On this page

The books on this page are the bird related books, plus some books that cover more general subjects, that have been published by or in association with the Wildlife Trusts. The Wildlife Trusts have been speaking out for wildlife since 1912 and play a key part in restoring the balance between new developments and the natural world. With the specialist skills of volunteers and staff they manage more than 2,300 wildlife reserves

The books on this page are in chronological order with the most recent at the top.

Bloomsbury Concise Garden Bird Guide

Bloomsbury

In association with The Wildlife Trust

2014

This is a reprint of the New Holland Concise Garden Bird Guide which was published in 2012

"This beautifully illustrated mini field guide is first and foremost a garden bird identification guide containing detailed descriptions of the most commonly encountered species, as well as some rarities and birds you may only see flying overhead in gardens. Eighty-eight species, illustrated with more than 400 superb full-colour artworks, are covered. The book also includes general guidelines on food, feeders, nest boxes and other items that can greatly increase the presence of birds in your garden. A concise written account for each species covers data such as size, general description, voice, habitat, food, occurrence in gardens, and distribution in Britain and the near Continent. The easy-to-follow layouts and superb artworks aid quick and accurate identification, making the book an indispensable reference in the field as well as in the home and garden."

Discover Yorkshire's Wildlife: Your Guide to Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Nature Reserves

Editor: Jonathan Leadley, Joanna Richards

2012

"Your guidebook to all of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's nature reserves, as well as a guide to Sheffield Wildlife Trust's nature reserves and information on the top habitats and species found in the region. Yorkshire is world-renowned for its spectacular and varied landscapes teeming with wildlife. The county offers locals and visitors the chance to experience rugged coastline, majestic heather moorland, tranquil river valleys and ancient woodland within a single day. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is the largest charity dedicated to wildlife conservation in the county. The Trust looks after many of Yorkshire's best wildlife sites and this book will help you explore and enjoy the landscape and wildlife of these beautiful places."

Concise Garden Bird Guide

2012

"This beautifully illustrated mini field guide is first and foremost a garden bird identification guide containing detailed descriptions of the most commonly encountered species, as well as some rarities and birds you may only see flying overhead in gardens. Eighty-eight species, illustrated with more than 400 superb full-colour artworks, are covered. The book also includes general guidelines on food, feeders, nest boxes and other items that can greatly increase the presence of birds in your garden. A concise written account for each species covers data such as size, general description, voice, habitat, food, occurrence in gardens, and distribution in Britain and the near Continent. The easy-to-follow layouts and superb artworks aid quick and accurate identification, making the book an indispensable reference in the field as well as in the home and garden."

New Holland Concise Bird Guide

2010

"This beautifully illustrated mini field guide is packed with information on the birds of Britain and the near Continent. It covers more than 250 species, which are illustrated with superb full-colour artworks that show - where relevant - variations in plumage, for example for male, female and juvenile birds, and breeding and non-breeding birds. A concise written account covering size, description, voice, habitat, distribution and habits appears on the same page. The easy-to-follow layouts and superb artworks aid quick and accurate identification, and make this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home. It is compact enough to fit in the pocket, yet packed with essential information for the nature enthusiast. To protect it against the elements in the field, the book is wrapped in a durable plastic wallet. Also included is a foldout insert illustrating such topics as variations in plumage in flying birds of different species."

Garden Bird Behaviour

Robert Burton

2008

"A comprehensively illustrated overview of all aspects of garden bird behaviour that describes what garden birds do and why they do it. Thought provoking and animated text that analyses everyday bird activity as well as shedding light on some more unusual behaviour such as sparrow 'weddings' and fostering. Packed with over 150 inspirational and original artworks and informative colour photographs."

Birdwatcher's Guide: Bird Identification and Fieldcraft

Mark Ward

2008

"This book shows how easy birdwatching can be, by improving key skills in various ways. Identification is discussed first, before more advanced topics are introduced, such as the changing of certain species appearances throughout the year. Other subjects that are explored include fieldcraft, the specialist skills that all birders need during different seasons, and details on what to do, what to look for and how to make the most of each birdwatching trip."

