Wildlife: birds and birdwatching: general interest Books

Book SynopsisGet the New Edition of Florida’s Best-Selling Bird Guide Learn to identify birds in Florida, and make bird-watching even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, bird identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This book features 146 species of Florida birds organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don’t know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Book Features: 146 species: Only Florida birds Simple color guide: See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section Compare feature: Decide between look-alikes Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning full-page images This new edition includes more species, updated photographs and range maps, revised information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Birds of Florida Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.Table of ContentsIntroduction What’s New? Why Watch Birds in Florida? Observation Strategies: Tips to Identify Birds Bird Basics Bird Color Variables Bird Nests Who Builds the Nest? Fledging Why Birds Migrate How Do Birds Migrate? How to Use This Guide Range Maps Sample Pages The Birds Black Black and White Blue Brown Gray Green Orange Red White Yellow Birding on the Internet Checklist/Index by Species Observation Notes More for the South by Stan Tekiela About the Author

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Book SynopsisGet the New Edition of the Dakotas’ Best-Selling Bird Guide Learn to identify birds in North Dakota and South Dakota, and make bird-watching even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, bird identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This book features 131 species of North and South Dakota birds organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don’t know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Book Features: 131 species: Only North Dakota and South Dakota birds Simple color guide: See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section Compare feature: Decide between look-alikes Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning full-page images This new edition includes more species, updated photographs and range maps, revised information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Birds of the Dakotas Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.Table of ContentsIntroduction What’s New? Why Watch Birds in North Dakota and South Dakota? Observation Strategies: Tips to Identify Birds Bird Basics Bird Color Variables Bird Nests Who Builds the Nest? Fledging Why Birds Migrate How Do Birds Migrate? How to Use This Guide Range Maps Sample Pages The Birds Black Black and White Blue Brown Gray Green Orange Red White Yellow Birding on the Internet Checklist/Index by Species Observation Notes More by Stan Tekiela About the Author

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Book SynopsisGet the New Edition of California’s Best-Selling Bird Guide Learn to identify birds in California, and make bird-watching even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous field guide, bird identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This book features 176 species of California birds organized by color for ease of use. Do you see a yellow bird and don’t know what it is? Go to the yellow section to find out. Book Features: 176 species: Only California birds Simple color guide: See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section Compare feature: Decide between look-alikes Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning full-page images This new edition includes more species, updated photographs and range maps, revised information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Birds of California Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.Table of ContentsIntroduction What’s New? Why Watch Birds in California? Observation Strategies: Tips to Identify Birds Bird Basics Bird Color Variables Bird Nests Who Builds the Nest? Fledging Why Birds Migrate How Do Birds Migrate? How to Use This Guide Range Maps Sample Pages The Birds Black Black and White Blue Brown Gray Green Orange Red White Yellow Birding on the Internet Checklist/Index by Species Observation Notes More by Stan Tekiela About the Author

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Book SynopsisPlan your landscape or garden with more than 100 native plants that benefit Northeastern birds, bees, and butterflies. The presence of birds, bees, and butterflies suggests a healthy, earth-friendly place. These most welcome guests also bring joy to those who appreciate watching them. Now, you can turn your yard into a perfect habitat that attracts them and, more importantly, helps them thrive. Acclaimed author and expert entomologist Jaret C. Daniels provides all the information you need in this must-have guide for Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Learn how to landscape and create pollinator gardens with native plants. The book begins with an in-depth introduction to native pollinators and to birds. It’s followed by a “field guide” section to more than 100 native plants that are widely available to utilize, are easy to care for, and provide great benefit to birds, bees, and butterflies. The species are organized by level of sunlight needed and then by plant types. Each species includes full-color photographs and information about hardiness zones, what they are most likely to attract, soil requirements, light levels, and Jaret’s notes. As an added bonus, you’ll make use of blooming charts, tips on attracting specific species, and more! Plus, the invaluable garden plans and projects show you just what to do and can be customized to suit your own specific interests. Plan, plant, and grow your beautiful garden, with native plants that benefit your favorite creatures to watch and enjoy.Table of ContentsIntroduction Hardiness Map Inventorying Your Yard When to Plant Eliminating Existing Weeds Plant Selection Plant Placement Plant Diversity Quick Plant Reference Chart Blooming Chart by Month Trees & Shrubs Guide Garden Plans Creating Nesting Sites for Birds Creating Nesting Sites for Insects/Bees Caterpillar/Butterfly Host Chart Best Plants for Butterflies, Bees, and Birds About the Author

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Book SynopsisIdentify Massachusetts birds with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by color and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Make bird-watching in Massachusetts even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous bird guide, field identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. This handy book features 132 species of Massachusetts birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes. Inside you’ll find: 132 species: Only Massachusetts birds! Simple color guide: See a yellow bird? Go to the yellow section Stan’s Notes: Naturalist tidbits and facts Professional photos: Crisp, stunning images This second edition includes 11 new species, updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab Birds of Massachusetts Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the birds that you see.Table of ContentsIntroduction What’s New? Why Watch Birds in Massachusetts? Observation Strategies: Tips for Identifying Birds Bird Basics Bird Color Variables Bird Nests Who Builds the Nest? Fledging Why Birds Migrate How Birds Migrate How to Use This Guide Range Maps Sample Pages The Birds Black Black and White Blue Brown Gray Green Orange Red White Yellow Birding on the Internet Checklist/Index by Species About the Author

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Book SynopsisIdentify West Virginia birds with this easy-to-use field guide, organized by color and featuring full-color photographs and helpful information. Make birdwatching in West Virginia even more enjoyable. With Stan Tekiela’s famous bird guides, field identification is simple and informative. There’s no need to look through dozens of photos of birds that don’t live in your area. The Birds of West Virginia Field Guide features 124 species of West Virginia birds organized by color for ease of use. Full-page photographs present the species as you’ll see them in nature, and a “compare” feature helps you to decide between look-alikes. This second edition includes 8 new species, updated photographs and range maps, expanded information, and even more of Stan’s expert insights. So grab the Birds of West Virginia Field Guide for your next birding adventure—to help ensure that you positively identify the bir

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Book SynopsisWhether you're a dedicated and serious birder, a hobbyist bird watcher, or simply a lover of nature, getting great photos of birds is at the top of the list for bird lovers of all kinds. In this book, professional photographer Rosl Rossner teaches you all of her techniques, tips, and tricks for capturing fantastic bird photographs. Starting with the gear you'll need, Rossner discusses cameras, tripods, lenses, and more. She then moves on to finding the birds you want to photograph. While this includes locations out in the wild, she also covers zoos, parks, sanctuaries, and other easily accessible spots-which are especially great for beginning bird photographers. Rossner then thoroughly covers the camera and shooting techniques you need to know, including key lessons on exposure, composition, focus, and sharpness. Regardless of the quality of the light (front light, side light, etc.) or the season you're shooting in (rain, snow, fog), Rossner's got you covered. In the final part of the book, Rossner takes you behind the scenes of 25 unique bird photographs, telling you how the image came about, plus any specific tips and tricks that were used to create the image. Featuring birds from around the world, The Beginner's Guide to Photographing Birds is a beautiful, helpful, and accessible guide for anyone getting started in bird photography.

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Book SynopsisThis brand new photographic field guide to the birds of southern Africa presents more than 2500 images showing a wide selection of age and sex plumage variations, perched and in-flight birds, and color morphs where relevant, making it the most comprehensive collection of bird photographs of the region ever produced in a single volume. Accompanying text focuses on identification, call, status, breeding details and diet. Also included for each species is a distribution map and a calendar bar indicating occurrence and breeding months.

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Book SynopsisThe fastest animal alive, the falcon deserves attention not just for the combination of speed, power, beauty and ferocity that has made it an object of fascination for thousands of years, but for the light it sheds on the cultures through which it has flown. This book, bridging science and cultural history, surveys the practical and symbolic uses of falcons in human culture in new and exciting ways. Bestselling natural history writer Helen Macdonald follows the movements of the falcon, her personal experience and knowledge of falconry enriching the history and lore of this bird of prey. She ranges across the globe and over many millennia, taking in natural history, myth and legend, falconry, science and conservation, and falcons in the military, in urban settings and the corporate world. Along the way we discover how falcons were mobilized in secret military projects, their links with espionage, the Third Reich and the space programme, and even how they have featured in erotic stories. Originally published in 2006, this revised 2016 edition features a new introduction. Combining in-depth practical, personal and scientific knowledge, Macdonald offers a fascinating account of the place of these birds in human history. Falcon is for lovers of the countryside, birdwatchers or anyone who has ever wondered why falcons are so compelling.Trade Review'While presenting the falcon as a creature superbly adapted to its environment, Macdonald's scientific but lyrical study also celebrates its mythical, cultural and iconic significance' The Times '[a] marvellous book' The Spectator 'This is a wonderful book ... Macdonald writes beautifully and with a refreshing clarity.' The Falconer

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Book SynopsisWoodpeckers are among the most remarkable birds in the avian world, having evolved a unique anatomy that enables them to peck and bore into solid timber both to find food and to create nesting cavities. They have been considered symbols of fertility, security, strength, power, prophecy, magic, rhythm, medicine and carpentry, and have been esteemed as the guardians of woodlands, tree surgeons, fire-bringers, weather forecasters and boat-builders. Highly regarded woodpecker expert Gerard Gorman delves into the natural and cultural history of woodpeckers, presenting their natural, social and cultural history. He explores their origins and where they are found, and how they have fascinated humankind throughout history, from ancient Babylon, Greece and Rome, via the tribes of North America and the jungles of Amazonia and Borneo, to the modern cartoon rascal Woody Woodpecker. He describes how they feature in folk tales, myths and legends wherever they occur, and how their fluctuating relationship with humans has developed. Featuring many stunning photographs and illustrations from both nature and culture, Woodpecker will appeal to anyone who is interested in these extraordinary birds.

