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This page lists books about birds and birdwatching in France.

The books are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

French overseas regions

French Guiana
Réunion

Europe

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Finding Birds in the South of France

Dave Gosney

2016

A 44 page guide to birdwatching sites.

"This book gives precise details on how to find the most exciting birds in the Camargue, the French Alps, the French Pyrenees, the Cevennes and other sites too".

Where to Watch Birds in Northern France / Où Voir les Oiseaux dans le Nord–Pas-de-Calais

Quentin Dupriez

Delachaux et Niestle

2015

"With over 420 bird species already observed, Nord–Pas-de-Calais, the northernmost region of France, is not to be outdone by some more famous destinations, and is a hot spot for watching birds in France. Because of its geography, the region is located at a crossroads for birds. The Strait of Dover (Pas-de-Calais in French) is a major asset and forms a true funnel for marine species migration. This guide aims to allow everyone, from beginners to experienced birders, to discover the birds of the region through the description of 38 sites. These sites were selected primarily for their potential but also for their ease of access since they are usually well-equipped for reception of the public. All selected sites offer an almost exhaustive range of what can be observed in the region, whatever the season.

Cévennes and Grand Causses, France

Dirk Hilbers and Paul Knapp

KNNV Uitgeverij

2015

"This Crossbill Guide covers the Cévennes and Grands Causses which combined, form one of the wildest and most beautiful regions of France. This guide describes the flora fauna and natural history of this remarkable area. With 19 detailed route descriptions, the reader is able to explore the Cévennes and Grands Causses on foot and by car. These routes are carefully designed to cover the widest variety of landscapes and to find the most attractive species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, wildflowers and insects."

This is a slightly revised edition based on the edition published in 2009.

Tous les Oiseaux de France: de Belgique, de Suisse et du Luxembourg

Frédéric Jiguet, Aurélien Audevard

2014

"Plus de 650 espèces d’oiseaux observées en France sont ici présentées en 1500 photographies. Nicheurs, hivernants, migrateurs communs, espèces rares, exceptionnelles et potentielles sont précisément décrits. Des informations sur la voix, l’habitat et la distribution hexagonale permettent d’affiner la reconnaissance. Les principaux risques de confusion sont également notifiés. Cette approche complète permet aux ornithologues amateurs et confirmés de se concentrer sur les points essentiels pour l’identification de chaque espèce d’oiseau susceptible d’être rencontrée en France. La qualité remarquable des photos et leur caractère souvent inédit enrichissent cet exceptionnel guide de terrain, le plus complet à ce jour"

Loire Valley: Loire, Brenne and Sologne

2011

"The Loire valley (roughly the administrative region Region Centre) lies right in the heart of France. The grand river Loire flows right through the centre of the region. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site owing to its high concentration of stunning castles and stately homes. This part of France is gentle in its topography, its scenery, its climate and, with the aid of fine wines and food, its general pace of life. Perhaps less known is the fact that this region also supports a mouth-watering flora and fauna .... The Crossbill Guide to the Loire Valley - Loire, Brenne and Sologne shows you the most beautiful nature reserves and aids you in finding the most interesting, birds, plants, butterflies and dragonflies"

Birding Dordogne

David Simpson

2010

A 32 page booklet.

"The Dordogne is a wonderful area to visit at any time of year and a popular destination for families. This book will help you get the most out of a visit, highlighting the best birding areas and offering advice for your holiday. Contents include: a bird checklist for the region; where and when to find sought-after species such as Wallcreeper, Black Woodpecker and Little Bustard; new, detailed maps; a wealth of background on places to stay, how to get there and tips for birding in France. From the Verteillac plain in the north to Cahors in the south, Birding Dordogne covers all of the best birding spots of this easy-to-get-to location."

Cévennes and Grand Causses

2009

"In the south-eastern part of the Central Massif in France lie the Cévennes and Grands Causses; a remote and mountainous region of great natural beauty. The mountains are covered in forest, mixed with extensive mountain heathlands, limestone grasslands, secluded river valleys and Mediterranean scrublands, thus creating a pleasantly varied landscape. Deep, rocky gorges (such as the famous Gorge du Tarn) add a drama to the landscape .... The Crossbill Guide to the Cévennes and Grands Causses provides a beautifully illustrated and detailed guide to this fascinating region. Carefully selected itineraries allow you to discover the area at your own pace."

