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Liverpool University Press: bird related books.

This page collects together bird related books published Liverpool University Press.

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

 

The Birds of Herefordshire 2007-2012

Mervyn Davies, Peter Eldridge, Chris Robinson, Nick Smith, Gerald Wells

Liverpool University Press

2014

"The Birds of Herefordshire is the first systematic assessment of the breeding and wintering distribution and abundance of the bird species of the county of Herefordshire. It is the culmination of a project, undertaken over a period of ten years, by the Herefordshire Ornithological Club (HOC). The Club, founded in 1950, has carried out many surveys and published annual reports, but never an undertaking as large as a county Bird Atlas. The opportunity provided by the initiation of the British Trust for Ornithology’s ambitious Bird Atlas 2007-11, published in 2013, gave the invaluable stimulus and collaborative framework for HOC to embark on the task. Field work, conducted over the five years 2007-12 amassed a volume of data from a total of 545 tetrads (2-km squares) surveyed across the county. Observations by HOC members and numerous other birders contributed nearly a quarter of a million records to combined BTO and HOC datasets. The Atlas presents 215 species accounts and includes 348 distribution and abundance maps with colour plates of many species. Together with supporting chapters, this Atlas provides a unique benchmark of the current status of the birds of Herefordshire, which will not only expand our understanding but form the basis of future monitoring of the county’s bird populations. It will also be of value for research, conservation and, indeed, to all interested bodies working to maintain the well-being of Herefordshire birdlife."

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The Birds of Gloucestershire

Gordon Kirk and John Phillips

For the Gloucestershire Ornithological Coordinating Committee

Liverpool University Press

2013

"This is the most comprehensive account of Gloucestershire's birds ever produced, covering all the species recorded in the county in modern times. There are detailed maps showing the distribution and abundance of over 130 regular species, based on four years of fieldwork carried out by hundreds of volunteers. Graphs, tables and statistics illustrate the patterns of occurrence of many species, including passage migrants and rarities. Also included are descriptions of the bird habitats and the history of bird watching and conservation in the county. Some of Britain's most prominent bird artists, past and present, including Jackie Garner, Robert Gillmor, Terence Lambert, Peter Partington, Peter Scott and Keith Shackleton, have provided beautiful illustrations, which sit alongside sumptuous photographs of many of the birds and the county's landscapes."

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The Birds of Derbyshire

Editor: Roy Frost and Steve Shaw

On behalf of the Derbyshire Ornithological Society

Liverpool University Press

2013

"This book is the result of almost 20 years of endeavour by the Derbyshire Ornithological Society. It follows on from the only two previous books devoted to Derbyshire's birdlife, Whitlock (1893) and Frost (1978). It contains 319 accounts of species that have been reliably recorded in the county. Amongst those are 135 breeders for which distribution maps are given and over 100 are illustrated with black and white vignettes. Also included are sections on a history of Derbyshire ornithology, the Derbyshire Ornithological Society, ringing in Derbyshire, a general description of the county, a summary of Derbyshire statistics, changes to the county boundary, place names, the natural areas, a chronology of additions to the county list, fossil species, escaped and released species, unacceptable historic records, the breeding bird survey and a comprehensive gazetteer. Beautifully illustrated and with an abundance of information for the serious and armchair ornithologist alike, The Birds of Derbyshire will be the definitive study of the region's birds for many years to come."

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The Breeding Birds of North Wales

Editor: Ian M. Spence, Anne Brenchley, Rhion Pritchard and Geoff Gibbs

Liverpool University Press

2013

"Framed by the magnificent and internationally important coastline from the Dyfi round Anglesey to the Dee, North Wales, which includes the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park, is a very special place for birds. In excess of 700 contributors submitted more than 200,000 records over five summers to produce this fascinating atlas of the area's breeding birds. Lavishly illustrated with stunning photographs this beautiful full colour book includes fully bilingual introductory chapters, a Welsh language précis alongside each English language species account and a wealth of recording data, maps and tables."

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Birds of the Heart of England

Trevor Easterbrook

On behalf of the Banbury Ornithological Survey

Liverpool University Press

2013

"Drawing upon a remarkable sixty years of surveys, this fascinating and richly illustrated book provides an in-depth picture of birdlife in the very heart of the United Kingdom, the twelve 10km squares surrounding Banbury and including parts of Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. The product of annual surveys since 1952, Birds of the Heart of England creates a snapshot of remarkable changes in the distribution of many birds through the use of clear colour maps, species accounts and a variety of illustrations. It will be required reading in the region but its sheer depth of data will make it an important volume for ornithological groups across the UK."

