British Birds: A photographic guide to every common species (Collins Complete Guide)

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The RSPB guide is a similar size to the Collins, yet covers only British species, meaning that there is more space for information on each species. As well as identification tips, you’ll also find facts on population, nesting season, brood size, and lifespan; all useful for building up a picture of a bird’s lifestyle. By Peter Adriaens, Mars Muusse, Philippe J. Dubois and Frédéric Jiguet; Princeton University Press, 2021; reviewed in BBby Brian Small ( Brit. Birds115: 177–178) and for BTO by Fionnuala McCully. Collins Bird Guide may be a tad too comprehensive for a beginner birder who is only interested in identifying British species. Many of the birds covered in the Collins are not present in Britain, so unless you’re planning a European bird trip or have an interest in foreign species, then you may want to look elsewhere; either Britain’s Birds or the RSPB Handbook of British Birds would fit the bill.

An initial vote from each of the judges determined the shortlist, with 11 of the 45 eligible titles going forward to the second round. The final vote took place in mid December, with the usual lively discussion and debate between the judges before they cast their votes to determine the winning title. It was tight at the top, with just a few points separating the winner from second and third place. It is always great to know a little bit more about the birds visiting your garden. Browse a selection of the best British bird identification books to help you recognise the different species in your local area. Britain’s Birds (Second Edition) If you want more information about the birds you see - their habits, food and migration, for example - this is the guide for you. Covers 280 species - everything you are likely to see in Britain - and is written by two lifelong birders who are able to communicate concisely and clearly. Excellent illustrations. The first thing that strikes you about this anthology of fiction and poetry inspired by the work of artist Joseph Cornell is what a beautiful object it is. Cornell, who made boxed assemblages, was a birdwatcher and, for this book, Safran Foer invited noted writers including Joyce Carol Oates, Joanna Scott, Siri Hustvedt and Lydia Davis to respond to Cornell’s Aviary series of boxes. Their pieces appear alongside full-colour plates. As Martin Collinson put it in his review of this title, ‘This book makes the case that vagrancy in birds matters.’ Indeed, the judges were impressed by the easily accessible way that this title presented theories on vagrancy – and its importance to a host of ornithological events, from the formation of new migration routes to speciation, as vagrants create new populations on isolated islands that eventually evolve into new species. There is also an impressive amount of research summarised in the family-by-family section, which discusses extralimital records of various species as well as detailing interesting theories and observations on the vagrancy tendencies of birds in the given family. This book offers something for all birders and ornithologists, from rarity hunters to conservationists studying habitat loss, and was, therefore, recognised by the judges as being one of the most useful titles of 2022.For the third year in a row, judging for BBBY was held on Zoom, with Paul French, Sarah Harris and Stephen Menzie representing British Birdsand Hazel McCambridge, Maria Scullion and Jenna Woodford representing BTO. List of Common British Birds With Pictures & Facts: 25 Species That You Need To Know! For Children & Adults. Alongside artworks depicting all common plumages, the detailed text describes each bird's behaviour, habitat, voice, breeding biology, longevity and seasonal movements, as well as other useful information. The guide also includes UK population trends and up-to-date distribution maps. Another beautifully illustrated and very well written guide, also covering birds of Britain, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. A round-up of the best British bird books for 2023. Find out which guide will be accompanying us on our birding trips this year…

The judges were particularly impressed by the way Vagrancy in Birds presents theories and observations in an easily accessible way. They also felt that the title communicates the importance of vagrancy to a range of ornithological phenomena, from the formation of new migration routes to speciation. An impressive amount of research is included in the family-by-family section, covering extralimital species records, and theories and observations about vagrancy in the given family. With over 300 bird species in Britain alone, we are spoilt with the amount of wildlife that is right on our doorstep. As a child, my favourite Ladybird books were Garden Birds, Heath and Woodland Birds and Birds of Prey. The author’s illustrations imprinted themselves on my mind so that when I look at them now I have to make an effort to separate feelings of nostalgia from the impulse to formulate a critical or aesthetic response. There’s something charmingly idealised about the way different species all get along as they stand about on the lawn or perch in a bush, and there’s an extraordinary, almost occult power in the way Leigh-Pemberton renders the quality of twilight.The text and maps in the Collins Bird Guide are about as small as they could be while still remaining useable, which is something you may want to bear in mind if your eyes aren’t as hawk-like as they once were.