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North Wales

For the purposes of this page North Wales comprises Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Conwy and Gwynedd. The area includes all of Snowdonia. The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top of the page.

Wales

Wales

For bird books that cover specific regions see:

Anglesey
Mid-Wales
North Wales
South Wales
Pembrokeshire

Birds of Caernarfonshire

Rhion Pritchard

2016

"The first complete account of Caernarfonshire’s birds (breeding, wintering and passage) for 20 years. 293 pages of text and 8 pages of illustrations showing bird habitats in the county. For breeding birds it draws heavily on the records collected during the BTO Atlas 2007-2011, and using these Rhion has derived population estimates for most species breeding in the county. Atlas distribution maps are not included as these are already available in the Breeding Birds of North Wales (2013)."

The Breeding Birds of North Wales

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

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."

Birds of Meirionnydd / Adar Meirionnydd

Rhion Pritchard

2012

"The records included in the systematic list are those recorded in the vice-county of Meirionnydd up to 31st December 2011. Every tetrad in Meirionnydd, as well as the other North Wales counties, was visited by fieldworkers between April and July diring the period from 2008 to 2011, with additional visits to some tetrads in 2012. The results of this fieldwork give the most complete picture yet obtained of the county's bird population."

Birds, Boots and Butties: Conwy Valley/Eastern Snowdonia

Ruth Miller

2009

A birdwatching and walking guide to the Conwy Valley and Eastern Snowdonia.

Nature of Snowdonia: A Beginner's Guide to the Upland Environment

Mike Raine

2009

"This is the first complete field guide for the mountains of Snowdonia through the seasons, its plants, animals and rocks. Don't tear up your chunky field guides to hill flowers, birds, lichens and animal tracks - pack this small volume in your rucksack for a day in the hills instead. Everything you're likely to see in the hills at that time of year is here in one volume. The chapters are organised by season; winter is the perfect time for studying rocks and lichen; in spring the bog flowers flourish and beautiful orchids bloom; summer brings fruits and flowers, and the trees are in full leaf; and, in autumn an amazing display of fungi appear, and the hill farms are busy again in preparation for winter. Each species is identified by its English common name, scientific name and Welsh name (there's also a brief guide to pronouncing Welsh names), accompanied by a clear colour photograph as it can be seen on the hills of Snowdonia. The geology section includes clear colour diagrams of the geological processes which formed the rocks underfoot and there's a rock quiz to help you remember your rock types. A little knowledge of thyme, tormentil and thrift will enhance your day in the hills. Fossil trilobytes and roche moutonnee (rock sheep), bogbean beer and caterpillar fungus, are just some of the fascinating things you will discover. This is the first book of its kind for Snowdonia, encompassing all the things a hillwalker or climber might see in the hills throughout the year."

Best Birdwatching Sites: North Wales

Alan Davies and Owen Roberts

2007

"This book features around 60 sites from South Stack on Anglesey to Gresford Flash near Wrexham, together with detailed maps and access information, disabled access, public transport information and even a guide on how to pronounce the Welsh names correctly."

Atlas of Recoveries of Birds Ringed by Bardsey Observatory 1953-1996

Dick Loxton, Tom Kittle and Peter Hope Jones

1999

The Birds of Caernarfonshire

John Barnes & Philip Snow

1997

169 pages. A full systematic list of birds recorded in the county with current and historical status. Includes line illustrations, maps and colour photographs.

The Nature Of North Wales

The Wildlife And Ecology Of Clywd

W.S. Lacey and M. Joan Morgan

1989

The Natural History of Bardsey

Peter Hope Jones

1988

RSPB Guide To Birdwatching In Snowdonia

Roger Lovegrove

1987

The Birds of Bardsey

Peter Roberts

1985

"A complete and detailed account of the ornithology of Bardsey, the jewel of Welsh islands, and the only bird observatory in Wales."

Bardsey: Its History And Wildlife

Editor: Peter Hope Jones

14 page booklet.

Birdwatching In Snowdonia

E. Breeze Jones and G.E. Thomas

1976

Birds of Caernarfonshire

Peter Hope Jones

1976

A full systematic list of birds recorded in the county.

Birds of Merioneth

Peter Hope Jones

1974

91 page book.

The Birds of Flintshire

J.E. Birch, R.R. Birch, J.M. Birkwell, E.J. Stokes and G.F. Walton

1968

38 page booklet.

The Snowdonia National Park

W.M. Condry

The New Naturalist 47

1966

"William Condry, who for years has explored Snowdonia and studied its natural history, traces the formation and geology of the region, showing how they are related to soil and vegetation, and these in turn to animal life; he describes the mountain country section by section; while for those whose interests are in a pass less than prehistoric, he gives a lively account of some previous travelers to North Wales."

Snowdonia: The National Park of North Wales

F.J. North, B. Campbell & R. Scott

The New Naturalist 13

1949

A Handbook To The Vertebrate Fauna Of North Wales

H. Edward Forrest

1919

From the Introductory Note: "The present volume is designed to furnish in a convenient form an account of the Birds, Beasts and Fishes of North Wales. Under each species is a brief summary showing its status and distribution in the district. This gives at a glance the information usually sought by a naturalist or visitor coming into North Wales."

The Vertebrate Fauna Of North Wales

H. Edward Forrest

1907

List Of The Birds Of North Wales

Compiled For The Use Of Gymdeithas Llafar Gwlad

Rev. T. Shankland

1891

Preliminary notice:

"This List has been compiled with a view of securing uniformity of value in the results of the labours of 'Llafar Gwlad' collectors. It will also facilitate their work. If those who are disposed to help the Society, will observe the following Rules, they will not only assist the Society to gain its object, but also enable it to render a very valuable contribution to the Ornithology of North Wales. This List does not pretend as yet to possess any scientific value, but it is hoped that it will serve as a provisional basis for building up a list of great value at some future time. Naturalists are kindly requested to aid in tilling up gaps and correcting any errors."