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Birds of the Cotswolds: A New Breeding Atlas

Iain Main, Dave Pearce and Tim Hutton

Liverpool University Press

2009

"Since the 1980s the bird life of the Cotswolds has seen significant changes, many of them subtle but some spectacular. This beautifully illustrated and extensively researched book, the product of five years' field work exposes these changes with the aid of simple and clear colour maps which give not only a detailed but easily understood picture of the breeding distributions of bird species in the area today, but also a comparison with 20 years ago. The maps are accompanied by descriptive accounts for each species, often containing fascinating local information. The book discusses the relative difficulties of surveying the different species, which will be of help to others undertaking the same task elsewhere. It is richly illustrated by colour photographs of the birds and their habitats. Its easy style and clarity will make this book of great interest not only to ornithologists, but to everyone with a concern for the natural environment of the Cotswolds, and to anyone planning a visit to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

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Birds In Cheshire And Wirral: A Breeding and Wintering Atlas

David Norman

Liverpool University Press

2008

"Cheshire and Wirral provides a wide range of habitats for birds, from the internationally important estuaries of the Dee and Mersey in the west to the high moors of the Peak District National Park in the east. During 2004 to 2007 more than 350 volunteers spent over 50,000 hours surveying each 2x2 km tetrad in Cheshire and Wirral, recording every bird species in the breeding season and in winter. This Atlas reveals dramatic changes since the county's first breeding bird Atlas of 1978-84, and also for the first time shows the detailed distribution of the wintering species. Lavishly illustrated with 300 pictures by local photographers and artists, this colour Atlas provides full accounts of 186 species, with briefer treatments for a further 31. More than 500 maps show the birds' distribution in the two seasons as well as the difference between seasons and the spectacular gains and losses in breeding status over the last twenty years. For the first time at county level, this Atlas also includes figures for the breeding populations of 65 of the most numerous species, 35 of which also feature abundance maps. In a further innovation for a project of this nature, observers recorded details of the birds' habitats, greatly increasing its overall conservation value."

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Manx Bird Atlas: An Atlas of Breeding and Wintering Birds on the Isle of Man

Editor: Chris Sharpe

Liverpool University Press

2007

"The Manx Bird Atlas project was established to undertake the first comprehensive survey of all bird species to be found on the Island during both the winter and summer. During the five-year programme of work professional ornithologists surveyed the entire Island using new and innovative survey techniques. The survey, which ran from 1998 to 2003, is the most detailed of its kind ever undertaken in Europe. Such methods have generated data that provides distribution and abundant information for 150 species. Beautiful hand-drawn illustrations and full colour maps sit alongside the survey in this landmark publication. Whether you are an amateur or professional ornithologist, or simply interested in the natural beauty of the Isle of Man, this long-awaited book provides a fascinating account of the Island's bird life."

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Martin Mere: Lancashire's Lost Lake

A. Coney and W.G. Hale

Liverpool University Press

2005

"Martin Mere is best known as an extremely beautiful nature reserve located in Lancashire and maintained by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. A History of Martin Mere reveals the fascinating origins of this particular part of Britain. Martin Mere was the largest lake in England when it was proposed by Thomas Fleetwood in 1700 that it should be drained and converted to dry land. A History of Martin Mere records the history of this area from the ice age to the present day, Coney and Hale examine in detail the consequences of Thomas Fleetwoods actions in particular the social and economic effects on the surrounding community and the Lake District, as well as the dramatic transformation of the environment and wildlife. The book contains over 40 illustrations covering amazing variety of birdlife, views of Martin Mere and the original plans for the drainage of the area. A History of Martin Mere provides a comprehensive and fascinating history of one North West Englands most striking areas of natural beauty and will be essential reading for the natural historian and tourist alike."

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Hilbre: The Cheshire Island: Its History and Natural History

Editor: J.D. Crags

Liverpool University Press

1983

"This is the first book entirely devoted to a study of the Hilbre islands, which are situated about one mile from the extreme north-western corner of the Wirral Peninsula. These tidal islands have been famous among bird watchers for many years, during which time the ringing and continuous recording of birds has provided much valuable data about migration patterns. The Hilbre nature reserve is also of great importance to anyone carrying out serious research in the fields of botany and zoology, with its unique species of marine algae and spiders, and the particularly interesting grey seals. All of the contributors to this volume are specialists in their field, and have been engaged in research on Hilbre for many years; much of the data contained in their essays is based on research carried out especially for this publication. This comprehensive account of the human and natural history of the islands, richly illustrated with line drawings and photographs, will be of importance to all natural historians and will also be of considerable interest to many general readers."

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Last updated August 2013