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Other bird related books

Ireland's Garden Birds: How To Identify, Attract & Garden For Birds

Oran O'Sullivan and Jim Wilson

2nd edition

2017

"This highly successful guide to identifying garden birds has now been fully updated with the latest information and statistics. Highlighting a range of plants and planting schemes that support wildlife, it provides expert advice on making your garden a haven for birds. Learn everything you need to know about the birds you're most likely to see from your window, how to attract them into your garden and how to care for them. Each species is accessibly described, with details of identification, status and abundance, feeding habits, songs and call, and breeding season. The species descriptions are enhanced by new photographs by Mark Carmody, a nature photographer whose work is widely published."

Where to See Wildlife in Britain and Ireland: Over 800 Best Wildlife Sites in the British Isles

Chistopher Somerville

2013

"Divided into 50 regions, each accompanied by a detailed map, Where to See Wildlife in Britain and Ireland is packed with essential information on Britain and Ireland's most exciting conservation sites, from nature reserves in Somerset renowned for their otters, to remote bird sanctuaries in the Highlands of Scotland, home to the glorious golden eagle. Featuring over 800 sites, including National and Local Nature Reserves, National Parks, RSPB Reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this highly informative book provides practical advice on the best time to go, how to get there, and what to see, along with suggestions for other places to visit in each area. Plants and animals associated with each site are highlighted throughout, and special features provide insight into the range of habitats you will encounter along the way, from marshes and wetlands to lakes and mountains."

Drawn From Paradise: The Discovery, Art and Natural History of the Birds of Paradise

David Attenborough & Errol Fuller

2012

"In this unique exploration of a truly awe-inspiring family of birds which to this day is still shrouded in mystery, David Attenborough and Errol Fuller trace the natural history of these enigmatic birds through their depiction in western works of art throughout the centuries, featuring beautiful illustrations by such luminary artists as Jacques Barraband, William Hart, John Gould, Rubens and Breughel, to name but a few. Experienced ornithologists and general nature and art enthusiasts alike will delight in this journey of discovery of the world's most beautiful and mysterious birds."

Bird Habitats in Ireland

Editors: Richard Nairn and John O'Halloran

2012

"The bird habitat types found in Ireland provide many answers to the puzzles of Ireland s bird life. Studies of Ireland s birds and their habitats show how Ireland is different from Europe and the neighbouring island of Britain, being a stronghold for species such as the Chough and Storm Petrel while common European species such as the Nuthatch and Tawny Owl are completely absent. In winter, birds stream into Ireland from their Arctic breeding grounds. In this comprehensive, up-to-date review of the bird communities of all the habitats in Ireland, a team of the most experienced o ornithologists in Ireland brings together descriptions of the habitat types and the typical bird species that they support. Habitat management and bird conservation issues are also fully addressed. Illustrated with quality photographs and maps, it will become a key work of reference for all future ornithological research in Ireland."

Birds: Through Irish Eyes

Anthony McGeehan with Julian Wyllie

2012

"Watching birds is a growing pastime for many people but how much do we really know about them? A lifetime spent identifying and photographing birds makes Anthony McGeehan the ideal guide to show us our birds in a different way, creatures that, to survive and delight us, bear an increasingly heavy load. They are beautiful and clever but are increasingly vulnerable because of modern farming practices, pollution, climate change and hunting. Birds: Through Irish Eyes presents the lives and times of the birds that surround us. Each has a story to tell, from Brent Geese, who perform an annual round trip from here to Canada, to Kestrels that engage ultra-violet vision to detect mice, from vanishing souls such as Corncrake and Skylarks. People's lives are intertwined with those of birds and the author encourages us to look and listen, to protect and understand and most of all to recognise the beauty of the birds around us. Lavishly illustrated and engrossingly narrated, this book is the birds' moment and, for some, perhaps, salvation."

Springwatch British Wildlife

Stephen Moss

2012

"Springwatch British Wildlife is the perfect year-round countryside introduction to the much-loved wildlife of the popular BBC2 television series. The book guides you through Britain's rich and diverse natural heritage, allowing you to enjoy the nation's wildlife at its finest – learning how the animals live and where to find them, why they do what they do and how we can appreciate them. You will be introduced to the birds, mammals and plants that inhabit our gardens, cities and countryside, with detailed species descriptions and beautiful photographs allowing you to understand their appearance, behaviour and habitats. Discover the best-kept secrets about garden birds, fascinating fungi facts and what leaves and seeds tell us about our thriving plant life. Join the Springwatch team as they help you to explore the natural world and unlock the mysteries to British wildlife."

