Small Book with clear comparisons (1 Viewer)

boznia

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #1

Sorry if this question has already been answered.

The books I currently own are : Shell Easy Bird Guide, Collins, Collins Gem Birds ( smallest available ID book ).

I find that although the Shell tells you similar looking birds for each, it does not tell you the distinguishing features for each similar bird. Obviously, you can look at the plates yourself, but if these are not brilliant you want to be told. Its the things like the upturned bill on the one godwit but not the other - the kind of things you get learn from others rather than, it seems, books.

Is the answer to my prays out there? or something close to it.

My parents have an RSPB book which fails to tell you the size of the birds ( this seems crazy to me ).

Hope you can help, and thanks for your time,

Ben

 

Gill Osborne

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #2

I've got a few field guides which I refer to but my favourite, and the one which is ALWAYS in my rucksack is the Collins Guide......it's the best and clearest one available!

GILL XXX

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Jan 14, 2004

• #3

The obvious answer is the great Macmillan Guide to Bird Identification by Vinnicombe, Tucker and Harris. This book is broken into small, clear identification papers covering confusion species (which are very nicely illustrated). It covers a lot of rare stuff but there are also sections on Song and Mistle Thrush, Marsh and Willow Tits, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, Godwits, Grebes etc. It doesn't cover everything, just the more tricky things. Sadly, as has been reported elsewhere on this forum, it's now rather hard to get hold of. Time for a reprint I think (or maybe a revision?).

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 14, 2004

• #4

Out of the current crop of available field guides, I agree with Gill - it's gotta be the Collins (just don't let anyone see you using it. A big "no no" apparently!).

 

pauco

Старлин&

• Jan 14, 2004

• #5

Collins by far the best guide.

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #6

Well the Collins is obviously the most comprehensive and generally brilliant but.....

if you are new to birding or are a patch birder etc then a more basic guide might be an idea.
I like the RSPB handbook of British Birds or The Pocket Guide to Birds of Britain & North West Europe

 

SimonC

Still listing - I'll capsize one day

• Jan 14, 2004

• #7

pduxon said:

Well the Collins is obviously the most comprehensive and generally brilliant but.....

if you are new to birding or are a patch birder etc then a more basic guide might be an idea.
I like the RSPB handbook of British Birds or The Pocket Guide to Birds of Britain & North West Europe

Click to expand...

I thought you'd mention another there Pete!

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #8

SimonC said:

I thought you'd mention another there Pete!

Click to expand...

hah hah

The Mitchell Beazley is a good book but it doesn't include sizes etc etc.

I would also commend the MacMillan.

 

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #9

both Macmillan guides are tops
the second with Shirihai is perhaps evn better
combined with Lars Jonsonn and HBI you can't go wrong

 

Swissboy

Sempach, Switzerland

Supporter

• Jan 14, 2004

• #10

CJW said:

Collins (just don't let anyone see you using it. A big "no no" apparently!).

Click to expand...

Now, what's the story on this one? Why should using the Collins be a "no no"? Usually, birders, as far as I have got to know them, are pretty tolerant people.
Or is that only true for the Continent?
Sounds as if there are a bunch of snobs out there somewhere now?

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2004

E

Edward woodwood

Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #11

there is a bit of a thing here about not using fieldguides in the field....maybe not so much today though....the reasoning is that you should know most of what you look at already, and if you don't you should take notes at the time and refer to books later

I do use a notebook and no guide but for no real reason just becuase I'm a lazy git and can't be bothered to carry anything 'cept my bins and notebook half the time

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Jan 14, 2004

• #12

Hi Swissboy. In Britain you're supposed to know you're birds before you ever lift a pair of binoculars. That's the theory, though few sensible birders are actually that pedantic. Unfortunately, however, you do come across the occasional birder who likes to flaunt his snobbishness.

Jason

 

Ashley beolens

Breeding the next generation of birders.

• Jan 14, 2004

• #13

Just make sure you have taken your notes before getting the book at, that way no-one can complain. :t:

 

Swissboy

Sempach, Switzerland

Supporter

• Jan 14, 2004

• #14

Bluetail said:

Hi Swissboy. In Britain you're supposed to know you're birds before you ever lift a pair of binoculars. That's the theory, though few sensible birders are actually that pedantic. Unfortunately, however, you do come across the occasional birder who likes to flaunt his snobbishness.

Jason

Click to expand...

Thanks for bringing me up to date on this! Maybe, I have an advantage as a foreigner, then, as there is always the excuse that I have to look up the names?

In fact, however, I often don't carry a book simply for reasons of weight. Problem is, I often forget the notebook.

 

Last edited: Jan 14, 2004

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Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Jan 14, 2004

• #15

I don't know that boznia's question has been answered properly yet. The thread's entitled "Small book with clear comparisons" and everyone's recommending Collins, the Macmillans and the like. I reckon Pete got nearest with the Kightley, Madge and Nurney and maybe the RSPB book (though I don't have that one).

It's probably out of print now, but a another relatively clear guide is John Gooder's Kingfisher/Larousse field guides. There was one just for Britain and also an expanded version covering Britain and Europe. It's OK for beginners though it's not long before a dedicated birder will notice shortcomings. I only mention it because it also appeared in a small format similar to the Gem guides. It does include sizes.

Anyone know what the Hayman/Hume Pocket Guide is like?

Jason

 

boznia

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #16

Thanks Jason, does anyone else recommend the Kightley, Madge and Nurney book 'Pkt Guide to the Birds of Britain & North-West Europe'.

I must have a look at this one.

Ben

 

D

Darrell Clegg

Well-known member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #17

Hi Boznia,

The Kightley and Madge book is by far the best book for beginners in my opinion. It is fairly comprehensive without being daunting, authoritative without being too technical (and I get a mention in the acknowledgments )

Darrell

 

CJW

Hit-and-run WUM

• Jan 14, 2004

• #18

Bluetail said:

Unfortunately, however, you do come across the occasional birder who likes to flaunt his snobbishness.

Jason

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Ooh! Good job I'm not paranoid! For the record my Collins is always in the car!

 

pduxon

Quacked up Member

• Jan 14, 2004

• #19

The only problem with the Kightley is it doesn't list "confusion" sepcies but fits nicely in the pocket.

Another to consider is Jonahtan Elphick's Birdwatcher's Handbook. I'm not a big fan of some of the illustrations.

The Gooders is available as a Brit only guide, my local bookshop has it.

 

B

Bluetail

Senior Moment

• Jan 14, 2004

• #20

CJW said:

Ooh! Good job I'm not paranoid! For the record my Collins is always in the car!

Click to expand...

Well I've seen twitchers put down less experienced birders once or twice - but I'm sure it couldn't have been you on those occasions!!

Jason