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Book SynopsisDid you know that Penguins have wings and feathers but they can’t fly? Instead they have evolved into the most efficient swimmers and divers of all birds. Even on land penguins are surprisingly agile and can travel vast distances on foot or by ‘toboganning’, sliding on their stomachs over the ice’ propelled by their wings and feet. Penguins is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these intriguing animals in their natural habitat. You’ll discover how penguins survive the frozen Antarctic; their short outer feathers overlap, like tiles on a roof, to form a thick waterproof layer, and underneath are fluffier feathers for warmth. They also huddle together to keep warm. How do penguins sleep? They take short naps during the day and evening. They have the unique ability to sleep while standing up or in the water. Penguins features a variety of species, from the Emperor, Chinstrap and Adelie penguins in the Antarctic to the Magellanic, Southern Rockhopper and Yellow- crested Macaroni penguins of Chile. With full captions explaining how these animals hunt and feed, rear their young and cope with such adverse weather conditions, Penguins is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs of this fascinating animal.Table of ContentsIntroduction Great penguins King penguin Emperor penguin Brush-tailed penguins Adélie penguin Chinstrap penguin Gentoo penguin Little penguins Little blue penguin Australian little penguin White-flippered penguin Banded penguins Magellanic penguin Humboldt penguin Galapagos penguin African penguin Large diver penguins Yellow-eyed penguin Waitaha penguin Crested penguins Fiordland penguin Snares penguin Erect-crested penguin Southern rockhopper penguin Eastern rockhopper penguin Northern rockhopper penguin Royal penguin Macaroni penguin Chatham penguin

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Book Synopsis'A revelation for anyone with the slightest interest in the feathered friends visiting their gardens' - Garden NewsYou don't have to be a dedicated birdwatcher to be a bird lover. Millions of us love the sight and sound of them. And yet most of us know very little about their remarkable behaviour, incredible diversity and the story of their evolution. This handbook sets about answering every interesting question there is to ask about birds.How do migrating birds know where to go?Are birds really descended from dinosaurs?How do birds have sex?There are over 10,000 species in the world, including over 500 in Britain, some rare and endangered, some bizarre and beautiful, others common and familiar. As this captivating and often humorous handbook reveals, all of them are fascinating.Filled with beautiful illustrations, The Curious Bird Lover's Handbook is perfect for experienced twitchers and those who are simply captivated by the beauty of birds and would like to learn more about them.-The hardback edition titled "Bald Coot and Screaming Loon" was published in 2009. This paperback edition has been updated and includes a new foreword from the author.Trade ReviewFascinating for anyone with an inquisitive mind and a love of wildlife in general * Friends of the Earth Magazine *An irresistible package * The Eden Magazine *A revelation for anyone with the slightest interest in the feathered friends visiting their gardens... With more than 1,000 facts, figures and fables, it's an ideal stocking filler for bird lovers. * Garden News *

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Book SynopsisThis book considers the natural history and cultural symbolism of a most unusual woodpecker – a species that neither excavates nest holes in trees, nor bores into wood to find insect prey. The Wryneck is best renowned for performing a twisting, writhing head and neck display when threatened, but this ground-breaking work reveals many more secrets of its behaviour and evolution. Detailed information is presented on the species' origins, taxonomy, anatomy, appearance, moult, calls, distribution, conservation status, habitats, movements, breeding, diet and relationships, along with a chapter on its closest relative, the Red-throated Wryneck. The text is richly illustrated throughout with high quality photographs as well as sound spectrograms. The author augments his many hours watching Wrynecks with comprehensive literature research, creating what is surely the definitive volume on the species. This all-encompassing and engaging account has been written for a wide audience, whether professional ornithologist, citizen scientist, amateur birder, woodpecker aficionado or simply someone who wishes to learn more about this curious and remarkable bird.Trade ReviewThoroughly researched and illustrated with many superb photographs, paintings and figures...Undoubtedly this comprehensive book will be the standard reference for birders, scientists, citizen scientists and naturalists who want to learn about the wryneck. -- Daniel Alder * Independent Ecologist and Researcher *The Wryneck is a thoroughly researched, comprehensive, well-written and beautifully illustrated portrait of these enigmatic birds. -- Linda Smith * British Trust for Ornithology *Entertaining and authoritative…The species' behaviour, its diet, its worldwide distribution, its favoured habitats and its place in folklore and mythology are all covered in absorbing detail. -- Jim Wright * The Heron – Lincolnshire Bird Club *This is a book that tells the story of an amazing species that used to be a common British breeding bird - the poet John Clare wrote a poem about them having watched them breeding in Cambridgeshire in 1835, for example. The Wryneck is now a passage migrant in Britain, especially in the autumn. Gerard Gorman (Mr Woodpecker!) has a wide experience of this species (even putting up nestboxes for them in his area of Hungary), and here he gives them the same close attention he did the woodpeckers of the world in a previous book. I found it very useful, as I have actually found the bird in spring below my house, and hope for its return as a British breeding species in future years. -- John Miles * Chick Books *...thoroughly recommended as an enjoyable way to increase your understanding of what is an iconic bird. -- Ed Stubbs * Birdguides.com *For woodpecker enthusiasts and anyone interested in how birds exploit distinctive ecological niches, as well as for birders who have or hope to see wrynecks when in the Old World, this finely illustrated book is a valuable resource. -- Roger F. Pasquier, The Wilson Journal of OrnithologyThe text tries to answer not only the questions introduced by the words when, where and how, but also tries to get to the bottom of the most interesting and fundamental moments that we usually prefix with why. So, if you have any questions about the wryneck... browse through this publication. I believe that you will be interested and that you will learn something new. -- Petr Procházka, Sylvia: Czech Journal of OrnithologyGorman skilfully writes a book based on an extensive scientific bibliography and enriches it with personal observations coming from his experience and long time spent observing the species in the field. As a result of this combination, the book is enjoyable to read and understandable by a very wide audience. -- Letizia Campioni, Avocetta Journal of OrnithologyTable of ContentsAbout the author Acknowledgements Preface 1. Origins and Taxonomy 2. Anatomy and Morphology 3. Description and Identification 4. Moult, Ageing and Sexing 5. The Red-throated Wryneck 6. Communication 7. Distribution, Trends and Status 8. Habitats 9. Challenges and Conservation 10. Behaviour 11. Flight, Movements and Migration 12. Breeding 13. Cavities 14. Foraging and Food 15. Relationships 16. Folklore, Mythology and Symbolism References Index

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Book SynopsisIs there any bird as dishonest as the Fork-tailed Drongo? Did you know that the Tawny Eagle is an 'obligate Cainist'? And what of the irresistible-to-predators and highly cryptic Spotted Thick-knee? East Africa’s birds are extraordinary in their evolution, diversity and behaviour, often proving to be the unexpected highlight of a safari. Lavishly illustrated with beautiful photographs of each species, this book tells the fascinating, surprising, amusing stories of 101 regularly encountered birds – whether iconic or unjustly overlooked. In the process, the reader is introduced to ornithology in East Africa through the eyes of a passionate birder and professional ornithologist. Filling a niche between field guide and textbook, 101 Curious Tales of East African Birds offers a wealth of information, including insights on the evolution of birds, the distributions and migrations of species, bird adaptations and senses, their lifecycle, ecology and conservation, as well as cultural and historical associates – each collated and referenced with the latest scientific papers. The author's deep understanding of this region's avifauna ensures that there will be new and engaging material for all, whether you have a general interest in wildlife or are a dedicated birder.Trade Review...finely honed essays about the interesting biology of species that you might well see if you were birding in East Africa... what an excellent book this is. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaignerThere is a good mix of birds featured for you to find out a wealth of curious facts about, along with two colour photos of each species. Very enjoyable. -- John Miles, birdwatching.co.ukFascinating... The text is written in such a way that sometimes-complicated science is presented in a clear, concise and consumable way, while the inclusion of the beautiful photographs and sheer variety of topics covered means this title will appeal to many. -- Stephen Menzie * British Birds *