Birds: Adapted from Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte de Buffon's Histoire Naturelle

George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon and Fiorella Congedo

2011

"This book showcases the delicate copper engravings of birds created by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Compte de Buffon (1707-88), for his masterpiece work Histoire naturelle, generale et particuliere. The birds captured within are original reproductions of Leclerc's art, which depicts the vibrant hues of the birds' feathers, the varying length of their wings, and their wide- eyed expressions as they stand perched, always alert for signs of danger or other forms of life that might serve as their next meal. Leclerc's original text from Histoire naturelle is also faithfully reproduced to provide descriptive information on the birds, such as their living locations and their unique physical characteristics. To bring this lovely book into the 21st century, the paperback format and low price make this rare and significant volume accessible and affordable. A DVD is also included with images of the birds to be used by readers at their discretion."

Freshwater Birds of Ireland

Jim Wilson

Collins Press

2011

"Almost all the world's birds come to fresh water on a regular basis. In Ireland hundreds can be observed eating, drinking and washing on river and canal banks, in reservoirs, ponds and lakes. A broad range of birds, they take advantage of Ireland s climate and variety of freshwater habitats. They include the elegant great crested grebe which feeds feathers to its chicks to aid digestion, and moorhens, three of which may lay eggs in one nest and may raise two or three families in a year. Irish snipe, found on wet ground, with a population of roughly 15,000 - 20,000, are joined by over half a million snipe from Iceland and Europe each winter. The whooper swan, which breeds in Iceland, makes the longest non-stop migration of any swan, travelling 1,300km between Iceland and Ireland and has been seen on one flight at 8km above sea level. Mark Carmody spent many hours capturing the essence and beauty of Ireland's freshwater birds and their habitats."

Birds Britannia: Why the British Fell in Love with Birds

Stephen Moss

2011

"Birds and bird lore provide a fascinating window onto our social and cultural history, and can tell us much about our changing relationship with the British landscape, our people and society. We Brits love our birds. They hold a special place in our hearts – whether it's the sound of birdsong on a spring morning, the sight of a Barn Owl hunting on a summer's evening, or a Robin perched on our garden spade. In this book, Stephen Moss focusses on some of our most beloved and charismatic birds. He explores their fascinating biology, and their place in the evolving culture and history of the British people. The author delves into the worlds of Sea Birds (Puffin, Sea Eagle and Gannet), Water Birds (Kingfisher, Swan and Avocet), Countryside Birds (Red Grouse, Nightingale and Skylark ) and Town & Garden Birds (Robin, House Sparrow and Magpie), weaving their stories together to tell four very different stories about the changing face of Britain."

Art of the New Naturalists: A Complete History

Peter Marren & Robert Gillmor

2009

"The stunning, specially commissioned cover illustrations are one of the great joys of the New Naturalist series, lending it a distinctive style which has inspired nature enthusiasts for many decades. The Collins New Naturalist series is the longest-running and arguably the most influential natural history series in the world with over 100 volumes published in over 60 years. Throughout the years, the highly characteristic dust jacket illustrations have become iconic, lifting the books to a level of collectibility and increasing the level of admiration for an already well-established and respected series. With early cover illustrations prepared by Clifford and Rosemary Ellis, later and more recent covers have been designed by Robert Gillmor. Featuring prints of the awe-inspiring artwork of the New Naturalists, the book will offer a unique insight into Gillmor's approach to each subject matter and the intricate and creative way through which he has brought his own distinctive style and craft of printmaking to the New Naturalist series. Marren explores the findings from the Ellis archive, which has thrown up considerable information on how the old covers were developed, approved, in some cases rejected, and then proofed. The Art of the New Naturalists offers a fascinating insight into how the creation of these eminent cover designs has developed and progressed and will be essential reading for everyone interested in the frantic workings behind the seemingly serene collection of artwork that is one of Britain's iconic book series."

