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A series of in-depth guides to birdwatching in different regions. Each book contains site accounts with information about habitat, timing and access allowing visitors to plan excursions to maximise the chances of getting the best out of the site. The books also contain plans, maps and lists of birds in the region.

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

There are a number of Helm pages on the site

Regional ID Guides

Photographic Guides

County Avifaunas

Where To Watch Birds (GB)

Where To Watch Birds (World)

Other Helm publications

Where to Watch Birds in Northern and Eastern Spain

Michael Rebane and Ernest Garcia

Bloomsbury Publishing / Helm

2017

"This region embraces an impressive range of habitats from the Pyrenees to the sun-drenched Catalan coast. As a consequence the area is rich in birdlife and full of potential for visiting birders. Almost 200 sites are described in this fully updated third edition, with full coverage of terms of habitat, access and the species to be seen. The accounts are illustrated by detailed maps and beautiful line drawings of selected species. Where to Watch Birds in Northern & Eastern Spain includes comprehensive coverage of all thirteen autonomous regions, a descriptive list of all the resident, visiting and rare birds to be found, as well as advice on watching seabirds from key sites like Estaca de Bares. This edition provides better coverage than ever to one of the most popular birding destinations in Europe."

Where to Watch Birds in Costa Rica

Barrett Lawson

2010

"Costa Rica is famed for its rich diversity of wildlife. More than 820 species occur in this small country and almost a third of the country is protected in reserves. This superb new guide features 53 top birding locations throughout the country, grouped into six regions that reflect avian distribution in Costa Rica. Each site includes a general introduction and access directions, with many maps and lists of target species. Eight sample itineraries will help plan a visit to the country, and a complete checklist includes abundance ratings. Information is also included about the best locations to find endemics and other sought-after species."

Where to Watch Birds in Ethiopia

Claire Spottiswoode, Merid Gabremichael & Julian Francis

2010

"Ethiopia is one of Africa's top birding destinations, harbouring dramatic scenery, a wonderful diversity of habitats, over 30 endemic species, and a number of other regional specialities that cannot be easily seen anywhere else in the world. No self-respecting world lister can afford not to go there! This new book is a comprehensive site guide to the 50 best birding sites in the country. Each site describes how to get there, what you can see there, and when to visit. A number of full colour maps complement the site texts, and GPS co-ordinates allow sites to be located with great accuracy. A section covering the top 50 species gives details of how to see each of these special birds. The book is completed with an annotated checklist of all the country's birds and more than 150 photographs of birds, habitats and even some of Ethiopia's other fauna and flora."

Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain

Ernest Garcia & Andrew Patterson

2008

"Southern Iberia is in the top rank of European birding hotspots. The third edition of this popular book, first published in 1994, continues to ensure that visitors can make the most of the region's many attractions. Regular visits have brought the information on all sites up-to-date: maps, access details and species lists have received particular attention. Popular localities such as Donana, Monfrague and the Strait of Gibraltar get prominent treatment but the reader is encouraged to wander further afield to visit other, less well-known but rewarding sites, including a considerable number of additional localities which are new to this edition."

Where to Watch Birds in Northern and Eastern Spain

Michael Rebane and Ernest Garcia

2008

"North and east Spain embraces an impressive range of habitats from the Pyrenees to the sun-drenched Catalan coast. As a consequence the area is rich in birdlife and full of potential for visiting birders. Almost 200 sites are described in terms of habitat, access and the species to be seen. The major sites are accompanied by a map as well as maps of the region to show the location of each site. The first edition of this book, by Michael Rebane, has played a major part in drawing attention to parts of Spain which have been relatively neglected by birding visitors. Michael Rebane has been joined by Ernest Garcia for this comprehensive revision, which brings the information on all sites up-to-date and introduces a number of exciting new localities. All the important sites in the mountains, plains and coastlands of the region are covered in detail."

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."

Where to Watch Birds in World Cities

Paul Milne

2006

Where to Watch Birds in Central America and the Caribbean

Nigel Wheatley and David Brewer

2002

"This guide covers the best birding sites in Central America and the Caribbean. In a format familiar to readers of this very popular series, each site is considered in terms of 'Habitat', 'Timing', 'Access' and 'Calendar', allowing birders to plan excursions to maximise the chances of getting the best out of each site and each region. The book includes detailed maps of the larger sites, plus general maps of the regions covered, and it is illustrated with line drawings."