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Book Synopsis‘I remember well my first Bewick’s swans, which I bumped into one November day not far from home. They looked at me, unsure whether or not to fly into the fog, as I tried to get as close as I dared. … What is it, exactly, that can, many years later, recall such emotionally charged birding moments so vividly to mind? I can’t really remember my birthdays at all, but my first green woodpecker and my first jay are firmly embedded. And with some of these things, the place it happened is equally important.’ With its mix of memoir, gentle advice and enthusiastic advocacy, this book sets out a case for purposeful birdwatching. Along the way, it explains how to make your birding more enjoyable, fulfilling and worthwhile. Using ideas and techniques from his five decades of experience, Rob Hume reveals how an ever-enquiring approach to observation of the natural world can yield unexpected treasures – whether this be something rare or simply new details concealed in the apparently everyday. From the basics of equipment and methods, through the mysteries of seawatching, to special insights on the likes of honey-buzzards and goshawks, and a focus on some iconic sites, his breadth of knowledge ensures there is something for every curious birder. Illuminatingly illustrated throughout with the author’s sketches and fieldnotes, at its heart this is a call to appreciate birds for themselves, as individuals and as species, and not merely as numbers on a list. It will help lead beginners towards a practical and more satisfying hobby, while also being of great interest to experienced birders who will relate to the content through their own experiences.Trade ReviewThis is a lovely book... If all those who look through binoculars were as thoughtful as this author, and wrote as well, the world, and the world of birding, would be a better place. A very good read. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaignerTable of ContentsPreface What is birdwatching, anyway? What to do with your interest in birds Buy a good book Get a notebook and pen Distribution, habitats and time of year Colour and light Early days More good days, bad days, ordinary days Waxwings Some dusk encounters Soaring birds and birds of prey Local patches Wonderful Wales – Croeso i Gymru Superlative Scotland Great shrikes If at first…

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Book Synopsis'A joyful, poetic hymn to spring... Dee is one of our greatest living nature writers' ObserverOne December, in midsummer South Africa, Tim Dee was watching swallows. They were at home there, but the same birds would soon begin journeying north to Europe, where their arrival marks the beginning of spring. Greenery recounts how Tim Dee tries to follow the season and its migratory birds, making remarkable journeys in the Sahara, the Straits of Gibraltar, Sicily, Britain, and finally by the shores of the Arctic Ocean in northern Scandinavia. On each adventure, he is in step with the very best days of the year - the time of song and nests and eggs, of buds and blossoms and leafing.'A masterpiece... I can't imagine I'll ever stop thinking about it' Max Porter'Fascinating, horizon-expanding, life-enhancing' Lucy Jones, author of Losing EdenTrade ReviewA joyful, poetic hymn to spring...[by] one of our greatest living nature writers... Greenery is an education in looking at, and loving, nature… It is a lesson in how to love the world, in how to look at it, and behind everything there beats a deeper message: that spring cannot exist without winter, that life needs death to define it. -- Alex Preston * Observer *This book has changed the way I think about seasons and migration, humans and birds, time and life. He is a virtuoso handler of sound, knowledge and language. It's a masterpiece. I can't imagine I'll ever stop thinking about it. -- Max PorterA masterpiece of nature writing… No one else in the genre shows anything like Dee’s command of prose, tone, voice, pace, depth and phrasing… It’s the sort of book that, in its expressive power, its creativity, the richness of its humanity, might make the world worth saving. -- Richard Smyth * New Statesman *“Nature Writing”, says the classification on the back. Partly true. He’s good at that. But leaving it there is a bit like saying that Wordsworth was a gardener and Springsteen is a harmonica player. Dee is one of our best living writers of non-fiction, and Greenery...is perhaps his best book yet… It couldn’t be more timely. -- Michael Kerr * Daily Telegraph *A superb nature writer… Miraculous… Ardent, playful, quietly subversive – this is how Dee has always written, but his originality and learning mean he never needs to resort to the devotional swooning that has always plagued writing about the non-human world… It’s a deeply affecting [ending]… The effect is like a painter’s varnish, deepening shadows but intensifying colours. You go back to the start. -- William Atkins * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThe hawk was everything I wanted to be: solitary, self-possessed, free from grief, and numb to the hurts of human life. How do we carry on when someone close to us dies? Is it simply a case of putting one foot in front of the other in a bleak new world or do we need something more? Reeling with grief after the sudden death of her father, Helen Macdonald found herself turning to the wild for comfort. With breathtaking honesty and insight, she recounts her months spent taming a goshawk and how, finally, this strange kinship led her to the first tentative steps to recovery. Selected from H is for Hawk VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS. A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human. Discover the Vintage Minis ‘Head Space’ series: Therapy by Stephen Grosz Family by Mark HaddonTrade ReviewThey look good and read well. That’s win/win in our book * Stylist *Literature for the Twitter generation * Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisKingfishers are a sight to behold. The dash and verve of this cosmopolitan bird has been admired for millennia, appearing in creation myths, imperial regalia and cultural iconography, and they were once valued as highly as gold. Artists used their iridescent feathers in Tian-tsui, an iconic style of Chinese fine art, for more than 2,400 years. The magnificent temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia owe their existence in part to the great wealth generated by the live kingfisher trade from the Indochina Peninsula. As a muse, kingfishers have influenced philosophers, playwrights and artists, from the Roman poet Ovid to Carl Jung, Charles Darwin and others, while more recently bio-mimicry engineers have turned to kingfishers for inspiration. This beautifully illustrated book delves into the origins and diversity of the more than 120 species of kingfishers, from the burly kookaburras to the diminutive birds that daringly pluck spiders off webs, defining their characteristics, their differences, their lifestyles and their cultural significance around the world.

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Book SynopsisAvian Illuminations examines the many roles birds have played in human society, from food, messengers, deities and pets, to omens, muses, timekeepers, custodians, hunting companions, decorative motifs and, most importantly, embodiments of our aspirations. It narrates the history of our relationships with a host of birds including crows, owls, parrots, falcons, eagles, nightingales, hummingbirds, and many more. Along the way the book describes how birds’ nesting has symbolised human romance, how their flight has inspired inventors throughout history, and concludes by showing that the interconnections between birds and humans are so manifold that a world without birds would effectively mean an end to human culture itself. Beautifully illustrated, this is a superb overview of our long and rich association with our feathered friends.Trade ReviewThe wonderful Avian Illuminations traces in rich and fascinating detail the cultural relationships between humans and birds through history, philosophy, religion and art. This is a book for difficult times—it entertains, educates, elucidates and, in its assessment of what might be necessary to repair a damaged world, gives us hope.'-Esther Woolfson, author of 'Corvus: A Life with Birds' (2009) and 'Between Light and Storm: How We Live with Other Species' (2020) 'Boria Sax has long been my most trusted guide to understanding the complex relationships between humans and animals. In Avian Illuminations, I feel very fortunate to follow his wonderful mind once again as he weaves a complex portrait of the symbolic richness of our portrayals of birds throughout history and myth.', Ceridwen Dovey, author of 'Blood Kin' (2007) and 'Only the Animals' (2014) 'From Homer to Harry Potter and Plato to Rachel Carlson, Boria Sax provides a masterful overview of the role of birds in human cultural and psychological life. Drawing on history, literature, mythology and art, Avian Illuminations is a beautifully written intellectual treat that will delight anyone interested in the feathered creatures we share our world with.'-Hal Herzog, Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina, and author of 'Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals' 'Birds have provided models in almost every aspect of human culture. Their songs inspired our music; their courtship rituals, our dance; their plumage, our fashion . . . Avian Illuminations by Boria Sax covers the vast range of practices that diverse cultures have taken from birds with extraordinary thoroughness. It also goes beyond listing the colorful array of practices and motifs in isolation to show how they have provided much of the emotional and intellectual foundation of human culture.'-Roberto Marchesini, Director, Centro Studi Filosofia Postumanista (Center for Posthuman Philosophy), and author of 'Over the Human: Post-humanism and the Concept of Animal Epiphany' 'A fascinating exploration of those ecstatic moments when a human becomes enraptured by contemplation of a bird – moments which, as Boria Sax explains, can approach a religious level of intensity. I never imagined that birds had occupied so many roles in human lives and imaginings and through such a deep swath of history. An inspiring and fascinating read.'-Clive Wynne, Professor of Psychology and Animal Studies, University of Arizona, co-author of 'Animal Cognition', and author of 'Dog is Love' 'In Avian Illuminations, Boria Sax, with the deep probing intellect of a renaissance scholar, reveals how human culture has been informed and shaped by birds. His history covers thousands of years and has something special for everyone, whether a poet, artist, historian, folklorist, falconer or birder.'-John Marzluff, author of 'Welcome to Surbirdia', 'Gifts of the Crow' and 'In Search of Meadowlarks'