Shorebirds of Ireland

Jim Wilson

The Collins Press

2009

"Sandpipers and plovers are among the many shorebirds that live between the tides in Ireland, on mudflats and shingle, in estuaries and lagoons, on beaches and bays. Jim Wilson and Mark Carmody introduce this world and its birds, which we have all seen but may know little about. Description of how they adapted to this often harsh environment, and how they evolved ways of exploiting the food supply, is followed by an account of their amazing annual migrations between Ireland and places such as arctic Canada and Siberia. One chapter describes the special role of Iceland in the lives of many shorebirds. The species portraits of those most likely to be seen in Ireland are enhanced with outstanding images paying homage to the beauty and variety of these birds. Mark Carmody spent hundreds of hours in search of these photographs to capture the essence and beauty of our shorebirds and their environment. Jim Wilson s text is again informative and engaging, sure to increase appreciation and understanding of these birds and where they live."

Grass, Sky, Song: Promise and Peril in the World of Grassland Birds

Trevor Herriot

2009

"Facing the demise of the very creatures that he has always depended on for his sense of home, Herriot sets out to discover why birds are disappearing and what, if anything, we can do to save them. He takes us out to local pastures where a few prairie songbirds sing and nest, as well as to the open rangeland where doomed populations of burrowing owls and greater sage-grouse cling to survival. In a narrative that is at once profound, intimate and informative, we meet passionate bird researchers and travel in the footsteps of 19th-century botanist John Macoun, the last naturalist to see the Great Plains in its pre-settlement grandeur. In the spirit of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring and Bruce Chatwin's The Songlines, this arresting book fills the heart with wonder and reveals that any hope for the endangered wildness in North America's heartland depends on people making the right choices – on farms, in legislatures and in board rooms, and even at the supermarket. Beautifully illustrated with the author's own drawings, Grass, Sky, Song awakens our senses to the glory of all birds and calls for a renewed bond between culture and nature."

Extreme Birds: From the Fastest to the Smartest

Dominic Couzens

2009

"A beautiful and fascinating portrait of the world's most extreme birds, from the biggest and fastest, to the smelliest and smartest. Packed with astonishing facts and absorbing detail, this lavishly illustrated book brings together the extremes of the bird world, including the fastest flyer, the deepest diver, the craftiest builder and the funniest forager. An exploration of exceptional forms, bizarre habits and fantastic feats, Extreme Birds reveals the extraordinary and often complex ways in which birds cope with the countless challenges of life."

Ireland's Garden Birds: How To Identify, Attract & Garden For Birds

Oran O'Sullivan and Jim Wilson

2008

"Whether you are an avid gardener or just like feeding birds in your garden, this guide is an essential companion. This illustrated guide to Ireland s garden birds and wildlife gardening, provides information on the 60 birds most likely to be seen from the window, how to attract them into your garden and how to care for them. Part one features all the main gardening issues and highlights planting schemes to make your garden a haven for wildlife. Up to 60 bird species that can be seen anywhere from your windowsill and around the garden are featured in part two. Each species is described in a style designed to appeal to all, providing the hard facts of identification, status and abundance, feeding habits, songs, call and breeding season facts."

Birds of Ireland: Facts, Folklore and History

Glynn Anderson

2008

"A companion to bird-identification guides, this book focuses on our interaction with birds, wild, domesticated and extinct. A general introduction covers birds in Irish mythology and folklore, birds as omens, harbingers and food, and bird-related beliefs, proverbs and curses. This is followed by a species-by-species account, with each name and its meaning, a description and associated beliefs, myths, legends, weather lore, proverbs, culinary traditions and place names. Most birds in Ireland are included, and the more common they are the longer the entry. Each entry ends with a Facts & Figures section, such as species numbers in Ireland, where it is common and its longevity."

Superdove: How the Pigeon Took Manhattan ... and the World

Courtney Humphries

2008

"Why do we see pigeons as lowly urban pests and how did they become such common city dwellers? Courtney Humphries traces the natural history of the pigeon, recounting how these shy birds that once made their homes on the sparse cliffs of sea coasts came to dominate our urban public spaces. While detailing this evolution, Humphries introduces us to synanthropy: The concept that animals can become dependent on humans without ceasing to be wild; they can adapt to the cityscape as if it were a field or a forest."

Penguins: The Secret Lives of the World's Most Intriguing Birds

Brutus Ostling and Susanne Akesson

2007

"A remarkable insight into the life of every species Is it true that Penguins stay with the same partner for life? Why do most penguins keep stones in their stomachs? Why is a fat King Penguin male more attractive to the female? Penguins are fascinating animals: they cannot fly, they are awkward on land, but are as agile as fish under water. Their ability to survive in some of the coldest regions on Earth inspires wonder and admiration, particularly for the species that incubate their eggs in the dark winter of the Antarctic. Penguins explains all these extraordinary facets of their lives and more. It is the perfect introduction to every species found on Earth and is a brilliant combination of amazing photographs and stunning facts."