Wild France: The Animals, Plants And Landscape

Bob Gibbons

2009

"France boasts an amazing diversity of habitats and wildlife, from Ibex and Chamois scaling the cliff faces of the Alps and colonies of Puffins and Gannets on the rugged coasts of Brittany to one of the last western strong-holds of the European Mink on the Atlantic coast and flocks of Flamingos shimmering in the heat as they feed in the wetlands of Camargue. France is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of flora and fauna - its mammals include Wolf, Lynx and the remarkable Pyrenean Desman. It also boasts one of the highest totals of breeding bird species in Europe, some of the best butterfly sites, and an outstanding array of wildflowers. "Wild France" celebrates the landscapes and natural history of this surprisingly diverse country. Expert naturalist Bob Gibbons examines the geography and climate, the many different habitat types and the remarkable variety of wildlife, while 250 superb colour photographs dramatically illustrate the species and places mentioned in the text."

Camargue: La Crau and Les Alpilles

2006

"Before entering in the Mediterranean Sea, the River Rhone branches out into a delta to create a large coastal marshland called the Camargue. As one of the most diverse, bird-rich and accessible wetlands of the Mediterranean basin, the Camargue is deservedly a classic destination for naturalists. With the stony steppes of La Crau and the white limestone hills of the Alpilles only a few kilometres away, it would be hard to find a greater natural diversity in such a relatively small area ..... The Crossbill Guide to the Camargue, La Crau and Les Alpilles introduces you to this fascinating region and provides you with routes to discover the area on your own."

Where to Watch Birds in France

Philippe Dubios

2006

" France is a superb country for birds and birdwatching. It offers perhaps the greatest diversity of habitats of any European country, with the peaks and foothills of the Alps and Pyrenees, the spectacular expansive wetlands of the Camargue, important seabird colonies on cliffs and offshore islands in the northwest, and large areas of low-intensity farmland and unspoilt forest in the interior. This guide opens up the best of birding in France to birders living in or visiting any part of the country. The site accounts are arranged in a formula which will be familiar to readers of the series - each is described in terms of key habitats, the species to be found there, details of access, and advice on when best to time a visit. There are detailed maps for many sites, and the book is enlivened with many attractive line drawings."

Birds of the Mediterranean: A Photographic Guide

Paul Sterry

2004

"Covering all the species of birds occurring in the areas bordering the Mediterranean, this guide is illustrated throughout with photographs. The regions examined cover some of the most distinctive and bird-rich habitats in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, places as popular with sun-seeking holiday-makers as they are with birders. Seeking to appeal to both audiences, the guide features photographs of the region's birdlife, with concise descriptive text on facing pages. Digital manipulation of the photographs has been used to ensure a consistent depiction of light conditions, making comparisons between the images easier."

Birds of the Mediterranean: A Photographic Guide

Paul Sterry

2004

"The Mediterranean is remarkably rich with birds, not only because of the great diversity of habitats in the region but also because it provides the main flyway for most migrant breeding species of northern Europe. This stunning new photoguide encompasses all species of birds, including seabirds, found in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea and in the adjacent areas with a Mediterranean climate. Featuring nearly 1,000 beautiful color photographs, many of which were taken for this volume, the book presents illustrations and concise accounts of each species. The pocket-sized photoguide is convenient, up-to-date, and accurate. Through the extensive use of digital software to enhance the photographs, the book enables readers to compare similar species easily and to view far more plumage variations than ever before. Armchair travelers, birders in the field, and holiday visitors alike will find this book both delightful and useful."

A Birdwatching Guide To France North Of The Loire

Jacqueline Crozier

Arlequin Press

2003

" The area covered by this book is roughly half of France north of a line running from the south bank of the Loire estuary on the Atlantic coast to Lake Geneva in the east. Includes site maps, when to visit and what you are likely to see."

A Birdwatching Guide To Brittany

Stephanie Coghlan

2003

"Provides detailed site information, when to visit, checklist and list of French bird names. Colour habitat photos, cover by John Busby, vignettes by Dan Powell."