Birdwatcher's Guide: Understanding Bird Behaviour

Stephen Moss

2006

"This attractive guide is an essential, information-packed introduction to bird behaviour, perfect for both the novice birdwatcher keen to learn and the more practised birder, who wants to know more. The way birds behave is one of the vital keys to accurate identification and this book provides that all-important experienced instruction needed to understand and get the most out of watching birds. This informative guide covers all the important types of bird behaviour, including movement, feeding, breeding, migration, navigation, distribution, range, life and death, all of which are lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs and artwork. There is a whole section dedicated to the behaviour of different species groups, from divers and grebes right through to sparrows, buntings and finches."

Wildlife Gardening for Everyone

Editor: Malcolm Tait

2006

"In 2005, the RHS and The Wildlife Trusts combined their expertise to launch an exciting and innovative new perspective to wildlife gardening. By encouraging members of the public to swap ideas, experiences, questions and answers with each other through the internet, they were able to develop a network of wildlife gardening discussions and shared information. This book takes the very best of those ideas, and tops them up with expert advice from professional RHS gardeners and Wildlife Trust naturalists. Within these pages you will discover all the benefits of gardening for wildlife, for your garden...and for you."

Birdwatcher's Guide: Bird Migration

Dominic Couzens

2005

"From describing the many different types of bird migration to information on how to study and observe migration, all you need to know about this subject is included in this excellent book. The Orientation Mechanisms and Weather and Migration chapters reveal the amazing ways in which birds know how to travel vast distances without getting lost, and Great Journeys tells of the incredible feats of athleticism that birds such as Swallows, Arctic Terns and Eleonora's Falcons achieve when they fly for thousands of miles to reach their wintering grounds. The Migratory Table is a unique easy-reference chart that makes it simple to check the migratory habits of all birds that pass through the British Isles and Northern Europe. This book takes a birdwatcher's view of migration. It focuses on what a birder might see and experience and question. Information on where to see migrating birds or observe ringing is included, as is how to interpret the weather in terms of its impact on migration."

Birdwatcher's Guide: Bird Identification and Fieldcraft

Mark Ward

2005

This book "aims to improve the skills of birders of all levels. Firstly, the book deals with identification and covers the approaches, explaining how to ID birds. It then moves on to a more advanced level, dealing with topics such as changing appearances throughout the year. Secondly, it turns its attention to fieldcraft, looking at specialist skills that all birders need and the birding year, providing details on what to do, what to look for and how to make the most of each season. Superb photos and artworks, many specially commissioned, beautifully illustrate the text. This book will offer invaluable information, hints and tips usually only gleaned through years of experience and very rarely found in print form."

Garden Bird Behaviour

Robert Burton

2005

"Garden Bird Behaviour explores a wide range of bird behaviour including courtship, territorial behaviour, singing, nesting, flying, feeding, and migration; it's an invaluable guide that will help you get the most out of your birdwatching hobby. Written in a personal and encouraging style, with wonderful photographs and colour artwork, Garden Bird Behaviour is as enjoyable to read as it is informative. The emphasis is on observing the birds that frequent your garden and taking time to spot the different characteristics of each species as they feed, interact or raise their young, in order to gradually build up a comprehensive understanding of their behaviour."

The Birdwatcher's Pocket Field Guide to Birds of Parks and Gardens

Mark Golley

New Holland Publishers

2004

"With comprehensive and informative, jargon-free text, written by birdwatching expert Mark Golley, this book is packed with identification tips, details of habitat and calls for over 80 bird species - all those seen regularly around Britain and Ireland as well as some of the less common migrants."

A Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland by Habitat

Mark Golley, Dave Daly

2004

A guide describing just under 300 species organised by habitat for ease of use. The text includes identification tips, details of habitat and calls for over 280 bird species. It is illustrated with over 1000 spectacular, full-colour illustrations by Dave Daly.

A Birdwatcher's Guide: How to Birdwatch

Stephen Moss

2003

An introduction to an increasingly popular pastime, this title takes the reader through all the basic information that he or she will need - from choosing the right field guide to selecting a suitable pair of binoculars and/or telescope. It shows you how to avoid common identification errors, demonstrates vital field techniques, illustrates the principles of basic field notes from your observations and how and when to find the birds themselves. It also considers birdwatching in your local "patch" and further afield. Bird fairs, conferences and organized trips are also covered, as is the key role that all birdwatchers can play in bird conservation.