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Book SynopsisOne of the Guardian's Best Paperbacks of November 'Astonishing ... If by chance you can't meet these 6,042 species yourself, this book is a close second' Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds 'Even readers who wouldn't know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed' Publishers Weekly Noah Strycker set himself a goal: to become the first person to see half the world's 10,000 species of bird in one year. With an itinerary covering 41 countries, spanning all seven continents, and armed with a backpack, binoculars and a series of one-way tickets, he sets out on the greatest adventure in the birding world. Along the way he meets a colourful cast of fellow birders - and discovers a world of blood-sucking leeches, chronic sleep deprivation, floods, war zones, ecologic devastation and conservation triumphs. Vivid, charming and full of wonder, Birding Without Borders is a celebration of passion, exploration and the birders' ethos that, if you keep your eyes and mind open, you never know what you might see.Trade ReviewThe world's greatest birdwatcher * Independent *Lighthearted and filled with stories of exotic birds, risky adventures and colorful birding companions. * New York Times Book Review *Even readers who wouldn't know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed by Strycker's achievement and appreciate the passion with which he pursues his interest. * Publishers Weekly *Strycker's description of a year 'expanded to its maximum potential' will inspire readers to explore the world, "from the tiniest detail to the biggest panorama." ... Colorful but unassuming-and unexpected-lessons for living life fully, presented from a birder's-eye view. -- STARRED * Kirkus Reviews *What an astonishing peregrination. If by chance you can't meet these 6,042 species yourself, this book is a close second. Strycker is the perfect companion-smart, thoughtful, intrepid, and at times, very very funny. I loved the birds and the people he met and was sorry when his journey was over. -- Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of BirdsEvery generation has a few naturalist-writers who have a spirit as unlimited as their talent-that's Noah Strycker. The sheer demographics of his travels are mind boggling; he stretches life to the limits, and he has an ability to describe incidents of travel, landscapes, and people with splendid and self-deprecating intimacy. This book goes to the top of my life-list. -- Howard Norman, author of My Darling DetectiveNoah Strycker is a fantastic birder, savvy traveler, and astute observer. Best of all, though, he is a fine writer. I really enjoyed this book. -- Mark Obmascik, author of The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl ObsessionNoah Strycker's ark is big enough for six thousand birds-and then some!-but just as impressive is the way this gifted gatherer makes room for wonder, joy, and friendship found in far-flung places. This is one of those rare, beautiful books that enlarges the world with adventure and makes it feel, at the same time, like a mysteriously intimate place, inhabited by good people in love with the natural world willing to help a stranger on his extraordinary journey. -- Jonathan Rosen, author of The Life of the Skies: Birding at the end of NatureBirding Without Borders is an absolute tour de force. Every birder knows the day-dream lure of exotic species from far-away places, but Noah Stryker turned that dream into the greatest birding adventure of all time. The story of his round-the-world Big Year is one of joy, adrenaline, exhaustion, discovery, and a global fellowship of those for whom, like Noah, birds are everything. I guarantee it will make you want to grab your binoculars and your passport, too. -- Scott Weidensaul, author of Living on the WindBirding without Borders is about bird nerdery taken to a magnificent, even beautiful extreme. Noah Strycker goes from country to country seeking out five thousand species of birds, and that quest is an adventure in itself. Armchair birders like myself, watching a Pygmy Nuthatch watching me, can appreciate the passion and courage that Noah displays. -- Craig Newmark, founder of CraigslistHighly recommended for anyone interested in travel, natural history, and adventure. * Library Journal *PRAISE FOR THE MAGIC & MYSTERY OF BIRDS: -- . * . *Mr. Strycker has the ability to write about the worlds of man and fowl without simplifying either. ... He thinks like a biologist but writes like a poet, and one of the small pleasures of [The Magic & Mystery of Birds] is watching him distill empirical research into lyrical imagery. ... Part the palm fronds behind his sentences, and you can almost see the British naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough standing there in a pith helmet, smiling with amused approval at Mr. Strycker's off-center sensibility. * Wall Street Journal *[The Magic & Mystery of Birds] turns a shrewd, comparative eye on a succession of bird families to explore what [Strycker] calls their 'human' characteristics ... This is an engaging work which illuminates something profound about all life, including our own. * Economist *[Strycker] combines the latest in ornithological science with snippets of history and his own vast experience in the field to hatch a thoroughly entertaining examination of bird behavior ... In Strycker's absorbing survey, we find out how much fun it is simply to watch them. -- STARRED * Booklist *One of the best bird books you'll read this decade. Guaranteed. * BirdWatching *[The Magic & Mystery of Birds] will encourage you to take a closer look at the natural world around you, and perhaps learn more not only about what you see but who you are. * Seattle Times *

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Book SynopsisThe humble chicken has conquered the world. This unlikely descendant of Tyrannosaurus Rex is now so ubiquitous there are more than 20 billion chickens pecking, strutting and scratching around the planet at any one time. And yet, of all animals, the chicken perhaps best represents the contradictory way we humans treat other species: both beloved pet and cheap commodity, symbol of a sustainable good life and brutalised object of factory farming. Sally Coulthard charts the chicken’s fascinating journey from dinosaur to domestication, exploring every aspect of the history of Gallus gallus domesticus. As informative as it is entertaining, Fowl Play tells a remarkable tale of evolutionary change, epic global travel and ruthless exploitation – as well as of companionship, ingenuity and the folly of human nature.Trade ReviewCharming and illuminating... A fascinating history, light on moralising but rich in fancythat details. It may put you off your capon nuggets, but it will give you a good story to share with the parson's nose * Mail on Sunday *Wonderfully entertaining and informative -- Tim Birkhead, author of Birds and Us[A] marvellously complete and utter history of chickens... Hen-like herself, Ms Coulthard, a smallholder, has left no stone unturned in a book as well-researched and wide-ranging as it is written. From the first page to the last, Fowl Play is as smooth as chicken supreme * Country Life *My first reaction was that this was an extraordinary book to have been written, but then I came to wonder how it had not been written before, so interesting is the subject -- Michael PortilloA playful, entertaining and satisfyingly informative study of this humble bird and the integral and varied roles it played thoughout human history accross the world... Thoroughly researched and engagingly written... A great read * Archaeology Worldwide Magazine *PRAISE FOR SALLY COULTHARD: 'Full of fascinating social history' Independent. 'Global in scope, with fascinating vignettes from the ancient world to the present day' BBC History Magazine. 'A snappy, stimulating book' Mail on Sunday. 'Many wonderful tales unearthed by Coulthard... A smart little book' BBC Countryfile Magazine. 'One of our favourite books of the year' * Yorkshire Post *...a beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird -- Professor Bob Davis, University of GlasgowA fascinating read * This England *'I always look forward to reading Coulthard's work. Not only is she exceptionally well-read, but she communicates extremely well. Fowl Play is no exception' * Get History *A beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird * Professor Bob Davis, University of Glasgow *Sally Coulthard’s fascinating new book…charts humanity’s relationship with the chicken down the centuries * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisTravel the world to a variety of amazing locations – from jungle to desert to woodland to ocean and see if you can spot the birds that are hiding there. It's harder than you think! Travel the world to a variety of amazing locations – from jungle to desert to woodland to ocean and see if you can spot the birds that are hiding there. It's harder than you think! The brilliant and highly successful wildlife artist, Matt Sewell has now created his first ever children's book and it's amazing! The locations and birds are brought to life in wonderful detail, and there's so much to see on every page. As well as having fun spotting the birds, you'll also learn about the different species and where they live – then maybe you'll also spot them in real life on your travels! Get twitching, get spotting, have fun!Trade Review'A beautifully illustrated book packed with fun facts' * Creative Steps *

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Book SynopsisDuring the last decade, the osprey has risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes - once extinct in Britain, now returned as a powerful symbol of hope. The opreys' story is a moving tale of triumph over adversity. Their slow but sure resurgence has attracted huge public interest and support; that of one bird in particular, Lady, at 25, Britain's oldest breeding osprey, has tugged at the world's heartstrings.For the past twenty years, Lady has made the 3000-mile journey from Africa back to Scotland, her nest and her mate. In March 2010, she produced an egg for a record-breaking 20th year; despite her weakened state throughout that summer, and with the stalwart assistance of her youthful mate, the chicks fledged successfully. But how many more times can Lady defy the odds; will the spring see her return, as, happily, it will so many other ospreys?Trade ReviewArmitage's delightful little book details [the ospreys'] conservation success story and pays loving tribute to the pioneering female osprey, Lady, who has certainly done her bit to swell the UK osprey population. ... As Armitage's affectionate book makes clear, Lady is one tough, magical, absolutely marvellous old bird. * Val Hennessy, Daily Mail *The autobiography of a Scottish osprey is set to be a best seller. * The Scotsman *An excellent read ... Covers a lot of stuff about the history of the osprey in Britain, and it [is] very well done. * RSPB community *I loved [this] book. It is an incredible story and written most beautifully. I learnt so much from reading it. * Rachel Portman OBE, Oscar-winning composer *A wonderful book ... an inspiring account. * Simon Milne, Chief Executive, Scottish Wildlife Trust *A penetrating andenchanting story that most likely will become a classic ... Armitage succeedsin highlighting today's strong commitment [to the osprey] among everyday peopleas well as in describing the sometimes dramatic background of the ospreypopulation's decrease and increase. Her story thus also becomes an interestingcontribution to the history of man's relationship with nature. In addition,which should not be underestimated, her account of the late summer of 2010 is areal nail-biter. * Svenska Dagbladet [leading Swedish national newspaper] *

