Quink Spundwick’s Fret Cuban Macaw Labrador Duck Mauritius Blue Pigeon Dusky Seaside Sparrow Lord Howe Swamphen Bar-winged Rail Norfolk Island Kaka Ex-Stink Boid Blue Lidwink Blackened Thront Gould’s Emerald Aldabra Brush Warbler Stephens Island Wren Grand Cayman Thrush Robust White-eye Splindwilf Orange-beaked One-wing Jurassic Atitlán Grebe Laughing Owl Double-banded Argus Lanai Hookbill Humpbacked Blue Mult York Island Fright Chatham Island Bellbird Dieffenbach’s Rail Lord Howe Gerygone Robust White-eye Guam Flycatcher Aldabra Brush Warbler Blue-winded Gasp New Zealand Quail Wizened Twit White-winged Sandpiper Auckland Island Merganser Nasty Tern Gob Swallow Once Bittern Lousy Grudgian Mauritian Shelduck New Zealand Little Bittern Colombian Grebe Mascarene Parrot Channel-beaked Murdoch Cuckoo Broad-billed Parrot Spotted Wingless Strut Mottled Splatwink Angered Maggot Sleet Crested Honeycreeper Pueo ‘Apapane Maui Creeper Omao Common ‘Amakihi Palila Hawaiian I’iwi Hawaiian Ariapola’au Lanai Oloma’o Greater Koa Finch Kona Grosbeak Lanai Hookbill Kioea Laysan Rail Hawaiian Rail Bishop’s ‘O’o Hawaiian Crow Canary Islands Oystercatcher The White-winged Gonner Tanna Ground-dove Spittle’s Yerk Northern Bald Ibis Lesser Peruvian Blue-beaked Blotswerve White-winged Feathered Dinosaur Tristan Moorhen Hawaii Mamo The man who hated birdshit Tahiti Rail Réunion Gallinule White Gallinule Guadalupe Ponce Oceanic Eclectus Parrot Kakawahie Lesser-blotted Kamao Guadeloupe Amazon Parrot Oahu Nukupu’u Lesser ‘Akialoa Purple Swamphen White Gallinule Tahiti Sandpiper Yooo-eeee Bluebreast Dickie Bird Nested Lemon Tweet Jail Bird Yuleiptopede Nativitaurus Willychick Tweet Long-legged Shortwing Passenger Pigeon Orange Thronk Pink Twisted Thrisp Branch Fling Schwing Pink Rotten Scrawl Random Blotted Slumley Splattered Shag Desert Bluebeak Pink-headed Duck Giant Elephant Bird Green Twot Yellow Twet Pink Twit ‘Smy Egg Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisRSPB ID Spotlight Woodland Birds is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 63 of our most widespread and familiar woodland birds by renowned artist Stephen Message.Our landscape has long been shaped by its native tree cover, whether pine, oak, beech or birch. These habitats are full of life, and you''ll see many different bird species in all kinds of woodlands throughout the year. But do you know a Nuthatch from a Treecreeper? And can you tell the difference between a Goshawk and a Common Buzzard when it''s soaring overhead? The UK''s woodlands are home to a diverse collection of our most beautiful wild bird species.The species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification, while the artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field. The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our woodland birds, as well as the conservation isTable of ContentsIntroducing the UK’s Woodland Birds Habitat Distribution and Migration General Behaviour, Life Cycle and Diet Conservation Spotlight ID with Artwork

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Book SynopsisA love of birds has always been an important part of the British way of life but in wartime birds came into their own, helping to define our national identity. One the most popular bird books ever, Watching Birds, was published in 1940 while songs like There'll be Bluebirds over the White Cliffs of Dover epitomized the blitz spirit. Birds even featured in wartime propaganda movies like the 1941 classic The First of the Few starring Leslie Howard where they inspired the design of the Spitfire. Along the coast flooding to prevent a German invasion helped the avocet make a remarkable return while the black redstart found an unlikely home in our bombed-out buildings. As interesting as the birds were some of the people who watched them. Matthew Rankin and Eric Duffey counted seabirds while looking for U-boats. Tom Harrisson, the mastermind behind Mass Observation, watched people 'as if they were birds' while POW Guy Madoc wrote a truly unique book on Malayan birds, typed on paper stolen from the Japanese commandant's office. For Field Marshall Alan Brooke, Britain's top soldier, filming birds was his way of coping with the continual demands of Winston Churchill. In comparison Peter Scott was a wildfowler who was roused by Adolf Hitler before the war but after serving with distinction in the Royal Navy became one of the greatest naturalists of his generation. With a foreword by Chris Packham CBE The Role of Birds in World War Two is the story of how ornithology helped to win the war.