The Garden Bird Handbook

Stephen Moss

2003

"Whatever the size, style or location of your garden, this guide offers suggestions on making the most of your space for birds and increasing the variety, number and regularity of birds. Written in a friendly, encouraging style, the book is packed with practical advice and information, ranging from planning and maintaining a bird-friendly garden, attracting, observing and feeding the entire range of likely visitors, through to a genuine understanding of bird behaviour. Illustrated throughout, there is also a full guide to garden birds to help with accurate identification. A special directory of plants that attract birds is included to help you plan your garden and a month-by-month guide offers tips on what to look for."

The Wildlife Pond Handbook: A Practical Guide to Creating and Maintaining Your Own Wetland for Wildlife

Louise Bardsley

2003

"With this book wildlife and garden enthusiasts can discover and explore the world of ponds: from bugs, beetles and dragonflies, to frogs, newts, birds and bats. It offers clear step-by-step instructions on how to plan, design, site and build small and large ponds for wildlife and is full of suggestions on how to encourage different plants and animals. Also included are details on a wide variety of plants, tips on how to maintain your pond through the seasons and clear, annotated diagrams on its construction."

Nick Baker's British Wildlife: A Month by Month Guide

Nick Baker

2003

"Richly illustrated, the book explains what is happening in nature in each month of the year and provides advice on finding a wide variety of wildlife - often in the most unexpected places. In back gardens or city centres, on the Dorset heaths or in the Scottish Highlands, each season paints a fresh pattern on nature - there is always something new to discover for town and city dwellers or those who live by the sea or in the wilds of the countryside."

The Wildlife Trusts Guide to Birds

David Daly

2002

An identification guide covering nearly 130 of the most commonly encountered bird species in Britain and Northern Europe. Illustrated with nearly 130 detailed colour artworks and accompanied by accessible yet informed text.

The Wildlife Trusts Guide to Garden Wildlife

Nicholas Hammond

New Holland Publishers

2002

"This is a beautiful and indispensable guide that will appeal to the expert and amateur alike of all ages. It offers a wealth of information on identifying over 125 of the most commonly encountered garden wildlife in Britain and Northern Europe. Grouped in categories, each species is clearly described with informed and concise text and an easy-to-follow layout aids quick identification. Illustrated with 125 detailed colour artworks and accompanied by accessible yet informed text this guide is a wonderful addition to any book shelf."

The Wildlife Trusts Handbook Of Garden Wildlife

Nicholas Hammond

2002

"This handbook should appeal to the expert and amateur alike, whether young or old. It offers information on identifying nearly 400 of the most commonly encountered garden wildlife in Britain and Northern Europe. Grouped in categories, each species is clearly described with informed and concise text and an easy-to-follow layout aids quick identification."

The Complete Garden Bird Book

Mark Golley, Stephen Moss and David Daly

2001

"This book combines full identification and behavioural features of over 70 common garden birds as well as detailed, highly-visual information on attracting and encouraging birds to your garden. Stunningly illustrated, yet simple to use, The Complete Garden Bird Book will ensure that you get the maximum pleasure from your garden whatever its size or location."

The Garden Bird Year

Roy Beddard

New Holland Publishers

2001

"Season by season, this text gives detailed advice on how to plan a range of garden habitats to accommodate the needs of birds - both resident and visiting. Topics covered include bird behaviour and identification, providing food, water and nest sites, and deterring pests and predators."

The Wildlife Trusts' nature reserves guide: A selection of the top 200 wildlife sites in the UK

1999

A guide to 200 of the 2300 plus reserves run by the Wildlife Trusts. There is a page for each reserve providing information on location, access, the main features and the flora and fauna to be found on the site. A simple map of each reserve is included. An introductory section, Conservation in Action, looks at some of the types of action being taken in different types of habitat. The book also includes lists of individual trusts and visitor centres around the country.

Birds of Britain and Europe

John Gooders

Collins

1998

A field guides illustrated with photographs that can be used to identify birds in the wild. Every species covered is comprehensively illustrated with specially chosen photographs, so that no matter what bird you see, whether male or female, adult or immature, there is a photograph. The text also covers details needed to confirm the identification, plus information on the biology of each species. There is also a distribution map for every species, showing where it occurs in Europe.