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Book SynopsisYou thought he was retired, even dead? No, he is back! At the age of 86, Mike Tomkies is back doing what he does best - observing our rarest and most dramatic wildlife, unsuspected and from close quarters, and writing about it with the kind of intimate detail that has earned high acclaim from critics and conservationists. Within days of arriving back from five years of studying bears, wolves and lynxes in Spain, he is up a wild cliff in Cornwall watching three peregrine falcon chicks from hatching to flying stage. We can follow his astounding adventures over the next ten years as he obsessively searches all through Britain for that elusive 'small wild paradise' so many of us would also like to find. He lives in, but finally loses, no less than six new homes in that time and the complications and reasons why are both hilarious and sad. Even more fascinating is his continual obsessive quest to get up close and personal with nesting goshawks, buzzards and ospreys, as well as mammals like fishing otters, a fox family and he even feeds wild badgers by hand. At one remote farmhouse in the Borders, he learns how to handle a bulldozer, digs out his own 70-yard lake and stocks it with trout. Over three years there he raises ten barn owl chicks and establishes three breeding pairs in areas where they had long been absent. It was the most successful barn owl release at the time. There are many amusing anecdotes such as when he dreaded taking some of Prince Harry's classmates to 'otter bay' and then saw far more otters than when he had gone there on his own! Transcending all are his new studies and descriptions of hunting and nesting golden eagles, during which he passed his 3,050th hour in one of his home-made 'invisible' hides, and a huge female allowed him to bring much-needed meat to her chicks in their eyrie. The book ends with triumphant filming of the magnificent white-tailed sea eagles on Mull, hunting and sailing into their high nest with prey and feeding their chicks. Mike also achieved valuable publicity for the pioneering public sea eagle hide project on Mull.Trade Review'This, his latest in his series of autobiographical and wilderness classics, is as fast paced and breathtaking and has as many twists and turns as the best fictional thrillers. ... The detailed account of obtaining the chicks from a wildlife centre in Devon, building a home for them, rearing and feeding them, all the time ensuring they remain wild and do not become domesticated is one of my favourite parts of the book. This is one of those rare works of serious wildlife exploration and observation that deserves the accolade of being truly a page turner'. Am Bratach '...there are no less than 25 chapters in this current book but each have titles that capture the mind and makes you want to delve further into the author's inner thoughts. ...it his enthusiasm that comes over whatever he is doing from the commonplace to the heart-stopping... The author has the ability to express what is in his mind in a way that very few other authors share. ... This is a must for your bookshelves as it will really inspire you. Promise! ... The author, and Whittles Publishing, are to be congratulated on this latest addition.' Ray Collier, Highland News Group 'He continues to do what drives him, engaging in a lifelong journay to observe and record our rarest and most dramatic wildlife. Here is a natural adventurer undertaking an obsessive search for that elusive 'small wild paradise'. He recounts what he sees, photographs and films from six homes and several hides. These include a 3,050-hour stint watching for golden eagles and the successful filming of the white-tailed sea eagles on Mull. ...they are certainly part of a long and memorable journey.' Scottish Island Explorer 'Mike 's style has an attractively timeless quality... ...it will certainly appeal to his army of enthusiastic readers, while others less familiar with his earlier works will find an entracing picture of aspects of wildlife conservation in the UK today, as seen through the eyes of someone who lives much closer to his subject than most of us will ever manage'. Undiscovered Scotland '...is a tremendous book by a naturalist with many decades of first-hand experience of wildlife. In particular, the author must be as knowledgeable on the ways of the golden eagle as anyone in the UK. ... The author is a master of detail and description... Running Wild is a must for anyone with an interest in wildlife, especially in birds of prey. I have read the books of many nature writers, but Mike Tomkies has truly lived alongside his subject'. Wildlife Detective, The blog of Alan Stewart 'Interwined with his tales of seeking eagle eyries in our wildest placesare the detailed accounts of seeking out-of-the-way locations to call home... an entertaining read... Mike's stories are underpinned by his upbeat enthusiasm for his subject, and who could fail to crack a smile at his love affair with 'Camballo' his camper van.' Bird Guides '...describes more adventures of Mike Tomkies in his quest to film wildlife, particularly birds. It also contains some quite awe-inspiring descriptions of filming Golden Eagles in their nests and the triumphant filming of the White-tailed Eagles on Mull'. Scottish Birds -------------------- `...a delightful book for the friends of wild nature.' Luonnon Tutkija

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Book SynopsisShorebirds, or waders, are a large group of small to medium-sized birds that occur worldwide, in a wide range of predominantly coastal or wetland habitats. Some species are largely sedentary whilst others are amongst the world's most migratory bird species, travelling thousands of kilometres in a few days. In addition to describing physical behavioural traits such as feeding, breeding, migration, and particular physiological adaptations, Shorebirds in Action also covers territorial behaviour both when feeding and breeding. There is detailed discussion of the range of species and their different lifestyles together with feeding strategies, flocking, roosting and the avoidance of predators. The seasonal features of shorebirds' lives are included, such as the various plumages that they have when breeding, or not breeding, together with the intervening periods of moult, during which the birds change from one plumage to the next.Shorebirds in Action is in two parts - firstly basic behavioural information and then a photographic section that explains the specific behaviour being illustrated for that particular shorebird at the time the photo was taken.Consequently, the book can be read as a general text, split into chapters that provide the basic behavioural information and also by reference to the extended photograph captions which explain the details of the particular behaviour shown. The book contains excellent photographs of about 180 shorebird species - over three-quarters of the world's total - and therefore provides a general reference for the identification of shorebird species and the recognition of their various plumages. It will be relevant to readers worldwide, including Europe, North America and Australasia. This comprehensive work can be read as a general text and also the photographs can be enjoyed separately in their own right. Detailed references to source material are provided.Trade Review`…the images, the core of the book, promise to give pleasure to all readers for years to come. …a valuable reference for anyone interested in bird behavior… …I was eager for examples of behaviors that allowed me and my team to catalog video footage in a systematic way, and this book helped tremendously’. Marine Ornithology -------------------- `…the author uses his striking photographs to illustrate behavior and demonstrates group connections among species. …the pictures work as hard as the text in making this a most enjoyable book’. Country-Side -------------------- `...combines visual storytelling and short text snippets to reveal to us the busy and diverse life of shorebirds. ...the images - the core of the book - promise to give pleasure to all readers for years to come. The book is a valuable reference for anyone interested in bird behavior... I study shorebird antipredator behavior...and this book helped tremendously. There is not a definitive encyclopedia of shorebird behavior, but this book by Richard Chandler serves as proof of concept of one'. Marine Ornithology -------------------- `...a myriad of fascinating insights... ...the most eye-catching feature of the book is the wonderful array of photographs... ...an outstanding introduction to one of our most-loved groups of birds. ...a richly informative book. Whether you are new to waders or an experienced wader-watcher, you will find much of value here'. Birdwatch -------------------- `...a magnificent introduction to the world of waders ... a book to enjoy and to learn'. Blog of Gorka Gorospe, Birder -------------------- `Those looking for a beautiful and informative book on winged waders will do well to pick up Shorebirds in Action, An Introduction to waders and their behaviour. ...offers a balanced blend of spectacular photographs and engaging text representing a lifetime of work. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the fascinating lives of wading shorebirds'. Eco Magazine -------------------- `...an excellent introduction to the lifestyle of the waders...also a beautiful collection of images of 180 species of waders'. Linnut -------------------- `A well illustrated introduction to the biology of shorebirds'. The Birdbooker Report -------------------- `...excellent photos, many in double-page spreads, are a stand-out feature of the book. The book is attractively produced... A pleasure to browse through, it can be enjoyed for its photos alone, but the text is very readable, providing insight into the biology of shorebirds. It is highly recommended for anyone who wants to know more about this fascinating group of birds...it is sure to inspire readers to take a closer look at the next shorebird they see'. British Birds -------------------- `...a lavishly illustrated survey of shorebirds globally, with photographs of more than three-quarters of the world's 243 shorebird species. This visual feast of shorebirds is bound to be appreciated by anyone with an interest in these fascinating birds'. African Birdlife -------------------- `...excellent photographs to illustrate aspects of shorebirds' lives, such as moult, migration, territorial behaviour and physiology'. Wadertales ------------------- `I'm a big fan of books that blend photography and the written word...Shorebirds in Action provides a great example of how it can be done well. The book focuses on the behaviour of waders and uses carefully-chosen images that illustrate the themes covered in the text. The text is readable throughout... This is a book that could certainly be read from cover to cover as a lively and engaging introduction to waders. But it is also well-suited to dipping in and out of... ...it's a book that is virtually impossible to pick up without starting to flick greedily through the pages. The book is a real labour of love and one that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in these birds or willing to become so'. Mark Avery -------------------- `Bird watchers will love this book. ...fabulous photographs and fascinating information, it really is a great read. ...a real gem as well as a great source of information'. Burnley Express, Rebecca Hay -------------------- `...the photography will initially grab your attention, the text is genuinely interesting and often entertaining. ...will certainly expand your enjoyment of Charadriiformes. ...is a unique book ...You will find a lot to enjoy in Shorebirds in Action'. Bird Observer -------------------- `...you could benefit from this book ...combines the information interestingly with appropriate photos.' Gil Porter -------------------- `...The text is lively and well-informed. ... The photos are excellent ...have been chosen carefully to illustrate points about behaviour and plumage. ...a nice book as a present for any serious birder.' Scottish Birds -------------------- `...Photographs and text take up roughly equal space and great care has been taken to amalgamate the two into a coherent and well-organised volume.' Austrailian Wildlife -------------------- `...a magnificent introduction to the world of waders ... a book to enjoy and learn'. Gorka Gorospe