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Book SynopsisNaturalist Stephen Moss digs beneath the surface of some of our most popular Christmas carols in an ornithological celebration of the Festive Season.Using the structure of the carol as a jumping off point, he explores the place of twelve fascinating British birds in our history, culture and landscape. Some of the birds are obvious, there's the swan and of course the partridge. Other chapters are loose interpretations of a verse: for drummers drumming he delves into the woodpecker's distinctive drumming tap. Woodpeckers, he explains, have special padded skulls to mitigate against using its head like hammer drills. They carefully select dead trees for the most hollow, sonorous sound.With brilliant anecdotes and insights, Stephen Moss weaves history, culture, bird behaviour and folklore into a compelling narrative for each species, tracing its fortunes over the past two centuries.'A superb naturalist and writer' Chris Packham author of Finger in the Sparkle Jar'Moss has carved out an enviable niche as a chronicler of the natural world' Daily MailTrade ReviewA compelling narrative for each species, tracing its fortunes over the past two centuries * The Week *[A] delightful book… [and] a seasonal treat * People's Friend Special Series *

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Book SynopsisA book to help the ordinary birdwatcher appreciate the fascinating songs, stories, and science of common birds."Grounded in science but watered by the heart of a poet, this intimate and personal look at the lives of the birds we see every day invites us to slow down and look again." —John Muir LawsJack Gedney’s studies of birds provide resonant, affirming answers to the questions: Who is this bird? In what way is it beautiful? Why does it matter? Masterfully linking an abundance of poetic references with up-to-date biological science, Gedney shares his devotion to everyday Western birds in fifteen essays. Each essay illuminates the life of a single species and its relationship to humans, and how these species can help us understand birds in general. A dedicated birdwatcher and teacher, Gedney finds wonder not only in the speed and glistening beauty of the Anna’s hummingbird, but also in her nest building. He acclaims the turkey vulture’s and red-tailed hawk’s roles in our ecosystem, and he venerates the inimitable California scrub jay’s work planting acorns. Knowing that we hear birds much more often than we see them, Gedney offers his expert’s ear to help us not only identify bird songs and calls but also understand what the birds are saying. The crowd at the suet feeder will never look quite the same again. Join Gedney in the enchanted world of these not-so-ordinary birds, each enlivened by a hand-drawn portrait by artist Anna Kus Park.Trade Review"In this magical study, Gedney gathers 15 essays on 15 unique species of western birds. Bird-watchers, nature lovers, and anyone curious about avian life will find joy in this blend of poetry and biological writing, complete with illustrations of each bird by Anna Kus Park." —Alta"Gedney’s essays shed light on bird communication in a way that will engage readers everywhere; his book has the potential to create a bird lover out of anyone who picks it up." —Library Journal“I’m a serious backyard birder with a library of over a hundred bird books. Gedney’s is now one of my top favorites. His lyrical and deeply felt insights, in particular about bird language, enable us to see that common birds are anything but and deserve not just our love but our gratitude."—Amy Tan, author of The Joy Luck Club"The Private Lives of Public Birds is an affectionate love song to our most familiar feathered neighbors. Grounded in science but watered by the heart of a poet, this intimate and personal look at the lives of the birds we see every day invites us to slow down and look again." —John Muir Laws, author of The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds"Gedney has opened wide a portal for any and all, novice or expert, to enter a world of immediate avian wonder. With the help of ornithologists and poets and authors from the past—be they William Leon Dawson, Henry David Thoreau or creation stories of the Western Mono—Gedney gathers together nuggets of Goldfinch and treasures in feathers to be enjoyed whether we are gazing out our office window, stuck in traffic, or actively seeking."—Keith Hansen, author of Hansen’s Field Guide to the Birds of the Sierra Nevada"What an eloquent reminder that we don’t need to seek rarities to experience the wonder of birds. Jack Gedney’s book mingles science, story, and poetry, inviting readers to become immersed in the world of close-to-home birdlife—not to just look at birds, but to look again with attention, stillness, study, and curiosity. This book awakens all of our senses, making every step outside the door an opportunity for joy and belonging.”—Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of Rooted and Mozart’s Starling"What fun to follow Jack’s curiosity as he bikes and birds and reads, bringing together dozens of human voices to deepen his essays, from Miwok and Yokut stories, to a range of writers such as Li Bai, Kurt Vonnegut, Mary Austin, Bernd Heinrich, and even Joanna Newson."—Allen Fish, director of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy"I can't remember the last time I started smiling during a preface, couldn't put the book down, continued smiling through chapter one (on the brown scratcher), two (the blue squawker), and beyond. What a delight! This book is filled with such wonderful perspectives on the supposedly ordinary birds all around us." —Donald Kroodsma, author of The Singing Life of Birds"With lyrical prose and joy-filled stories, this wise and generous book invites us to see better, listen better, and to celebrate the miracles happening around us in every yard and garden. If birds could read, they would say, This book gets it exactly right."—Charles Hood, author of A Californian’s Guide to the Birds Among UsTable of ContentsContents Preface Speakers 1. The Brown Bird (California Towhee) 2. The Garden’s Keeper (California Scrub-Jay) 3. I Can Hear When They Call (American Crow) 4. Waxwing Revelations (Cedar Waxwing) Singers 5. Dawn’s Watcher (American Robin) 6. The Blessed Halo (House Finch) 7. This Goldfinch is Not Lesser (Lesser Goldfinch) 8. Devotion’s Fruit (Mourning Dove) 9. The Dusky Demon (Northern Mockingbird) 10. Autumn Kings (Golden-crowned and White-crowned Sparrows) 11. In the Darkness She Will Listen (Great Horned Owl) Visions 12. Light of the Oasis (Hooded Oriole) 13. The Beautiful Purifier (Turkey Vulture) 14. The View From Above (Red-tailed Hawk) 15. A Little Miracle (Anna’s Hummingbird) Tools for Learning the Birds Acknowledgments Notes About the Author

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Book SynopsisFrom the lifelong devotion of the American crow to the dalliances of the eastern bluebird, from the bald eagle’s dazzling aerial display to the male ruby-throated hummingbird’s reputation as a “deadbeat dad” — courtship, mating, and parenting differ dramatically among birds. Ornithologist and author Laura Erickson takes readers on a romance-fueled romp through the love lives of 35 species, exploring the diversity of avian approaches to pairing up. Each species spotlight pairs Erickson’s remarkable depth of scientific knowledge with her talent for drawing humorous and insightful parallels between human and bird. The result is a riveting read for bird-watchers and nature lovers alike.

