Essential books

[Dave Adshead]

I'm trying to get a small collection of books together, say about half a dozen, to help with my birding. And I wondered what other birders consider to be essential in their library. I have the Collins ID book, but I want to go further than just ID'ing a bird.
There are so many to choose from, suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

[gordon hamlett]

Get yourself a good 'where to watch birds' book

Helm publishes a series with one general volume covering the whole country and then more detailed ones for each region - Wales, Devon and Cornwall etc. There are many other WTWB guides available too including a superb one on Norfolk by Neil Glenn published by Buckingham Press. There will be one on the Scottish Highlands too next February, but modesty prevents me giving more details <grin>

Start off with the one covering the area you go birding in most often and then add extra titles as you go on holiday etc. There are plenty of guides too for foreign parts so you will struggle to find a part of the world that isn't covered.

As well as detailing new places to go birding, you also get details of the birds in the different seasons so that you see how the bird life changes at any given site.

HTH

Gordon

[pauljones]

On Migration there is the Migration atlas from the BTO but again at about £60 a bit expensive
http://www.wildlifebooks.com/shop?config_file=wildlifebooks.com_mshop2.conf&show_items=1&product_template=book.mdp&user_book=M17903

There is the simple version for £12.50 that I've just started read and seems pretty good Time To Fly by Jim Flegg:
http://www.wildlifebooks.com/shop?config_file=wildlifebooks.com_mshop2.conf&show_items=1&product_template=book.mdp&user_book=M18902

Paul

[Tim Allwood]

Ok
try
BWP Concise
Collins Field Guide
Migration atlas
Macmillian guide to identification
Where to watch birds in Britiain
and for the sixth...... spend the cash on Bird Songs of Britain and Europe by J C Roche

[Bluetail]

Hi David. If you're relatively new to birding I think a book actually about birds is essential. The one I would have recommended, if it were still in print and up to date, is the "RSPB Guide to Birdwatching" by Peter Conder. It has chapters on things like "In the field", "Counting the birds", "The Lives of birds", "Migration and ringing", "Territory, song and courtship", "Ecology and habitat", etc. Maybe someone can suggest a modern counterpart?

[David FG]

The Birdwatcher's Handbook, Oxford - Ehrlich, Dobkin, Wheye and Pimm

[ground-roller]

A county aviafauna is always good bet - excellent recent ones for Norfolk and Suffolk published by Pica Press. Don't know what the current Yorkshire one is like though. Old ones make fascinating reading as well for Suffolk - Payne from the 1970s, Ticheurst 1930s and Babbington late 19th century offer great insights into how the counties birdlife has changed

[Andrew]

James Fisher's 'The Shell Bird Book' is a good read despite being a bit ancient. Root one out in a second hand book shop.

I wish there was a modern equivalent but this one is still quite contemporary except for the last few reference chapters.

[Gashead]

For the more specialized stuff the new Olsen and Larsson's Gulls of Europe, Asia and North America is awsome if a bit pricey at 45 quid but I think everyone should own Shorebirds by Hayman/Marchant/Prater........you'll outgrow the simpler field guides wader descriptions very quickly.

I'd second the Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification too.........it mainly covers species that can be confused with others, excellent little book.

[DJ Sideboard]

A cracking book which I've got a lot of mileage out of is 'The History of the Birds of Britain' by Colin Harrison & David Reid-Henry. Interesting text describes the known history of the species in Britain (including fossil remains) and the artwork is very evocative.

Its out of print now, I believe, but I sometimes see it secondhand for £10-£15.

[Dave Adshead]

Thanks everybody, I've made a list of all the books you've suggested. For the past few weeks I've been going through Subutteos catalogue and the NHBS catalogue, there are hundreds of books to choose from. It helps to have guidance.

Best wishes
Dave

[Keith Reeder]

Dave,

Tim mentions the "Macmillian guide to identification".

The full title is the "Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification".

It's a series of "mini identification papers" dealing with groups of confusion species - common and rare - and it is a brilliant book.

The content is hugely informative but extremely accessible, and the artwork is superb.

I wouldn't be without it.

If you're interested, the ISBN number is 0-333-59280-8.

[Keith Reeder]

Bugger!

Now let's see: mine's in very good condition...

;)

[goldilocks]

Just checked Amazon and they have one second-hand copy at £50!
Brian,
Try ABE books - excellent source for 2nd hand books on the Net.
Bob

[Andrew]

I found one in a second hand bookshop and Jane Turner has it now! Got it very cheap so check out those second hand shops. I shall keep an eye out for another for you but finding a third one would be too lucky.

[John N]

I was very lucky to find a very good second hand one about 12 months ago, very cheap. So don't give up. If I should find another I will get it to pass on.

[christine]

Any Bill Oddie book is good, gives you good practical info and is enjoyable reading.
Have fun!

Christine

[kim]

The one book I come back to time and time again is Campbell and Lack - A Dictionary of Birds. A huge volume - but has everything -but not just for identification. I don't think it is printed now but you could get it from Dave at Waxwings. He is on the internet and can 'e' mail you his mobile if you are interested.

[John Cantelo]

With Christmas just round the corner, I'd say that any decent bird book you haven't already got is 'essential' ....
John

[Allen]

Any Bill Oddie book is good, gives you good practical info and is enjoyable reading.
Have fun!

Christine

Especially Bill Oddies Little Black Bird Book (theres a couple cheap on eBay currently). Hilarious book with great insight into what makes birders tick (apologies for the pun!!)

[John Cantelo]

If you want a 'trans-atlantic' version of Bill Oddie's 'Little Black Book' with attitude try 'Down & Dirty Birding' by Joey Slinger. I don't know of anyone else who's read it, but I thought it was a real hoot! John

[Richard D]

Dave,

Tim mentions the "Macmillian guide to identification".

The full title is the "Macmillan Field Guide to Bird Identification".

It's a series of "mini identification papers" dealing with groups of confusion species - common and rare - and it is a brilliant book.

The content is hugely informative but extremely accessible, and the artwork is superb.

I wouldn't be without it.

If you're interested, the ISBN number is 0-333-59280-8.

I managed to track down a secondhand copy and as suggested it is a superb book. Hope the Op manages to get hold of one.

Richard