Remarkable Birds: 100 of the World's Most Notable Birds

Stephen Moss

2007

"A celebration of the world's favourite birds, as nominated by birders and conservationists worldwide. Birders worldwide were asked to tell us the top 10 favourite birds in their country and why. The responses included contributions from people from major organisations, such as Audubon and BirdLife, as well as bird lovers around the world, and formed the basis for the list of the 100 birds within this book. These include the most glamorous or extraordinary birds from the common to the less well-known: penguins to hummingbirds and toucans to cranes. A quirky design and gift format give this bird book a distinctive edge. Beautiful photos support fascinating text, which explores the cultural associations and conservation stories of our favourite species, and what exactly makes them special."

Condor: To the Brink and Back: The Life and Times of One Giant Bird

John Nielsen

2006

"The California condor has been described as a bird "with one wing in the grave." Flying on wings nearly ten feet wide from tip to tip, these birds thrived on the carcasses of animals like woolly mammoths. Then, as humans began dramatically reshaping North America, the continent's largest flying land bird started disappearing. By the beginning of the twentieth century, extinction seemed inevitable. But small groups of passionate individuals refused to allow the condor to fade away, even as they fought over how and why the bird was to be saved. Scientists, farmers, developers, bird lovers, and government bureaucrats argued bitterly and often, in the process injuring one another and the species they were trying to save. In the late 1980s, the federal government made a wrenching decision - the last remaining wild condors would be caught and taken to a pair of zoos, where they would be encouraged to breed with other captive condors. Livid critics called the plan a recipe for extinction. After the zoo-based populations soared, the condors were released in the mountains of south-central California, and then into the Grand Canyon, Big Sur, and Baja California. Today the giant birds are nowhere near extinct. The giant bird with "one wing in the grave" appears to be recovering, even as the wildlands it needs keep disappearing. But the story of this bird is more than the story of a vulture with a giant wingspan - it is also the story of a wild and giant state that has become crowded and small, and of the behind-the-scenes dramas that have shaped the environmental movement."

In Search of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker

Jerome A. Jackson

2006

Reprint edition of book first published in 2004.

"A complete natural history of one of the most exciting and rare (perhaps extinct) birds in the world, and a fascinating personal quest by the world's leading expert on the species. Jackson provides detailed insights into the birds lifestyle, habitat, and cultural significance, examining its iconic status from the late 1800s to the present in advertising, conservation, and lore. Jackson's search takes him across the US and into Cuba. He spends hours flying over potential ivory-bill habitat, canoeing through isolated waterways, and trudging through swamps, always playing recorded ivory-bill calls into the wilderness, hoping for a response. A new epilogue in the paperback disputes the putative rediscovery of the bird in April 2005."

Life on the Wing: Remarkable Birds and their Extraordinary Lifestyles

Brutus Ostling and Magnus Ullman

2006

"A visual guide to how birds have become the masters of the air. Illustrated with photographs taken around the world, this book is the first to show the huge range of lifestyles that birds have used to become one of the most successful groups. From the Arctic to the Antarctic and on every ocean of the world, birds have mastered every environment, even the sky."

Birdwatching: Collins Need To Know

Rob Hume

2005

"Collins Need to Know? is a series of illustrated reference books covering a wide range of popular subjects and activities. Attractively illustrated in colour throughout, these handy, practical guides give you all the information you need to know in a concise and accessible way. Collins Need to Know? Birdwatching is the perfect beginners' guide to observing and identifying the birds you are most likely to see in your garden and in the wild. Colourful and easy-to-use, it gives at-a-glance identifying information on size, distinguishing features, seasonal changes and habitat. There is also down-to-earth advice on choosing and using equipment and information on all the best birdwatching sites in Britain. Contents include: / Getting started / About birds / Identifying birds / Habitats / Getting involved / Glossery of terms."