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Book SynopsisWhen Anne Marie McAleese invited birding expert Dot Blakely on to her radio show, Your Place and Mine, she had no idea that it would mark the beginning of an enduring friendship and a life-changing birding odyssey. For the next two decades, the pair travelled all over Northern Ireland, exploring the wonderful world of birds and the glorious and varied landscapes they inhabit. In Homebirds, Anne Marie and Dot tell the inspiring and often funny story of their adventures. In all weathers, they make their way around parks and loughs, up hills and along coastlines, through villages and towns, meeting a cast of oystercatchers, blackcaps, fulmars, pied wagtails, buzzards, blue tits, herons, brent geese and many more. Illustrated with more than 100 images, Homebirds is packed with information on how to identify birds and attract them to your garden, and includes fascinating facts about the places visited. Above all, Homebirds is a celebration of the wonders of nature on our doorstep and a call for us all to get out and enjoy them.

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Book SynopsisThe Lapwing once had many regional names; the Loon has a British-American identity crisis and the respectable-sounding Apostlebird is often called a Lousy Jack. Why do bird names, both common and scientific, change over time and why do they vary so much between different parts of the English-speaking world? Wandering through the scientific and cultural history of ornithology takes us to the heart of understanding the long relationship between birds and people. Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks uncovers the stories behind the incredible diversity of bird names, explains what many scientific names actually mean and takes a look at the history of the system by which we name birds. Ray Reedman explores the natural history and folklore behind bird names, in doing so unlocking the mystery of the name Scoter, the last unexplained common name of a British bird species.Trade Review...Reedman’s book on the ‘how and why of bird names’ makes for good reading; informative, sassy, and here and there argumentative. Reedman does not refrain from giving his opinion about bird names and this just adds to the spice of the book. Buy it, read it, enjoy it, as I have done. -- Harry F. Recher * Pacific Conservation Biology *It is a playful, well informed personal meander through the technical stuff of ornithological nomenclature, explaining how and why bird names have evolved as they have. Yet it is also a book that takes pleasure in the ideals that humans have entertained about nature, and also in the delightful serendipity that has been at play when birds were christened. -- Mark Cocker * Birdwatch magazine *... an eventful journey spanning the full spectrum from Greek mythology, through Chaucer to the undergarments of Queen Isabella. [...] It is an exceptional reminder of how much linguistic diversity, heritage and history is hidden in our bird names. -- Jurij Hanžel * Acrocephalus *The work of Reedman was very extensive, he explored the confusions and contradictions in the naming of birds, involving about 10,000 species, but also the ongoing discoveries of ornithologists, the fashions of an age, the passions and opinions of individuals that were causes and effects of so many names. To read nearly 300 pages of this book is very easy and the contents show the very deep research carried out by the author in consulting many bibliographic sources, certainly more than those reported in the book, and present in his library. This very nice book deserves to be present in the library of the inquisitive scientist. -- Bruno Massa * Avocetta *[A] very content-rich, informative and enjoyable book, well worth seeking out for those birdwatchers who are curious about naming etymologies. -- Lennart Nilsson * Anser - ornithological journal *This new book by Ray Reedman is a delightful addition to this subject, combining Ray’s love of birds, language and history... A fascinating read. -- Derek Toomer * BTO About Birds *He writes as a birder, but also, as is very evident, as a man whose professional life has revolved around languages and literature, and I fear that in trying not to create a serious work of reference he has failed! I think I shall go back to this book again and again. -- Mike Everett * British Birds *A book you’ll keep picking up to discover more. -- Kelly Brenner * The Metropolitan Field Guide *These stories are narrative natural history at its finest! I don’t mean to be cliché, but if I’m honest, I have to say that one of the things I find most appealing about how the British approach natural history is their uncanny ability to make it simultaneously erudite and homey. ... Whether for education, reference, or simple personal enjoyment, Ray Reedman’s Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks is a book that should most certainly be added to the libraries of naturalists, birders, and the generally curious. Its rich and well-composed content will well merit repeated reading – both in part and in full (indeed, I have already found myself repeatedly returning to its pages after my own first reading of it). Furthermore, it will stand the test of time, for even when some of the names Reedman explains have since changed (and as he so well explains, they someday will), Lapwings will remain as a point of reference to what – and more importantly why – they once were. -- Johannes E. Riutta * The Well-read Naturalist *Table of ContentsIntroduction Historical Perspectives Roots and routes Widening horizons Frameworks The milestones Developments before Linnaeus Linnaeus and the Linnaean System The evolution of formal English names Inside the System The matrix Classic deviations The names behind the names Things in their place Cardinal points And the scientists didn’t always do so well Warts and all The names and the stories New Horizons North American names - Crossing the Great Divide Australian names - Let’s go fossicking Trinidadian names – The Tropical Trail Journey’s End Appendix: The Legends behind the Names Bibliography