Where to Watch Birds in Southern and Western Spain

Ernest Garcia & Andrew Patterson

2001

"A revised and updated edition covering all the major birdwatching sites in Southern and Western Spain: Donana, Monfrague, La Serena, Tabernas desert, Jerte Valley and Gibraltar."

Where to Watch Birds in Europe and Russia

Nigel Wheatley

2000

"Over 250 major sites are treated in this book, and many more in passing from Iceland across Europe through Georgia to Ussuriland in southeast Russia. Countries, archipelagos and islands are treated alphabetically, the introduction to each being accompanied by a map showing major routes and the distribution of sites. Each site account lists the birds to be seen and how and where to find them, particularly the specialities, and there is also information on other wildlife and tips on finding accommodation. There is a general introduction to the region, a list of useful addresses to aid in planning and researching a trip as well as a site index and, most importantly, a species index which will enable readers to pinpoint the birds they most want to see."

Where to Watch Birds in South America

Nigel Wheatley

2000

Where to Watch Birds in North and East Spain

Michael Rebane

1999

"North and east Spain embraces an impressive range of habitats from the Pyrenees to the sun-drenched Catalan coast. As a consequence the area is rich in birdlife and full of potential for visiting birders. The 189 sites are described in terms of habitat, access and the species to be seen. The 104 major sites are accompanied by a map as well as maps of the region to show the location of each site."

Where to Watch Birds in Switzerland

Marco Sacchi

1999

"Famous for its alpine bird specialities such as Wallcreeper, Alpine Accentor, Alpine Chough and Nutcracker, Switzerland has much to offer any birder. This is a guide to 45 of the best birdwatching sites with species information, suggested times to visit and details on transport and accommodation. Each site has a map with itineraries indicated so that no time is wasted once there."

Where to Watch Birds in Australasia and Oceania

Nigel Wheatley

1998

"Where to Watch Birds in Australasia and Oceania is the fourth guide in a series that will ultimately cover the whole world. It describes over two hundred major sites in detail and many more in passing, from New Guinea to New Zealand and across the Pacific to Hawaii. Most important, it answers crucial questions you find yourself asking before you go: Where can I see birds that epitomize the region? Which country supports the best cross section of species and the most endemics, and which sites do I need to visit to see most of them? How long do I need, and when is the best time to go? The layout of the book is practical, with countries, archipelagos, and islands treated alphabetically. General introductions to each country are followed by site details, which include bird lists under the headings "Endemics," "Specialties," and "Others"; a list of other wildlife if applicable; and the latest information on where to look for the best birds. Over one hundred maps and fifty line drawings complement the text. This guide will prove invaluable in both the preparation and execution of birding trips to any country, archipelago, or island in this highly varied region of the world."

Where to Watch Birds in Asia

Nigel Wheatley

1996

"This guide to birdwatching in Asia deals with over 250 sites in detail, and more in passing, from Turkey to Thailand and India to Indonesia. It is designed as much for pre-planning birding trips as for use in the country or countries on the itinerary. The countries are dealt with alphabetically and after a general introduction, there are site details, which include a list of birds to be seen, organized under the headings Endemics, Specialities and Others; a list of "Other Wildlife" is also included where there is something of particular interest."

Where to Watch Birds in Africa

Nigel Wheatley

1995

"One of a series of guides devoted to birdwatching, this book contains site accounts, plans, maps, lists of birds in the regions and advice on planning bird-watching trips. It deals with over 200 sites in detail, and mentions many others. Each country is covered alphabetically, including archipelagos and isolated islands off the African mainland, for example, the Azores. Bird lists are included under the headings "Endemics", "Specialities", "Others" and also "Other Wildlife", if relevant. Access details are given, often with detailed site maps. The emphasis of the book is "bird finding", that is, where to go for the "best" species."

Where to Watch Birds in Southern Spain

Ernest Garcia and Andrew Paterson

1994

" A guide to finding birds in Andalucia, Extremadura and Gibraltar. Within the ten provinces covered are 92 major and 84 minor or subsiduary sites. The book provides a list of all the birds of the region, a summary of rare birds recorded in the area and information on travel and accommodation."

Where to Watch Birds in Italy

Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli

1994

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."