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Book SynopsisFor many, birds represent freedom and spirituality since they are created to be free. Although this may be true for people as well, we are of course not able to be as truly free as our winged friends. Looking out of his office window and seeing the birds flying, emphasising his confinement indoors and the unnecessary complexities of life in general, the author regrets his lost freedom. Life tends to be over-complicated and many would advocate following a simpler life. Birds, on the other hand, live the life they are destined for and this book shows how a common love of birds bridges cultures and distance. The Birds are our Friends is a wonderful and enlightening collection of essential information, curiosities, myths and folklore of birds and people. The author has discovered the role that birds play in people’s imagination, and their significance for various cultures. People’s accounts of birds give an insight to themselves – what they strive for, what they are afraid of and what they find important. Some birds predict the weather and construct unbelievably sophisticated nests or engage in elegant mating rituals. The author provides new insights on these facts and myths which confound some widely-held assumptions of their activities. Yessengali has a deeply personal connection and relationship with some birds. His fondest memories from childhood or young adulthood are associated with cuckoos, storks, and other birds that remind him of love and friendship. He hopes that these stories will interest readers, remind them of their spirituality and also evoke fine memories. In any event, it is a book that illuminates the world of birds from a slightly different viewpoint.

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Book SynopsisA Vulture Landscape is more than just a book about vultures, in the same way that these majestic flyers are more than just birds. Vultures are a crucial part of many of the world's ecosystems, and without these specialist environmental cleansers the ecosystems wouldn't work properly. A calendar year in the lives of these gargantuan raptors is explored as they live, breed, feed and fly with effortless ease across the skies of the vulture landscape that is Extremadura in central Spain. There are four species of vulture in Europe, and a fifth that is becoming more of a regular visitor as its own global population plummets. The serious conservation issues faced on a day-to-day basis by these species, and their relatives spread across the globe, are explored, issues that in many cases threaten their very survival. However, this book is a celebration of the vulture and the landscape in which it reigns. Using the latest science, his keen eye and his passion for the birds themselves, the author takes the reader on a journey, introducing readers to the vultures, their lives and their landscape. Along the way, much of the other wonderful wildlife of the vulture landscape, from exotic Bee-eaters and bewitching Montagu's Harriers to rutting Red Stags as well as some very excitable cattle, are included. Ian explains how watching vultures is not only addictive, but that it can often lead to vulture gazing, surely the most relaxing form of bird watching there is! With his fine descriptions, readers can enter the world of the vulture, get to know these brilliant birds and learn how they control diseases that threaten us, why some species have bald necks, as well as how they have mastered the art of flying without expending any energy. The author has spent several years living permanently in Extremadura and now splits his time between his native county of Devon and his beloved vulture landscape, where he leads bird tours introducing people to the birds and the area he clearly loves.Trade ReviewIan paints a fascinating picture of the landscape in Extremadura and the huge variety of birds that can be seen. Reading the book I felt I was alongside him... is well illustrated with very clear colour plates... is written by and author who is an expert in his subject and is a delight to read. I'd have no hesitation in recommending the book to anyone who has even a flicker of an interest in birds; it would not disappoint' Alan Stewart, Wildlife Detective Blog-------------------Ian's enthusiasm for this place, its varied wildlife and for vultures in particular leaps off the pages. He is a good observer of behaviour, well-versed in the biology of the species he sees and a good writer who brings the scenes to life... reading his observations and thoughts, particularly about vultures, will reward your investment...is well produced with a large number of quality colour photographs by the author. Mark Avery, Standing up for Nature Blog...one of the book's pleasures for me is the way that Ian brings in vultures from all over the world. ... an easy book to dip into, or to read in long sittings. ... If you've enjoyed the magic of Extremadura yourself, this is a must. If you haven't it will make you want to go there immediately'. Bird Watching------------------...this book is a great read. ...above all it's a text that is a love affair with birds, nature and wild places. ... This is among the very best because it really is beautifully written. ... Every paragraph painted a scene well enough for me to feel the sun's heat on my back and the ubiquitous call of hoopoes.FatBirder-------------------‘...a fascinating insight into the lives of vultures... ...anyone wanting to learn more about these birds of prey will no doubt revel in this wonderfully personal account of such magnificent birds’. Wild Planet Photo Magazine

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Book SynopsisUsing vivid extracts from field notebooks and profusely illustrated with photographs as well as paintings and sketches by wildlife artist Jonathan Pomroy, the reader is transported to the beautiful North York Moors National Park. We can share in the excitement as the first Ring Ouzels of the year return from their winter quarters in North Africa, witness their courtship displays, the establishment of territories and the female ouzel painstakingly building her nest and laying eggs. This is followed by the monitoring of the hatching and fledging of chicks and the levels of predation - noted in order better to understand the productivity and sustainability of this vulnerable and isolated population. To hear the song of the Ring Ouzel carrying for a surprising distance across the high moorland in the early morning is one of the many delights of upland Britain. The authors have recorded and analysed both simple and complex songs in their study area and, following comparison with recordings from Scotland, Derbyshire and the Yorkshire Dales, have confirmed the suspected presence of local dialects. Crucially this book is much more than a remarkable record of twenty years' fieldwork as it builds on earlier research elsewhere and relates local findings to the results of other current studies in England, Wales and Scotland. The contraction in distribution and number of Ring Ouzels breeding in Britain, the work of the Ring Ouzel Study Group, the introduction of conservation measures and the potential impact of climate change are all described. Attention is drawn to the first indications of Ring Ouzel decline in Switzerland. As a migrant, the Ring Ouzel faces additional pressures and problems on passage and conditions in their wintering areas in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco are described. The importance of Britain as a stop-over and refuelling area for Fennoscandian birds on passage in Spring and Autumn is stressed. There is still much to learn and the early attempts to track Ring Ouzels on migration from Scotland to North Africa and back are described. This milestone publication brings the Ring Ouzel into sharp focus for the first time.Trade Review...covers every aspect of the life of a ring ouzel in fine detail... is extremely well illustrated with photos and sketches of the bird itself, nests and nest sites, plus helpful graphs and diagrams. The Ring Ouzel is a high-quality ornithologist's book, as well as being a fascinating book for a reader with a generalist interest in birds. Alan Stewart, Wildlife Detective blog-------------------...a fascinating read... is not only a great read but plays an important role in keeping records of the bird and the potential impact climate change can have on them.... A brilliant book for not only bird watchers, but for wildlife and nature lovers too. Rebecca Hay, UK Travel and Features Writer -------'...this is a beautifully illustrated book ... and peppered with superb watercolours. ... The well written prose is often full of observation so succinctly and poetically put across... Any birder will enjoy this book, and anyone with a serious interest in Ring Ouzels will need to refer to it often'. FatBirder -------'...It is superbly produced and illustrated, and is a great showcase for Ken and Vic’s dedicated fieldwork... a real benchmark publication and key reference... The watercolours are a masterstroke and really round the book off beautifully. ... I cannot recommend the book highly enough... Chris Rollie, RSPB Ring Ouzel Plan Manager --------- ‘…is a thorough compendium of two decades worth of careful field study… it is also a love letter to the landscapes and wildlife of Yorkshire… this is a beautifully presented book, a treasure trove of knowledge and a great examination of Ring Ouzel ecology…will be a useful touchstone for the future monitoring and conservation of one of our most vulnerable thrushes’. BTO News ---------'This new and comprehensive study provides a rare and fascinating insight into the lives of one of our most vulnerable upland birds... The book is beautifully complemented by the paintings and sketches of wildlife artist Jonathan Pomroy’. The Dalesman ---------- ‘…is the first monograph on this species since Ian Appleyard’s book… in 1994… A vast amount of information is set out… Many colour photos add to the book’s appeal, and it is a great addition to the bookcase’. Bird Watching Magazine ---------'This book, based on a 20-year local study by two amateur ornithologists, really packs a punch. With masses of original information and observations, it impressed the judges by its professional presentation and readability... This informative and attractive book sets the benchmark for future species studies of this nature. ...this account of the 'moorland Blackbird' in one part of its British breeding range is a really good read... and a great credit to the two authors'. British Birds --------- 'These two took this dedication to citizen science even farther. Their book details a lot of natural history, including some never-before-recorded courtship behaviours. But even more important, this information can help conservationists understand the birds' decline... conveys the joys of observation, of hiking and hiding in wild places, of making discovery'. Cool Green Science