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Book SynopsisMost British birds of prey have largely recovered from historical persecution, but the beleaguered Hen Harrier is still struggling and remains far less common than it should be. This is a particular shame, because it is one of our most inspiring raptors. Spectacular sky-dancing displays and balletic food passes from male to female brighten up the moors in summer. And in winter, communal roosts in the lowlands attract birders from far and wide to catch sight of this now-elusive species. This book follows the Hen Harrier over a year: from rearing young hidden away in dense heather, to the fight for survival in the harshest months of winter. Interspersed among the monthly accounts are chapters on the history and status of this iconic bird, as well as an overview of one of the most intractable conflicts in modern conservation: the Hen Harrier’s liking for grouse moors (and the Red Grouse that live there) wins it few friends among shooters, and ongoing persecution continues to hamper its recovery. There are tentative signs of progress, but its fate as a breeding bird in England hangs in the balance. Evocative illustrations, in part based on privileged access to the handful of breeding birds that remain on England’s moors, showcase the Hen Harrier’s exploits through the seasons. These will delight admirers of this species and hopefully foster a greater interest in its wellbeing. The Hen Harrier needs all the help it can get.Trade ReviewThis is an exploration and introduction to the ecology of the species and does that job very well...an affectionate portrait of a wonderful species. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaignerA truly great read...this book will inspire you to get out into the countryside, not only to watch the harriers, but also to wonder at the marvels that British nature has to offer. -- Alan Snook, Hampshire Ornithological SocietyFor anyone who wants to learn more about the life history and ecology of the hen harrier, but has been put off by dry, academic scripts, this is the book for you. Ian Carter has done a wonderful job of assimilating the scientific knowledge about the hen harrier and presenting it in such an engaging format that you’re left deciding whether to turn the page or grab your coat to go in search of this precious species. -- Raptor Persecution UKFor the writing of this work, Ian Carter and Dan Powell followed the Hen Harrier for a year: from hatching the eggs and raising the young to the struggle for survival in winter's harshest months. Beautiful illustrations from life…will delight admirers of this species and the authors hope that this will also generate more interest its welfare. -- Walter Belis, AlaudaIf, like me, you love raptors, this is for you. -- John Miles, birdwatching.co.ukThis book is a must have for anyone with an interest in the Hen Harrier! -- The Birdbooker ReportThe Carter and Powell duo have triumphed again. This book is informative and relevant, and a delight both to read and simply to look at. -- Keith Betton, British WildlifeThis is the book to get if you want an easy-to-read and informative account of the Hen Harrier, its history in Britain and its interaction with the grouse-shooting industry. I found it a pleasure to read. -- Ian Newton, British BirdsThis is a beautifully presented book, a worthy sequel to the previous offering, a love-letter to Hen Harriers and the places they inhabit, and a scathing appraisal of the failure to bring this delicate species back from the brink in the UK. This would provide the perfect introduction to anyone interested in learning more about them and the challenges they face. -- Anthony Wetherhill * BTO News *The book gives you an insight into this amazing bird with Dan’s large number of paintings/sketches adding to the story. If you liked the Red Kite book in this series, you will certainly enjoy this book. -- John Miles, IBISDan Powell's illustrations throughout the book are delightful... This book is well worth a read and anything that brings the Hen Harrier's plight to a wider audience can only be a good thing. -- Sandy McNeil * De Tha Dol *

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Book SynopsisThe British love their birds, which are inextricably entwined with every aspect of their island life. British customs, more than 1,000 years of English literature, the very fabric of society, even the landscape itself, have all been enhanced by the presence of birds. Highly acclaimed on first publication, this superb book pays tribute to the remarkable relationship forged between a nation and its most treasured national heritage.Birds Britannica is a unique publication of immense importance. Neither an identification guide nor a behavioural study (although both these subjects enter its field), it concentrates on our social history and on the cultural links between humans and birds.What makes Birds Britannica of special significance is the inclusion of observations and experiences from more than 1,000 naturalists and bird lovers. These contributions from the public touch on avian ecology; the lore and language of birds; their myths, the art and literature they have inspired; birds as food; and the crucial role they play in our sense of place and the changing seasons.Birds Britannica took eight years to research and was assembled by a team that included some of the finest writers and image-makers of British wildlife. On one level, it is a remarkable collection of humorous stories, field observations and tales of joy, wonder and occasional woe; on another, it is a nationwide chronicle. Scholarly and wide-ranging, a mix of the traditional and the contemporary, Birds Britannica is a comprehensive record of birdlife in the early years of the twenty-first century. No other book has dealt so completely with the rich connections between birds and humans; Birds Britannica captures the very essence of that relationship, and explores why birds matter and why we care.