France: Travellers' Nature Guide

Bob Gibbons

2003

"This is one of the first four in a new series of fabulously illustrated natural history travel guides, intended for the general reader with an interest in natural history, and for the growing numbers of 'ecotourists' who want to know where to see wildlife in the countries they visit. The books are designed to complement each other and to build into a nature library, together giving an introduction to the natural history of Europe. France is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and exciting European countries for the naturalist. It is remarkably varied, with an enormous coastline shared between three seas, and vast areas of semi-natural habitats stretching upwards to the highest mountains in Europe. Ecologically, it lies at the crossroads of Europe, and shares species from virtually all the climatic regions in the continent. It is also at the hub of the European migration wheel, and huge numbers of birds pass through on the way to their breeding or wintering grounds. Essentially practical, the book first introduces the ecology, geology, and wildlife of France, then goes on to describe where to see its natural history at its best. There are descriptions of a selection of some 200 sites to visit, each carefully chosen to show a range of habitats and fascinating wildlife. The entries are the personal choice of the author and are based on intensive travel and research in the region. Described sites range in size from a few to thousands of hectares, be they National Parks, nature reserves, or simply common land, but all are open to the public and accessible to the ordinary visitor."

The Nature of France: Brittany

Dennis and Ann Furnell

2003

"Occupying the north-west corner of France, the region of Brittany covers a land area similar to that of Wales. It has a beautiful coastline over 1000 miles long, home to spectacular wildlife."

A Birdwatching Guide To France South Of The Loire

J. Crozier

Arlequin Press

2000

"The area covered by this book is roughly half of France south of a line running from the south bank of the Loire estuary on the Atlantic to Lake Geneva in the east."

Wild France: A Travellers Guide

Editor: Douglas Botting

2000

"From the subtle joys of lowland meadows or the tranquillity of the meandering Loire to the wave-lashed Atlantic coast or the high mountains shaped by millennia of glacial activity, France offers an impressive list of wild places. This book selects the best and conveys with enthusiasm, region by region, the natural charm of the French countryside."

The Birds of Corsica: An Annotated Checklist

J-C Thibault and G Bonaccorsi

1999

"The systematic list details the status of over 320 breeding, migrant and vagrant species. The introductory chapters include detailed sections on Corsica's general history, geology and geography, climate, vegetation, breeding species (including endemicity and trends), migration, conservation, history of ornithological activity and data collection."

A Birdwatching Guide To The Pyrenees

Jacqui Crozier

1998

"A birdfinding site guide to the Pyrenees mountains. Describes 26 sites of interest on both sides of the range, in France & Spain & includes Andorra. It also gives guidance on flowers & mammals. Includes site maps, color plates and a checklist of all resident, migrant and occasional breeders, passage migrants, winter visitors and accidental visitors."

Where to Watch Birds in Holland, Belgium & Northern France

Arnoud D Van Den Berg, Dominique Lafontaine and Clive Byers

Hamlyn

1996

"This comprehensive guide lists and describes around 200 of the best birdwatching sites in France, Holland and Belgium, covering a variety of habitat types, and includes details of the various species to be seen during each season, illustrations of specialities, sketch maps of major sites and access information for each area. Colour plates feature about 80 birds of the region."

Pour Une Loire Vivante / That The Loire May Live

Artists For Nature Foundation

1996

Bilingual: French / English.

"The Loire remains a unique system of natural habitats from its sources to its estuary. However we urgently need to adopt a new approach to managing the river, one that is less coldly-technical, more ecologically caring, more concerned for future generations."

Artists include: Kim Atkinson, David Barker, Denis Chavigny, Jean Chevallier, Denis Clavreul, David Daly, Sybren de Graaff, Francois Desbordes, Kasobane, Tsunehiko Kuwabara, Yvon Lecorre, Cecile Nivet, Greg Poole, Andrea Rich, Milos Sikora, Zhou Yun

Finding Birds in Northern France

Dave Gosney

1994

28 page guide.

Finding Birds in Southern France

Dave Gosney

1994

30 page guide.

Where to Watch Birds in France

Philippe Dubios

1992

"This guide to birdwatching in France recommends the best bird watching sites ranging from shorelines to woodland. Information is given on the various habitats of each of the 297 sites - with 120 sites containing an itinerary cross-referenced to the text. Tips on the birds likely to be seen there, season by season, and information on the best time to go for maximum enjoyment as well as information on the flora and fauna to be found on the site are included. Necessary practical details are given, accompanied by maps on access and how to get to the site as well as pointers to its suitability for photography, educational facilities, organized group visits and visits by disabled enthusiasts and those with young families."

Birds of the Mediterranean and Alps

Lars Jonsson

Croom Helm

1982

"This is the fifth book in the series covering a variety of habitat and natural environments in Europe. This book focuses mainly on the European countries found along the Mediterranean, but a few birds found only around Turkey and southwards are included, such as the Black-headed (aka, White-spectacled) Bulbul. Not all birds found near the Mediterranean are included. To keep the size of the book smaller, the author included a selection of 160 birds typically not found in the northern parts of Europe."