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Book SynopsisAs a ten-year-old, the author contracted TB and was sent to an isolated sanatorium, deep in the Cheshire coun-tryside. There he was bedridden for six months. On fine days, nurses would push the young patients, in their beds, out onto a large veranda and it was there that his love of birdwatching developed. On leaving hospital, he shared his passion with three schoolmates and over the next five years this small band of birders explored wildlife locations on and nearby the Wirral. Their travels and love of nature was epitomised when, aged 16, they spent part of their summer on Bardsey, a remote island off North Wales as part of a small, professional team of naturalists. As a young birdwatcher, the author is fascinated when he observed nature first-hand and began to grasp the basics of the science of evolution. This is a 'rites of passage' story of one lad's journey through those early formative teenage years during 1957 to 1962 when birdwatching sat easily in his life alongside football, girls, radical politics and rock bands. Each chapter traces the boy's expanding world of nature and then, in later life, he reflects on those times. A passion for nature has stayed with him throughout his life and as an adult, he explores the way views are formed and become a base reference framework to work out his personal ethics and morality. On revisiting all his old haunts each visit triggers further questions, reflections and musings. How does nature manage, over all those years, to continue to inspire and stimulate him? What does it mean to be part of nature? How does nature manage to heal? An Eye for Birds is a series of reflections of an individual, trained in the sciences, revisiting his teenage wildlife haunts and looking back to those times with mature perspective and sentiment that add their own colours to the story.Trade Review'...I found easy to re-wrap myself in alongside Bruce's recollections. The style is light and detailed without getting too flowery or sentimental. ... In short, what's not to like?' Fatbirder -------'I'm sure this will engage with many readers... The language throughout the book is superb. It is as descriptive as I have seen in any book and it was a pleasure to read. ...was a fascinating read and I'm sure it will be enjoyed by many readers whose childhood nature interest developed along similar lines to that of the author'. Wildlife Detective, the blog of Alan Stewart

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Book SynopsisAS SEEN ON BBC ONE'S THE ONE SHOWBrought together by a shared love of birding, Ollie Olanipekun and Nadeem Perera set up Flock Together to challenge the underrepresentation of people of colour in nature. What started as a walk in their local park instantly sparked a global outdoors movement centred on community and activism through nature. With a vision to change the world from the outside in, Outsiders is a memoir and manifesto about the power of nature to heal, inspire and unite us in the face of prejudice and inequity. Praise for Flock Together'A birdwatching collective is not only encouraging people of colour to explore green spaces, but also reconcile it with their sense of identity' - Telegraph'...inspiring young people to discover the wildlife on their doorsteps' - The Times'During challenging times, what could be more rewarding?' - VogueTrade ReviewA powerful meditation on the relationship between race and the natural world in modern Britain * iNews *[Outsiders] is a bold step in confronting the under-representation of people of colour in the natural world, and helping those marginalised communities to step forward to enjoy and protect it. * BBC Wildlife *

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Book SynopsisNo creature has been subject to such extremes of reverence and exploitation as the chicken. Hens have been venerated as cosmic creators and roosters as solar divinities. Many cultures have found the mysteries of birth, healing, death and resurrection encapsulated in the hen's egg. Yet today, most of us have nothing to do with chickens as living beings, although billions are consumed around the world every year. In Chicken Annie Potts introduces us to the vivid and astonishing world of Gallus gallus. The book traces the evolution of jungle fowl and the domestication of chickens by humans. It describes the ways in which chickens experience the world, form families and friendships, communicate with each other, play, bond and grieve. Chicken explores cultural practices like egg-rolling, the cockfight, alectromancy, wishbone-pulling and the chicken-swinging ritual of Kapparot; discovers depictions of chickenhood in ancient and modern art, literature and film; and also showcases bizarre supernatural chickens from around the world including the Basilisk, Kikimora and Pollio Maligno. Chicken concludes with a detailed analysis of the place of chickens in the world today, and a tribute to those who educate and advocate on behalf of these birds. Numerous beautiful illustrations show the many faces (and feathers and combs and tails) of Gallus, from wild roosters in the jungles of Southeast Asia to quirky Naked-Necks and majestic Malays. There are chickens painted by Chagall and Magritte, chickens made of hair-rollers, and chickens shaped like mountains. The reader of Chicken will encounter a multitude of intriguing facts and ideas, including why the largest predator ever to walk the earth is considered the ancestor of the modern chicken, how mother hens communicate with their chicks while they're still in the egg, why Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece required him to play a chicken, whether it's safe to take eggs on a sea-voyage, and how 'chicken therapy' can rejuvenate us all. This book will fascinate those already familiar with and devoted to the Gallus species, and it will open up a whole new gallinaceous world for admirers of the intelligent and passionate chicken.Trade Review'In this brilliant book, Potts challenges us to see chickens as creatures who think and feel in complex ways all of their own ... This series notably mixes historical and cross-cultural research with gorgeous illustrations; Chicken is no exception.' - TLS 'This tasty book also chases the chicken through literature, film, painting (Magritte's hilariously sad chicken staring at an egg in an eggcup) and national symbolism (especially French). Potts notices, too, the emerging trend of "heroic chickens" and even "the avenging chicken", probably a reaction to increasing popular intolerance of battery farming.' - The Guardian

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Book SynopsisInnocent. Invader. Lover. Thief. Sparrows are everywhere, in many guises. They are cherished pets, subject of elegies by Catullus and John Skelton, listed as 'pretty things' in Sei Shonagon's Pillow Book. They're grimy, urban vermin with shocking manners, so reviled that during the 1950s Mao placed them on the list of 'Four Pests' and ordered the Chinese people to kill them all. In many countries they are appallingly successful non-natives, attacking indigenous birds and ravaging ecosystems. Able to live in the Arctic and the desert, from Beijing to San Francisco, the house sparrow is the most widespread wild bird in the world. In Sparrow, award-winning science and natural history writer Kim Todd explores the complex history, biology and literary tradition of this bird that embodies the word 'common'. In literature, the New Testament claimed that not a sparrow falls without God noting it; the idea of the precious sparrow developed from Hamlet to twentieth-century gospel hymns; the bold, defiant sparrow appears in many folk and fairy tales. The author explores Old World sparrows, like the house sparrow, which can nest in a garage or in an airport, and New World sparrows, which often stake their claim to remote islands or meadows in the high Sierra. Todd looks at the nineteenth-century 'Sparrow War' in the USA - a battle over the sparrow's introduction - which set the stage for decades of discussions of invasive species. She examines the ways in which sparrows have taught us about evolution, and the recent decline of house sparrows in cities globally. This disappearance of a bird that seemed hardwired for success remains an ornithological mystery. With lush illustrations, ranging from early woodcuts and illustrated manuscripts to contemporary wildlife photography, this is the first book-length exploration of the natural and cultural history of this cheeky and ubiquitous bird.

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Book SynopsisCherry Kearton's 1920's study of Penguins has been reproducedhere along with over 90 photographs, under a new title of 'Penguin Family Life'as he shows the anthropomorphic behaviour of both the penguins and othercreatures sharing a piece of rock no more than 4 miles square.