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Book SynopsisThis beautiful record, on fine paper, is Crumley's homage to these noble creatures, but it is also an elegy, a love song to one swan whose silent tragedy he watched from one season to the next.‘A small mound on white feathers lies on a tussock of grass made grey by a Highland winter. It is all the monument there will ever be to the life of a swan.’With these words, and those that follow, Jim Crumley has ensured that there will be a more enduring witness to the life of this swan, and of all swans, than that pyre of white feathers.Crumley watches, year in year out, as a pair of mute swans struggles, against the odds, to raise young on a wild patch of lock. But the pen starts to lose her eggs to predators; and the cob begins to disappear for longer and longer periods. Until comes the day when a third swan, stronger and younger than the first pen, appears at the other end of the loch.This journal of a swan-watcher, as he calls himself, is an elegy to these noble creatures; and most poignantly it is a memorial to one swan, whose silent drama he has recorded.Trade ReviewA book to be treasured -- Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of CowsIt's lovely. So gentle and understated, and yet so poignant and connected. -- Chris Packham, author of Fingers in the Sparkle JarThis is only a short tale, but it is delicately told, and the fate of the abandoned mate is movingly described * The Times *With exquisite engravings by Harry Brockway [this] is a perfect miniature... [Crumley's] prose style remains as elegant as his white-plumed subjects -- Leslie Duncan * Glasgow Herald *You will want to read it again and again... a lovely book -- Andrew CurrieJim Crumley is the pre-eminent Scottish nature writer * Guardian *Extremely well written and beautifully illustrated -- Colin Gibson * Dundee Courier *The best nature writer working in Britain today * Los Angeles Times *Enchanting * Good Book Guide *Crumley conveys the wonder of the natural world with honesty and passion and, yes, poetry -- Susan Mansfield * Scottish Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisThe robin is a small bird with a distinctive ruddy breast, at once a national treasure and a bird with a global reputation. In this superbly illustrated account, Helen F. Wilson looks at many aspects of the cherished robin, from its status as a harbinger of seasonal change and icon of Christmas, to its place in fairy tales, environmental campaigns and scientific discovery. In moving between cultural and natural histories, Robin asks wide-ranging questions: how did the robin's name travel the world? Why is the robin so melancholy? Who was Cock Robin? And how has the history of the colour red shaped the robin's ambivalent associations and unusual origin stories?

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Book SynopsisFrom crowded train stations to quiet woods and from city centres to our own back gardens, birds remind us that nature is everywhere. But do you know which is the king of the birds? Has anyone ever told you how the brave swallow got its forked tail? And what of the owl, who was really a baker’s daughter?Take a look inside The Magpie’s Nest, where a hoard of stories, riddles and rhymes is waiting for you.Suitable for all ages and charmingly illustrated by Lakeland artist Becca Hall, this is an essential collection of stories for all who love the natural world.

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Book SynopsisThe new book from critically acclaimed writer, Declan Murphy. ‘As I study the birds, animals and plants around me, I cannot help but see the patterns all living things seem driven to create.’ Declan Murphy’s first encounter with a kingfisher as a young boy was unforgettable. Returning to the rivers years later, he embarks on a quest to study this most brightly-coloured bird during its nesting season, a seemingly straightforward challenge. But the river is slow to reveal the habits and secrets of its residents. Dippers, goosanders, grey wagtails and great spotted woodpeckers all yield their hidden habits to the author’s patient pursuit; yet the kingfisher continues to elude him. In this work of rare calibre in the mould of the great contemporary nature writers Robert Macfarlane, Helen Macdonald and Tim Robinson, the author’s retreat into the natural world is not simply for the sake of knowledge: nature is his remedy for managing the world around him. Since childhood, nature has provided balance, solace and direction. As the search for the kingfisher reaches its culmination, these two spheres, the author’s and the others’, suddenly and unexpectedly collide, forcing him to confront how he sees the world and leading to a resolution where balance is restored through the power and intervention of nature. Writing with hallucinatory clarity and singular powers of observation, he brings the beauty and mystery of the animal kingdom to light. His quest becomes the reader’s in the unfolding drama of his search for harmony and knowledge, from mythography to an acute awareness of people’s fragility.Trade ReviewWonderful and beautifully written. -- John BoormanWe are lulled by the beauty and serenity of the river as much as by crystalline prose and singular focus -- Alan GilsenanThis is a mystical and, at times, comforting novel, which explores the beauty of nature, and the loss and death that come hand in hand with it. -- Lasairíona Scarff * Paper Lanterns *The prose is as beautiful as it is visual. Perhaps this is because so much of the shared knowledge isn’t retrieved from books. It’s from experiencing an environment first-hand. -- Daniel Seery * Dublin Inquirer *[Murphy's] lush, evocative, explorations gently lead us along in his pursuit as we encounter dabbling mallards, flitting wagtails, bobbing dippers, single-parent woodpeckers and countless other creatures. This gentle breeze of curiosity is ideally aligned with these contemplative, slow-flow, times. * Totally Dublin *