Bill Oddie's How to Watch Wildlife

Bill Oddie, Stephen Moss and Fiona Pitcher

Hardback: 2005

Paperback: 2008

"Bill Oddie's How to Watch Wildlife is a practical beginner's guide to enjoying the wildlife of Britain. Organised into a calendar of months, Bill tells you the best places to visit, how to catch a glimpse of our best-loved species, and things you can do for each month of the year. For example, in May, you could visit some wild flower meadows which are in their prime, see a nightingale, and experience the dawn chorus. Written in Bill's endearingly frank and witty style, this is an inspiring and refreshingly straightforward approach to watching wildlife. There are suggestions for places to visit within reach of wherever you live in Britain, and advice on watching wildlife with children. With stories of Bill's experiences in the field, it offers you and your family the know-how to start out with confidence. Bill Oddie sets out to demystify wildlife watching, giving advice on basic equipment and field craft, as well as explaining how to make the most of your encounters with animals. To guide you successfully through some of the finest wildlife experiences, there are top tips, advice for things to take with you that you might never have considered, and helpful addresses and websites for some of the activities less close to home. And in case you really get bitten by the bug, there is information on taking the next step, with hints on getting more advanced equipment, which conservation trusts to join, and wildlife holidays to make the most of your new-found skills."

The Bird-friendly Garden

Stephen Moss and Gill Tomblin

2004

A guide to making the garden a 'haven for birds'. The main part of the book comprises full-page garden plan in number of different styles. One section also covers unusual garden habitats, such as those near the coast. Also provides information on identification, what plants to grow, nest-boxes, feeders, bird-baths and protection from predators.

Attracting Wildlife to Your Garden

Michael Chinery

2004

"Our gardens have become an important nature conservation area for animals, insects and plants, especially as many natural habitats are being destroyed. With the help of this practical book, you can create not only a fascinating mini nature reserve but also a vibrant and attractive garden. Projects and special features include: creating a wildflower meadow; looking after injured, baby and hibernating hedgehogs; making a bat roost or bat box and siting it; developing a wildlife pond; planting a butterfly garden; and filming and photographing wildlife in your garden."

Wildlife Friendly Plants: Make Your Garden a Haven for Beneficial Insects, Amphibians and Birds

Rosemary Creeser

2004

"Wildlife-friendly Plants has been specially designed to help you chose the best plants to encourage and support diminishing populations of wildlife, whether your garden is big or small, in the town or country. Many of these plants are perfect for use in small spaces, such as a patio, terrace or window box. With the valuable suggestions for use, planting and aftercare covered in this book you too can create a haven for beneficial insects, amphibians and birds, irrespective of the size or location of your garden."

No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species

Richard Ellis

2004

"A noted naturalist's fascinating inquiry into the life and death of animal species."

Fossils, Finches and Fuegians: Charles Darwin's Adventures and Discoveries on the Beagle, 1832-1836

Richard Keynes

2003

"A narrative account of Darwin's historic 4-year voyage on the Beagle to South America, Australia and the Pacific in the 1830s that combines the adventure and excitement of Alan Moorehead's famous account with an expert assessment of the scientific discoveries of that journey. The author is Charles Darwin's great-grandson. In his autobiography, Charles Darwin wrote: 'The voyage of the Beagle has been by far the most important event in my life and has determined my whole career; yet it depended on so small a circumstance as my uncle offering to drive me 30 miles to Shrewsbury, which few uncles would have done, and on such a trifle as the shape of my nose. I have always felt that I owe to the voyage the first real training or education of my mind. I was led to attend closely to several branches of natural history, and thus my powers of observation were improved, though they were already fairly developed. The investigation of the geology of all the places visited was far more important, as reasoning here comes into play.' No biography of Darwin has yet done justice to what the scientific research actually was that occupied Darwin during the voyage. Keynes shows exactly how Darwin's geological researches and his observations on natural history sowed the seeds of his revolutionary theory of evolution, and led to the writing of his great works On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man."

Mind Of The Raven: Investigations And Adventures With Wolf-Birds

Bernd Heinrich

2000

"An exploration of the intelligence of the Raven which addresses such questions as instinct vs. intelligence and the way the brain works. The findings are based on field observation, experiment and personal experience."

Gardening for Birds: How to Help Birds Make the Most of Your Garden

Stephen Moss and Gill Tomblin

2000

Featuring seven garden plan illustrations, this guide covers different types of garden - window ledge, balcony, terrace or roof terrace, small suburban, large suburban and country garden. Each one is supplemented by checklists that suggest the best nest-boxes, feeders and baths to install, and also the best sorts of plants to cultivate. There is also a section on unusual gardens, such as those near the coast. Subsequent chapters look in more detail at caring for birds, providing protection from predators, and identification information. A bird calendar explains season-by-season the different birds you are likely to see in each type of garden, and the correct type of food to provide at different times of the year.