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Book SynopsisThe first book to be written on this fascinating, severely declining species, the Black Grouse. Beautifully illustrated with the author's own watercolours, this lively natural history conveys Laurie's passion for these vulnerable, delightfully aggressive and at turns shy and elusive, birds as they struggle for survival.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book Synopsis"The best nature writer working in Britain today." - The Los Angeles Times. Eagles, more than any other bird, spark our imaginations. These magnificent creatures encapsulate the majesty and wildness of Scottish nature. But change is afoot for the eagles of Scotland: the golden eagles are now sharing the skies with sea eagles after a successful reintroduction programme. In 'The Eagle's Way', Jim Crumley exploits his years of observing these spectacular birds to paint an intimate portrait of their lives and how they interact with each other and the Scottish landscape. Combining passion, beautifully descriptive prose and the writer's 25 years of experience, 'The Eagle's Way' explores the ultimate question - what now for the eagles? - making it essential reading for wildlife lovers and eco-enthusiasts.Trade Review"The Eagle's Way, is surely one of modern natural history writing's masterpieces." - Jim Perrin, The Great Outdoors. "Crumley is quite exceptional. Jim's writing is absolutely authentic; his arguments vested with the power of heartfelt sincerity; his life devoted to the vital subjects he studies, expresses so finely, and opens up to our wider understanding in the context of a better and more humane planetary future." - Viewpoint. "Jim Crumley soars with eagles and we watch with our mouths open, not just because the presence of the eagle fills us with awe but the virtuoso writing does, too. All Jim Crumley's books come from an intelligence drawn from place." - Paul Evan, BBC Countryfile. "Tinglingly readable - Crumley's distinctive voice carries you with him on his dawn forays and sunset vigils." - John Lister Kaye. "Crumley's books are sublime. 'The Eagle's Way' is a beautiful, funny, argumentative narrative of praise to the eagle." - Roger Hutchinson, West Highland Free Press. "Crumley conveys the feelings involved - the excitement, the joy, the wonder of the natural world at its wildest - with honesty and passion" - Susan Mansfield, Scottish Review of Books. Praise for Jim Crumley: "the pre-eminent Scottish nature-writer" - The Guardian. "The most gifted writer where nature writing and mountain writing meet" - Jim Perrin for The Great Outdoors. "The best nature writer working in Britain today." - The Los Angeles Times. "Enthralling and often strident." - The Observer. "Tinglingly readable ... Crumley's distinctive voice carries you with him on his dawn forays and sunset vigils." - Sir John Lister-Kaye, The Herald. "Nature writing with passion, honesty, even poetry" - Scottish Review of Books. "Virtuoso writing" - BBC Countryfile.

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Book SynopsisThis easy-to-use identification guide to the 280 bird species most commonly seen in Southeast China is perfect for resident and visitor alike. High quality photographs from the region's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Southeast China encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name, IUCN status as at 2011.

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Book SynopsisAn introductory identification guide to 280 birds found in the most frequently visited parts of Myanmar, with a further 100 related species referred to in the descriptions. The selection covers widespread, endemic and near-endemic species, as well as species that are rare and threatened in other parts of Asia but significant in Myanmar. High quality photographs from one of Myanmar's top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers geography and climate, vegetation, opportunities for naturalists and the main sites for viewing the listed species. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the birds of Myanmar encompassing, for each species, its common and scientific name as well as its vernacular name, its status in each state as well as its global IUCN status.

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Book Synopsis"An utter delight" - Jennifer Tetlow. In the Encounters in the Wild series, renowned nature writer Jim Crumley gets up close and personal with British wildlife - here, the skylark. With his inimitable passion and vision, Jim relives memorable encounters with some of our best-loved native species, offering intimate insights into their extraordinary lives.Trade ReviewPraise for Jim Crumley: "An utter delight. I cried more than once for the sheer beauty of the writing and descriptions of watching wildlife." - Jennifer Tetlow.; "The most gifted writer where nature writing and mountain writing meet" - Jim Perrin for The Great Outdoors.; "The best nature writer working in Britain today." - The Los Angeles Times.; "Enthralling and often strident." - The Observer.; "Tinglingly readable ... Crumley's distinctive voice carries you with him on his dawn forays and sunset vigils." - Sir John Lister-Kaye, The Herald.; "Nature writing with passion, honesty, even poetry" - Scottish Review of Books.; "Virtuoso writing" - BBC Countryfile.

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Book SynopsisLakeland Book of the Year 2018, Bookends Prize for Art and Literature, WINNER. With its enchanting song, striking orange bill and endearing willingness to share our living space, the blackbird is one of our best-loved birds. And, in common with all our garden wildlife, it plays a critical role in Britain's fragile and precious biodiversity. In The Blackbird Diaries, Karen Lloyd shares her deep-rooted knowledge and affection for the flora and fauna of these isles. And she issues a clarion call for the conservation of endangered habitats and species - most notably the curlew, Europe's largest wading bird. Over the four seasons, Karen intimately chronicles the drama of the natural world as it all unfolds in her garden and in the limestone hills and valleys of Cumbria's South Lakeland. What emerges is a celebration of landscapes that rarely feature in nature writing. But more than that, at a time of critical species loss, she offers rare insights into the lives of animals that may be common but are no less remarkable.Trade Review"Sure to delight readers and fans of British wildlife... Like all good nature writing books, Lloyd's prose is to be savoured. Not raced through and devoured like the latest crime thriller, but to be absorbed, enjoyed and reflected upon." Megan Shersby, BBC Countryfile magazine; "A writer of rare talent... Lloyd quietly and unassumingly shares her observations of nature, drawing you into a world made rich with the company of birds. Nothing is beyond her eye - from wavering flocks of lapwing, or the mad arcs of swifts to the majesty of sea eagles, the evening sunlight caught crystalline in their eyes." Miriam Darlington, BBC Wildlife; "A charming and informative account... [Lloyd] has a keen eye and a quiet, understated way of describing her neighbourhood that I found captivating. It brought to mind the writing of ... Kathleen Jamie ... Keenly observed." Katharine Norbury, Caught by the River

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Book SynopsisThe county of Lancashire has at its heart a real gem. Boasting fells, marshes, moorland, rivers, rich woodlands and ancient picturesque settlements, the Forest of Bowland provides a wonderful variety of habitats for an amazing array of birds, some of them rare. Little wonder, then, that local authors David Hindle and John Wilson developed such a passion for exploring the area, and decided to write a book. Birdwatching Walks in Bowland, now in its third edition, reveals the many treasures on offer that can be enjoyed by all. Readers can choose from over 30 lovely routes, all with straightforward directions, easy-to-follow maps and useful birding tips.Table of ContentsForeword Page vii Authors' preface ix Introduction xii Walk 1 Quest for the mountain blackbird 1 Walk 1A Returning via the Head of Fiensdale to Bleasdale 5 Walk 2 The two rivers trail - Wenning and Lune 6 Walk 3 Birding on the Chipping Fells 10 Walk 4 The Hornby road 14 Walk 5 Dotterel over Pendle 18 Walk 6 Woodland treasures of Roeburndale 21 Walk 7 Longridge Fell circular 25 Walk 8 Crook o' Lune circular 28 Walk 9 The Tolkien birdwatching trail 32 Walk 9A Returning via Higher Hodder bridge 40 Walk 10 The Dunsop Bridge via Burholme circular 41 Walk 11 The Littledale trail 44 Walk 12 To the fells from historic Whitewell 47 Walk 13 East of Roeburndale 51 Walk 14 Light up the beacon 55 Walk 15 The Jubilee Tower trail 59 Walk 16 A stake-out by the Hodder: Chipping, Whitewell and Stakes 62 Walk 17 Tarnbrook to Ward's Stone and Rakehouse Road 68 Walk 18 Chipping circular via Hodder valley 72 Walk 19 Nicky Nook and Harrisend Fell 77 Walk 20 Gisburn Forest circular via Hesbert Hall and Bottom's Beck 81 Walk 21 Circular from Whitewell via a medieval deer park and Browsholme Hall 85 Walk 22 Abbeystead Lake 90 Walk 23 A trail along the Brock valley 93 Walk 23A Brock to Bleasdale circular 96 Walk 24 The Dunsop marathon 98 Walk 25 The best of Bowland: Slaidburn circular via Whitendale and the Hodder valley 103 Walk 26 Bowland's enigmatic circle 107 Walk 27 A time to take stock: Stocks Reservoir circular 111 Walk 28 Bowland's Wuthering Heights 118 Walk 29 Dunsop Bridge circular via Hareden 120 Walk 30 Winter spectacular: waders and wildfowl at Fluke Hall and Pilling 124 Walk 31 Birdwatching at Conder Green 129 Walk 31A Conder Green: the canal option 133 Walk 32 To Cockersands and back 134 Further reading 137 Birdwatching/Walking Notes 138

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Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for everyone who loves nature and the outdoors. 60 of Britain's unmissable wildlife wonders and where you can see them. This book shows you 60 of Britain's unmissable, world-class wonders of nature and tells you where you can find them. From starling murmurations in Somerset to otters in Shetland, from glowworms in Dorset to golden eagles in the Cairngorms. Along the way you'll also discover natural wonders that are right under your nose in your garden or even in the centre of a town – like hearing the dawn chorus and glimpsing a charm of goldfinches. A sequel to the very successful Great British Bucket List.

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Book SynopsisA highly personal account of a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that saw Bruce and his wife, Lynn, embark on a year of travel and birding across the entire continent in a camper van. Their aim was to see Australia, but also to keep a list of the birds that they saw together. That list began with two Gang-gang Cockatoos flying over their son’s yard in Torquay, Victoria and ended a year later watching a lovely little Speckled Warbler on a chilly morning back in Victoria with 638 other species seen in between. Kenn Kaufman said, “The story is superb, and the descriptions of birds, places and people are all original and engaging, and I love the asides and the wise and imaginative comments that Bruce works in on just about every page. The little asides that he tosses in are all gems and they add to the value and charm of the book. I love the story, I love Bruce’s unique perspective on every topic, and I would like to make sure I get that point across.” The book is more than a list of birds and how, and where, Bruce and Lynn got to see them. It’s about the people and the places, and the joy of experiencing the stunningly diverse beauty of Australia.

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