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Book SynopsisThis is a book about what it's like being a birder in an age of natural decline. It is part autobiographical - tales of spell-binding birding encounters that left indelible memories - and it is part reflective. The travellers' tales of birding adventures are about places and events that were variously entertaining, amusing, captivating, inspiring, exciting and awesome, literally. They also feature the amazing, eccentric, dedicated, inspiring people in the birding community. Travels to Madagascar, Cambodia, India and many other places are recalled. There is birding in the Himalayas, in the Australian outback, on the Southern Oceans and in hotel gardens and city parks and there are tales of the 'big listers', 'big-lensers', professional guides, and local conservation workers who try to keep their habitats safe for us. There are lots of images to accompany these stories. Martin's experiences in becoming a birder late in life revealed some strange behaviour which he soon learnt to take for granted as a member of the birding community. Why tear off chasing the next tick when we were having such a good time in the forest we were already exploring? Why was seeing a rare parrot in a cage less significant than seeing a 'wild' one that was being hand-fed in a nature reserve? Why was he visiting all those rubbish tips and sewerage farms in search of birds when birding excursions to a forest or a natural wetland were so much more pleasing? There are chapters about all of these puzzles and oddities, and more - their origins and, in some cases, how they shape our behaviour in somewhat perverse ways - on 'authentic' birding, the origins and importance of the life list, on rarities and trophy birds, and why the idea of a 'species' is elusive yet so important. All these tales and reflections are shaped by birding during an extinction crisis and the growing biodiversity crisis. As he observed trashed habitats and vanishing bird populations during his travels, Martin's growing dismay and alarm about these issues coloured everything. So he came to ponder what birders are doing in response, whether it is for good or harm. There is the paradox of 'extinction birding' - it is not difficult today to see some vanishingly rare birds, because they are hanging on in reserved, fenced spaces, kept alive by artifices such as captive breeding. Because our visits to these places provide funds, we are also among these species' last hopes for survival. Is this the best we can do? More self-reflection among all birders is necessary. Faced with the growing crisis, we can all do better.

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Book SynopsisAt the very end of the road is a six-bar metal gate. It is chained and padlocked and marks the exact line where the tarmac stops. Beyond that is a track, twelve pasture and hay fields, and an area of saltmarsh, bounded on one side by a river and on the other by vast tidal mudflats. Deep in the west of England, this is a place sculpted by the wind and painted by the tides. It is a place full of wildlife. This immersive and carefully crafted book of place explores the impact of season and tides and weather upon this land at the edge through a series of literary pictures crafted through lyrical imaginative language. The author attempts what few, if any, have tried to do, namely to render meticulous observations of the intimate details of wildlife and landscape to depict a place as faithfully and transparently as possible. This is a bold book, one that tries to capture the elusive soul of a place; a daring examination of both what makes a place and how it is remade daily through the interactions between landscape and observer. It is also radical for its approach challenges the current orthodoxy of nature writing that in order to supply a connection between author, subject, and reader, some sort of narrative framework of human emotion is required to provide it with a rationale. So, although the prose is subjective, the book is framed in such a way as to remove the author's presence almost completely. There is no story save that of the eternal change of the seasons, no narrative connection, no focus on a single species, no discussion or allusion to the environmental issues of our age, no characters. Indeed, there is barely any mention of people at all. Although it rarely tries to explain or educate, it simply places observations at centre stage. Yet in trying to unearth what it is precisely that constructs our relationship with place, the author has, paradoxically, produced one of the most deeply personal and unusual nature books.Trade ReviewA glorious reassertion of the importance of place and one of the purest nature books I have ever read. Mark Cocker ---- He turns simple observations into something timeless and beautiful. Stephen Moss ----- Only a writer with the cloest ties to a landscape and its ecology can observe as he does; this is a hugely admirable piece of work, intelligent, sharp-eyed, individual and honest. Richard Smyth ----- Extremely beautiful writing; up there with the best. ...brilliant descriptions of nature. Geoff Hill

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Book SynopsisPut your birdwatching expertise to the test and learn more about the birds in your garden with this new puzzle book from the RSPB!Do you know what the smallest bird in your garden is? And whose birdsong sounds like 'tea-cher, tea-cher, tea-cher'? Or what a gathering of nesting birds is called?Packed with questions, word games and bamboozling brainteasers, this fun-filled quiz book from the RSPB will test your knowledge and reveal incredible new facts about your garden visitors. Covering a variety of topics, from the garden environment, to nesting, biology and migration, and including a colour section to test identification, this book celebrates all the beautiful birds we can see from the comfort of our doorstep. Suitable for all levels, from the casual garden bird-spotter to the more serious birder, this book will make the perfect gift for anyone interested in British birds, and put them on the path to becoming an ornithological expert.*A Goldcrest, a Great Tit and a colony!

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Book SynopsisBritain’s nature year, from the first flower to the last leaf With a mix of evocative writing, beautiful photographs and facts that are too good to keep to yourself, this book explores 50 magical moments that define our seasons. It’s an inspiring guide to connecting with the nature around you and seeing how it changes through the year. There’s butterflies, blossom and bluebells. There’s foxgloves, flying ants and fungi. There’s snow, seedheads and shadows. You’ll discover how many miles an hour spring moves, how spiders can heal us and how woodpeckers help to protect sensitive technology. The inspiration behind the book is partly the National Trust’s hugely successful 'Blossom Watch' campaign, launched in March 2021. Each year we are encouraged to notice and share when we first see tree blossom, emulating the Japanese tradition of 'Hanami'.

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Book SynopsisA photographic identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen at Fraser's Hill, a former British hill station and one of the premier birdwatching sites in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands. High quality photographs from the region's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, length, plumage, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, the forests, birdwatching trails at Fraser's Hill as well as the other wildlife to be found there. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Fraser's Hill encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific names as well as its regional status

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Book SynopsisIndia has a wide diversity of birdlife, comprising 1,211 species, of which 75 are endemic, making the country a richly rewarding destination for birdwatchers. This fully illustrated guide describes the 125 best sites for viewing both common and rare species throughout the 29 states of the sub-continent. Alongside a map of each area, detailed descriptions of each site cover the type of terrain and specific spots at which certain species are likely to be encountered. Other sections cover access and possible accommodation, as well as important indicators to conservation issues. A fact file for each site lists the nearest town; the type of habitat; key lowland, montane and winter species to be seen as well as other wildlife specialities, and the best time to visit.