Coloured Key To The Wildfowl Of The World

Peter Scott and Malcolm Ogilvie

1998

"This is a reference for identifying wildfowl species. The text is divided by identification feature: size, shape, colour, bill shape and colour, voice, and behaviour. Characteristics noted in this section then direct you to the plates which are organized by family or "tribe". For each species there is also a detailed list of where it can be found with both breeding and wintering locations. Migration habits are also described. Also included are sections on names and classification, an index that includes both common and Latin names, and details of Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserves throughout the UK."

Birdwatching: The Ultimate Guide to the Birds of Europe

Arnoud Van den Berg, Tom Van der Have, Guido Keijl and Dominic Mitchell

1997

"Compiled by a panel of expert ornithologists and packed with advice, illustrations and practical information, this valuable reference book is broken down into four key sections, covering: origins, anatomy, behaviour, migration and habitat; birdwatching at home; birdwatching in the field, with advice on equipment, basic identification, recognising songs and calls, photography, and the best birdwatching sites; and lastly, a section looking at the various species of birds that are found in different habitats."

Rare Birds In Britain And Ireland: A Photographic Record

D. Cottridge, K Vinnicombe

1997

"This text catalogues the events and problems involved in identifying the first and subsequent sightings of the rare birds that have appeared in Britain and Ireland. It brings together information on the weather conditions, the problems involved in seeing each particular bird, who saw it and how many times that species has reappeared and where. This is the information that is of interest to twitchers, as it gives them a unique insight into when the species might reappear, and thus when they should organize their trips."

Top Birding Spots in Britain and Ireland

David Tipling

1996

"A guide to over 400 of the best birdwatching spots in Britain and Ireland -- including all RSPB reserves. Each site is described, including details of what you will see in each season, and other attractions in the area."

Collins Atlas of Bird Migration

Jonathan Elphick

1995

"This atlas traces the migratory paths of more than 100 bird species from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In addition to this a further 500 migratory species are catalogued, with details of their routes."

Eric Hosking's Classic Birds: 60 Years of Bird Photography

Eric Hosking

1993

"Eric Hosking, the bird photographer, started taking photographs of birds in the late 1920s, when he did not have the convenience of a light 35mm SLR, but had to lug a 5" plate camera to the top of trees to take his pictures. The photograph that he took over the next 70 years until his death in 1991, stand as some of the classic bird photographs of this century. This book contains a selection of the best of these photographs."

Kingfisher

Paolo Fioratti

1992

"This comprehensive study of the Kingfisher is the result of many years observations by the author. With the aid of 140 specially taken photographs, he details the whole life cycle of the Kingfisher - feeding, communication, establishing and defending territory, pair formation, nest building and death. Also discussed is the threat posed to the future of the birds by the destruction of the habitats in which they live."

An Artist On Migration

Bruce Pearson

1991

"In 1984 Bruce Pearson, famous for his paintings in the book "A Countryside in Winter", came to Collins with an idea. He would pack his studio into his rucksack and follow the migrating birds of Europe from the high Arctic to tropical Africa. As a painter, writer and ornithologist he was the ideal person to carry out this idea. This book is the result of his journey. During his travels, Bruce Pearson has visited all the major areas used by the birds in summer and winter; the wastes of Greenland and its birds that must synchronize their breeding perfectly or risk the hazard of freezing in the early onset of winter; the Ouse Washes of England, home to winter visitors from the high Arctic; and the sub-Saharan landscape where many of Europe's birds spend the winter and have suffered from the drought currently threatening all wildlife in the area. He has also stopped off at some of the bird's staging posts; he sees the huge flocks of waders on the marshes of Britain and Europe as they stop to replenish supplies on their journey; the flocks of wheeling birds of prey over the Bosphorus, crossing from one continent to the other by the shortest possible route; and the sight of waves of tiny migrants heading out over the open Mediterranean or taking on the vast and inhospitable Sahara. And as he moves to and from through Europe and Africa, he constantly meets the same species; ospreys in Denmark, Spain and Africa; wheatears and yellow wagtails almost everywhere, dunlin in the Arctic and in Africa, all journeying through Europe in search of perpetual summer. Bruce Pearson has brought together images of the countries he visited - the book is illustrated with over 180 of his colour paintings - evoking in words the story behind the extraordinary annual journey made by the birds of Europe."