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Book SynopsisA Field Guide to the Birds of Singapore is a fully comprehensive field guide to the 422 bird species of Singapore, as well as ‘escapees’ not formally accepted as ‘wild’ birds. The species are clearly illustrated in over 100 plates, with many variants. The main identifying features of each species are described and key facts cover size, voice, range and status, habitat and breeding. The book also includes information on taxonomy and nomenclature, observing birds, climate, habitats, the breeding cycle, migration and conservation as well as 25 key birdwatching sites with maps.

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Book SynopsisA fun, accessible, and stunningly-photographed guidebook to owls, examined through the lens of their complex relationship with mankind and enhanced by enlightening descriptions of owl species, behaviors, and habitats in North America and throughout the world.

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Book SynopsisThis new book in the American Birding Association Field Guide Series includes complete coverage of all the major species, identification tips, and info on conservation status, habitat, and behaviors. Written by expert birders Helen & Andre F. Raine and filled with gorgeous color images by Jack Jeffrey, the American Birding Association Field Guide to Birds of Hawaii is the perfect companion for anyone wanting to learn more about the natural history and diversity of the state's birds, and when and where to see them.

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Book SynopsisMany birders travel far and wide to popular birding destinations to catch sight of rare or exotic birds. In SLOW BIRDING, evolutionary biologist'' Joan E. Strassmann'' introduces readers to the joys of birdwatching right where they are.Inthis inspiring guide to the art of birdwatching, Strassmann tells colourful stories of the most common birds to be found in the United States-birds we often see but might not have considered deeply before. For example, northern cardinals thrive in the city, where they are free from predators. White brows on a male white-throated sparrow indicate that he is likely to be a philanderer. This essential guide to the fascinating world of common, everyday birds features:detailed portraits of individual bird species and the scientists who have discovered and observed themadvice and guidance on what to look for when birdwatching, so that you can uncover clues to the reasons behind specific bird behaviourbird-focused activities that will open your eyes more to t

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Book SynopsisBirds of Bangladesh is the definitive field guide to the rich avifauna of this fascinating and beautiful country.Despite being one of the most densely populated countries on Earth, Bangladesh boasts a diverse range of natural habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands, and supports a wide range of species including a number of sought after regional specialities.This book covers all 705 species that occur in Bangladesh, including vagrants. It includes 103 superb colour plates, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference, as well as concise species accounts describe key identification features, voice, habitats, distribution and status.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Taxonomy and Nomenclature Plates and Species Accounts Plumage Terminology Geographical Settings Climate Main Habitats, Threats and Bird Species Importance for Birds Birdwatching Areas Conservation Measures National Organisations Glossary Family Summaries Plates and Species Accounts (1-103) Appendices References Index Quick Index

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Book SynopsisBirds of Bangladesh the definitive field guide to Bangladesh''s rich avifauna.Despite being one of the most densely populated countries on Earth, Bangladesh boasts a diverse range of natural habitats, including forests, wetlands and grasslands, and supports a wide range of species including a number of sought-after regional specialities, such as Masked Finfoot and Lesser Florican, This book covers all 705 species that occur in Bangladesh, including vagrants. It includes 103 superb colour plates, with text on facing pages for quick and easy reference, as well as concise species accounts describe key identification features, voice, habitats, distribution and status.Birds of Bangladesh is an essential field companion for any birdwatcher visiting or living in this fascinating and beautiful country.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Introduction Taxonomy and Nomenclature Plates and Species Accounts Plumage Terminology Geographical Settings Climate Main Habitats, Threats and Bird Species Importance for Birds Birdwatching Areas Conservation Measures National Organisations Glossary Family Summaries Plates and Species Accounts (1-103) Appendices References Index Quick Index

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Book SynopsisWe live in a world that prizes the fast over the slow, the new over the familiar and work over rest. Birds Art Life Death is Kyo Maclear's beautiful journey to stake out a sense of meaning amid the crushing rush.One winter Kyo Maclear felt unmoored. Her father had recently fallen ill and she suddenly found herself a little lost. In the midst of this crisis, she met a musician who loved birds. When he watched birds and began to photograph them, his worries dissipated. Curious, she began to accompany him on his urban birdwatching expeditions and witnessed the magic of a transient city. Birds Art Life Death asks how we might gain perspective and overcome our anxieties by learning to cherish the urban wild spaces in which we live. Kyo urges us to find a subtle but restorative meaning in the everyday.Trade Review‘Original, charming, a little eccentric even. This book is a delight’ Nigel Slater ‘A literary jewel box … [Maclear's] tiny gems of thought are borne of purposeful waiting, quietude and reflection … Maclear's book is appealing in its appreciation of non-human nature in the midst of city life, agnosticism about the place of human activity in the midst of nature's rhythms and exploration of the relationship between captivity and freedom’ Publishers Weekly ‘A meditation on freedom and confinement and the creative tension between the two. … The simple precision of Maclear’s prose belies the depth, as if the book were the tip of the iceberg and what she has elided or omitted constitutes the rest. Writers and others will find inspiration in the advice to stop and hear the birds’ Kirkus Reviews ‘Intricate and delicate as birdsong, Kyo Maclear’s clear-eyed observations of the natural world and our place in it challenge the velocity of modern life. A year spent birding is a year spent in passionate introspection. As she discovers beauty in urban cityscape, she leads us to turn fresh eyes to our surroundings. Her beloved birds become messengers of both loss and hope’ Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way ‘A beautifully crafted memoir that elevates the ordinary with intelligence and humility’ Leslie Feist, musician ‘Maclear’s writing is fresh and focused. If you’ve ever felt any of the emotions she discusses – worry for one’s parents, feeling stuck, feeling insignificant, feeling lost – there will be a passage in this book that will resonate’ Emerald Street

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Book SynopsisFor the very first time, local and visiting birders will have a detailed guide to Kenya’s best birding sites. The book will help them to locate the key species in each area, including sought-after ‘specials’ and endemics. It offers: a detailed map for each site with specific guidance on what to look for and where information about the birds likely to be seen, descriptions of each site, indicating the plants and wildlife that may be encountered in addition to the birds, tips for planning your trip, road directions to each site.

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Book SynopsisAn introduction to France for anyone visiting with birds in mind, from casual birdwatchers checking a bird that flies over the terrace during a family holiday to addict birders who would sell their souls for a dream species or a record-breaking checklist. Some may have just a few spare hours to get their binoculars out between business meetings or museum visits, others will be out in the field for two weeks or more, from sunrise to sunset. The authors wrote this book for all bird lovers, birdwatchers and birders, whatever the duration of their stay, the number of kilometres they are prepared to travel and how they enjoy birds. With over 400 regularly occurring species, of which 357 normally breed or winter, France has one of the most diverse avifaunas of the whole of Europe, spanning an incredible range from colourful Mediterranean flagship species such as roller, bee-eater or black-winged kite to secretive cold-climate or mountain specialists like three-toed woodpecker and Tengmalm’s owl. The Birdfinder section provides targeted details for 30 species which often rank in the top wish-list of birders visiting France. Dividing the country into 14 regions, the authors highlight 312 representative sites, chosen for their bird species composition and ease of access. The selected sites enable the reader to see the widest possible species diversity and largest range of local specialities in a reasonable time, while respecting the basic ethical rules obvious to all birdwatchers. Whenever possible, sites are arranged in clusters or itineraries that can be covered in two to three days without hurrying. To supplement the use of the book in the field, all the sites described are geolocated in a file that can be downloaded from the publisher’s website and loaded onto any GPS device.Trade ReviewRarely it is possible to find a naturalistic guide with this abundance of information on the roads to drive or to walk and the bird species that may be observed. The novelty of this book is that all the sites are geolocated in a file that can be downloaded from the publisher’s website and loaded onto any GPS device. … Everybody who has planned a naturalistic trip to France must place in the luggage this book! -- Bruno Massa * Avocetta *Extremely well documented, detailed and illustrated, this new guide, created by three well-known French ornithologists, covers all the sites of France interesting to one degree or another for the birds. -- Jean Marc Thiollay * Ornithos *A great solution is to download a GPS file from the publisher's website, which makes it easier to navigate to destinations. The GPS file opens in Google Earth and Google Maps; Maps.me, recommended by the authors, is a great application for accessing and editing on your smartphone. -- Matti Sillanpaa * Linnut *I would highly recommend Where to Watch Birds in France as a well thought out book that collates and easily directs you to interesting bird spots that you might not have found outside of local guides or websites. The authors and contributors have definitely written something that they would want to use themselves and this certainly feels like a guide designed by bird watchers for bird watchers! -- Katharine Bowgen * British Trust for Ornithology *This new guide to birdwatching in France .... wins with its modern layout and sophisticated combination of printing and electronic information. 312 of the best observation areas are presented in 466 clearly arranged maps, on which the most important places are marked as "waypoints". These can be downloaded from the internet to a GPS device. .... The references to specific observation sites are very precise. * Ornis *All you could want in a birdfinding guide, with lots of maps and just the right level of detail, all in a very compact package. -- Grant McCreary * The Birder's Library *A must have for those birding France. -- Ian Paulsen * Birdbooker Report *There is no doubt that a huge effort has gone into this book, which can now be considered the definitive resource for the country’s travelling or visiting birders. * Fatbirder *An ideal tool for any trip to France, whether for the specific aim of birdwatching or for some other purpose that allows a quick escape. -- José Luis Copete * Ardeola *A monumental step in making more of this country’s bird life accessible to visitors… The amount of detailed information for each site is a marvel… A major contribution to the bird-finding literature for western Europe. -- Rick Wright * American Birding Association *Table of ContentsSymbol chart Foreword Preface Acknowledgements Introduction Regions at a glance Practical information Birdwatching in France Region 1 – Paris and the Seine Reservoirs Region 2 – From the North Sea to the Somme Bay and the western Ardennes Region 3 – Normandy Region 4 – Brittany Region 5 – The Loire Valley Region 6 – Poitou-Charentes and the Vendée Region 7 – Aquitaine Region 8 – The Pyrenees Region 9 – Western Mediterranean Coast and the Cévennes Region 10 – Eastern Mediterranean Coast, Southern Alps and Corsica Region 11 – Jura and the Alps Region 12 – Massif Central Region 13 – Burgundy Region 14 – Northeast Birdfinder Checklist Site index

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