Birdscape

Bruce Pearson and Robert Burton

1991

"In "Birdscape", and the Channel 4 TV series it accompanies, the author has taken six of Britain's prime birdwatching areas, and arguably some of the most beautiful areas, and looked at the birds that they contain: the cliff-top peregrines of Cornwall, the oakwoods of Wales and their precious red kites; the wildfowl of the Ouse Washes; the divers of the Scottish Flow Country; the owls of the north Norfolk marshes; and the nocturnal nightjars of the Dorset heaths. The combination of a painter and a naturalist provides a fresh view of these birds. This is not only a book about the birds of Britain. It is also a book about the countryside as a whole, including the flowers and the people who share it with the birds including plants, such as the heathers that now adorn the Dorset heaths, are threatened by on all sides of housing estates. The late Josh Scott, who used to be a wildfowler until Peter Scott managed to persuade him into becoming the first warden on the Ouse Washes, or David Treleaven, who has seen the fall and rise of his beloved Cornish peregrines and now organizes peregrine counts on New Years Day armed only with warm soup are included. Every chapter is fully illustrated and they are filled with personal encounters with plants, animals and man to bring the full splendour of the British scenery to life. Published to coincide with the 6-part television series of the same name, "Birdscape" is a graphic guide to some of the best wildlife sites in the UK."

The Hawkwatcher: Adventures Among Birds of Prey in the Wild

D.A. Orton

Foreword: Wilson Stephens

Collins / Unwin Hyman

1989

"Having devoted much of his life to studying hawks in all parts of Britain, Dick Orton recounts some of his experiences, including stories about the ospreys of Speyside, golden eagles of Sutherland, buzzards in Devon, merlins in the Welsh Marches and the rare peregrine falcon. The author is a regular contributor to "The Field" and other ornithological journals. He has written several books including a monograph on merlins."

Owls of the Northern Hemisphere

Karel H Voous

Collins

1988

An illustrated study of the 47 owl species occurring north of the tropics. Detailed species accounts include information on: faunal type; distribution; climatic zones; habitat; geographical variation; related species; fossil species; structure, vision, and hearing; behavioral characteristics (songs and calls, circadian rhythm, antagonistic behavior); ecological hierarchy, breeding habitat and breeding; food and feeding habits; movements and population dynamics; and relationship to man. There are 50 colour plates portraying all species covered in the book.

Collins Guide to the Countryside In Winter

John Wilkinson, Alastair Fitter and Richard Fitter

1988

"'Here for the first time, is a guide that concentrates on how animals and plants look, behave and survive in winter. Over 800 species of mammals, birds, insects and other invertebrates, trees and flowering plants, fungi and lower plants are described and illustrated in their winter condition."

Australia: Land Of Birds

Donald & Molly Trounson

1987

Birds of Prey of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East

Benny Gensbol

1986

"This handbook covers 46 species of raptor recorded as breeding in Britain and Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The introduction covers the general characteristics, hunting methods, migration, breeding and biology of these birds whose numbers have been drastically reduced through persecution by poisoning, shooting and egg stealing. The main text contains detailed facts on each species including distribution, population estimates and trends, migration, habitat, voice, breeding and foraging methods. The final section is designed to aid the identification of birds of prey in flight, and has details of plumage, variants, juveniles and the likelihood of confusion with other species."

The Partridge

G. R. Potts

1986

A study of partridge ecology that aims to promote methods of conservation which could arrest the decline of the Grey Partridge in the UK. Investigates methods of restricting pesticide and other strategies to aid breeding success. Includes colour plates, colour and black and white photographs and other diagrams, tables and graphs.

Collins Guide to the Countryside

John Wilkinson, Alastair Fitter and Richard Fitter

1984

"The British countryside is one of the most varied on earth. It ranges from rich woodland, meadow and hedgerows, to bleak moorland and barren mountain tops. Each of these areas forms a distinctive habitat for living things. This book telles you what sort of wild animals and plants you can expect to find in all the main British habitats."

Discovering the Birds of New Zealand

Piers Hayman

1984

An Atlas Of The Birds Of The Western Palaearctic

Colin Harrison

1982

322 pages with a map for each Western Palaearctic species and accompanying text describing status, range, habitat and nesting information."

Falcons of the World

Tom J. Cade

Collins

1982

"A detailed summary of the 39 species of the genus falco. Includes introductory chapters describing classification, anatomy, behaviour, breeding, and conservation. Individual species accountsThere is then an essay on each of the thirty-nine species of the genus falco, in which details of distribution, status, hunting, habitat, and special behaviour are considered."

The Complete Guide British Wildlife

N. Arlott, R. Fitter, A. Fitter

1981

288 pages.

A Guide to Seabirds on the Ocean Routes

Gerald Tuck

Collins

1980

Seabirds of New Zealand

Elaine Power

1979

Lambert's Birds of Shore and Estuary

Paintings: Terence Lambert

Text: Alan Mitchell

1979

128 pages with 58 colour and black and white illustrations.

The Birds of Paradise and Bower Birds

William T. Cooper and Joseph M. Forshaw

1977

304 pages with 60 full page colour plates by Cooper.

Birds of Prey of Britain and Europe

Miroslav Bouchner

Collins

1977

Listen to the Crows

Laurence P. Pringle

1976

Discusses the language of the wary, clever crow.

Lambert's birds of garden and woodland

Paintings: Terence Lambert

Text: Alan Mitchell

1976

128 pages with 64 colour illustrations.

The Cairngorms: Their Natural History and Scenery

Desmond Nethersole-Thompson and Adam Watson

Preface: V. C. Wynne-Edwards

Collins

1974

A comprehensive and authoritative account of the human and natural history of the Cairngorms.

Dotterel

Desmond Nethersole-Thompson

1973

A 288 page monograph of the dotterel which covers all aspects of their life history. Includes a colour frontispiece and 15 black and white photographs.

The Unofficial Countryside

Richard Mabey

1973

"During the early 1970s Richard Mabey set about mapping his unofficial countryside. He walked crumbling city docks and World War II bomb-sites, he navigated inner city canals and car parks, he returned again and again to sewage works, reservoirs, gravel pits, rubbish tips. What he discovered runs deeper than a natural history of our suburbs and cities. The Unofficial Countryside prescribes another way of seeing, another way of experiencing nature in our daily lives.

A bank of wildflowers glimpsed from the window of a commuter train. Kestrels shimmering above waste grounds and town parks. Enchanter's nightshade growing through pavement cracks. Fox cubs playing on the scrubby fringe of a motorway embankment. It is easy to forget the abundance of wildlife thriving so near our routines and our homes, yet there is scarcely a nook in our urban landscapes incapable of supporting life. It is an inspiration to find this abundance, to discover how plants, birds, mammals and insects flourish against the odds in the most obscure and surprising places."

New Zealand Water Birds: An Artist's Journal

Elaine Power

1973

African Birds Of Prey

Leslie Brown

1971

A study of Africa's 89 diurnal raptors and 31 owls.

Waders in New Zealand

Elaine Power

1971

Small Birds of the New Zealand Bush

Elaine Power

1971

The Kingfisher

Rosemary Eastman

1969

"From photographic hides the Eastmans were able to record for the first time the intimate habits of the Kingfisher : the unerring aim of its lightning underwater dive - the final stage of which is executed with eyes closed ; its courtship proceedings; its nest excavating techniques; curiosities of its diet; its nesting, breeding and fledging habits; its territorial calls."

Collins Guide to Bird Watching

R.S.R. Fitter

Collins

1963

"How to watch, What to watch, Where to watch."

The Return Of The Osprey

Philip Brown and George Waterson

1962

The story of the return of the Osprey to Scotland.

Wild America: The Record of a 30,000 Mile Journey Around the Continent By a Distinguished Naturalist and His British Colleague

Roger Tory Peterson & James Fisher

1956

A Thousand Geese

Peter Scott and James Fisher

1953

The story of an expedition to the Icelandic breeding grounds of Pink-footed Geese.

The Birds of the North Kent Marshes

E.H. Gillham and R.C. Homes

1950

Bird Life In Cornwall

B.H. Ryves

Collins

1948

"The author has devoted the last twenty-seven years to the intensive study of wild birds in their natural surroundings in Cornwall and has thus accumulated vast detailed knowledge and had many most interesting experiences which he relates in a charming, lucid style. Primarily written for the amateur naturalist the book has, however, a wider appeal; the most serious ornithological student will find much that will add to his knowledge."

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Haunts of British Divers

Niall Rankin

1947

A study of the breeding places and habits of three British species; the Great Crested Grebe, the Black-throated Diver and the Red-throated Diver. Includes 82 black and white photographs, 11 pen and ink drawings and colour frontispiece by Margaret Myddleton.

London's Birds

R.S.R. Fitter

1949

Birds on the Wing

John Barlee

1947

"Discusses the mechanics of bird flight and bird behavoir in flight. With black and white photographs."