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Collins British Birds OR Collins BTO Guide to British Birds (1 Viewer)

BadgerGirl

Active member
Hi there
I already have my very old & well used Collins Complete British Wildlife but having bought a spotting scope I'm finding that I need a dedicated bird book.

Between Collins Complete Guide to British Birds & Collins BTO Guide to British Birds which would you recommend? I'm buying online today & am currently in the middle of nowhere so I cannot compare instore.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Birds-photographic-species-Complete/dp/0007236867
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-BTO-Guide-British-Birds/dp/0007551525

thanks for any help from those who used either or both of these :)
 
Welcome to BirdForum BadgerGirl. The most popular and best bird guide for Britain is the Collins Bird Guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Bird-Guide-Lars-Svensson/dp/0007268149/
This is not the same one that you mention. It also covers the whole of Europe, which obviously means that a lot of species you're not very likely to see in Britain are covered. That could be a bit confusing and in some ways the book might not be the best for less experienced birders. It's definitely the best in absolute terms though. I think there are plans to bring out a version just covering Britain, but I don't think it'll be available till next year.

Most birders prefer field guides that use illustrations rather than photos, but both sorts of guides are potentially helpful. That might be something to consider in your choice.
 
Welcome to BirdForum BadgerGirl. The most popular and best bird guide for Britain is the Collins Bird Guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Bird-Guide-Lars-Svensson/dp/0007268149/
This is not the same one that you mention. It also covers the whole of Europe, which obviously means that a lot of species you're not very likely to see in Britain are covered. That could be a bit confusing and in some ways the book might not be the best for less experienced birders. It's definitely the best in absolute terms though. I think there are plans to bring out a version just covering Britain, but I don't think it'll be available till next year.

Most birders prefer field guides that use illustrations rather than photos, but both sorts of guides are potentially helpful. That might be something to consider in your choice.
Thanks for answering, I'm definitely in the very much less experienced category (as in none).
I realise for you experienced fellas (& lasses) my two picks probably aren't your thing but for someone like me, if you were forced to pick between them would you think one had advantages over the other?
 
Hi Badgergirl and a warm welcome from me too.

You might also like to look at the Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide (it really does slip into a pocket very easily!), it doesn't cover rare visitors from the States, just the birds you're more likely to come across in Britain and Europe (have the blue one with the Puffin on it).

Sorry, I haven't seen the other books you mention, so really can't comment on them.
 
Hi Badgergirl and a warm welcome from me too.

You might also like to look at the Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide (it really does slip into a pocket very easily!), it doesn't cover rare visitors from the States, just the birds you're more likely to come across in Britain and Europe (have the blue one with the Puffin on it).

Sorry, I haven't seen the other books you mention, so really can't comment on them.
Thanks heaps for that, really appreciated. I'm now leaning towards the more expensive of my two picks the Collins BTO one.

Whilst also having fallen completely in love with the Collins Bird Guide mentioned by Andrew. I have a feeling I'll be getting that as well once they bring out the Britain only version.

I love looking at birds but I am pants at this, unless it is a herring gull (my favourite gull) or a starling I'm stuffed.
I have much to learn

Welcome to BirdForum BadgerGirl. The most popular and best bird guide for Britain is the Collins Bird Guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Bird-Guide-Lars-Svensson/dp/0007268149/
This is not the same one that you mention. It also covers the whole of Europe, which obviously means that a lot of species you're not very likely to see in Britain are covered. That could be a bit confusing and in some ways the book might not be the best for less experienced birders. It's definitely the best in absolute terms though. I think there are plans to bring out a version just covering Britain, but I don't think it'll be available till next year.
Is this the one that is coming out for Britain alone do you know? Due July 2018
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0007451...TF8&colid=1THKMNQM9G10U&coliid=I260NDN8NMGBZ8
 
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Of the two guides mentioned, the Collins BTO Guide is by far the best in my view having more photos per species (as I recall I don't have the other guide), better comments on UK status and small but very good maps of UK distribution. Paul Sterry has had a hand in producing both texts so they should be of a similar standard. However, I wouldn't recommend either of them as "Britain's Birds" (see below) is an infinitely better book (assuming ID is primary aim) than either if a photoguide limited to UK birds is what you're after (rather than the magisterial Collins Guide mentioned above). It's larger and chunkier but has far more photos per species (although lacks some of the info about population, habitat of the BTO book). I've seen the BTO guide heavily discounted so get both!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Britains-Birds-Identification-Britain-WILDGuides/dp/0691158894
 
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Personally I'd go for Collins Bird Guide. It's the most authoritative single volume guide available. It does, be warned, contain a huge mass of information which will look very daunting at first. Personally I'm not keen on photographic guides. I own 5 or 6, but never look at them now.

I do agree with Delia about the Birdwatcher's Pocket Guide. I wore out my first copy, bought around 1980, and immediately bought another. My edition is now very old, but it has a few minor disadvantages (doesn't follow normal field guide sequence or give scientific names) though I don't know if that's changed in the latest edition.

Anyway, good luck and welcome to BF!
 
Of the two guides mentioned, the Collins BTO Guide is by far the best in my view having more photos per species (as I recall I don't have the other guide), better comments on UK status and small but very good maps of UK distribution. Paul Sterry has had a hand in producing both texts so they should be of a similar standard. However, I wouldn't recommend either of them as "Britain's Birds" (see below) is an infinitely better book (assuming ID is primary aim) than either if a photoguide limited to UK birds is what you're after (rather than the magisterial Collins Guide mention above). It's larger and chunkier but has far more photos per species (although lacks some of the info about population, habitat of the BTO book). I've seen the BTO guide heavily discounted so get both!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Britains-Birds-Identification-Britain-WILDGuides/dp/0691158894

I just spent 10 mins on Amazon doing the look inside thing with the book you suggested. :) Thanks heaps for the suggestion really appreciate all the help.
Only thing with that every second entry seems to be foreign birds that have been released here by accident. It does look good though.
I'm now looking at Collins Life-size birds as well as the BTO one, wondering if it would be better.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Li...preST=_SX258_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
I think today could get expensive.
 
Oh dear!! Time to take a step back BG, and decide what you're most wanting from your book.

Quick ID when you're out and about (the pocket guide is easiest) or one to sit with at home and study - Collins Bird Guide is the one I'd go for - it covers everything.
 
I just spent 10 mins on Amazon doing the look inside thing with the book you suggested. :) Thanks heaps for the suggestion really appreciate all the help.
Only thing with that every second entry seems to be foreign birds that have been released here by accident. It does look good though.
I'm now looking at Collins Life-size birds as well as the BTO one, wondering if it would be better.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Li...preST=_SX258_BO1,204,203,200_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
I think today could get expensive.

I think the 'look inside' function gives you a slightly unbalanced view as the book's not quite so bad as this makes it seem. The trouble is, of course, that all that coverage of escapees/introduced/rare birds is so much 'dead wood' 99% of the time .... until you come across one of the blighters! The trick is to basically ignore all species that don't come with a map which thereby weeds out the rarities & the wire-jumpers. If too many rare/introduced/extra-limital birds is a serious problem for you, though, then you might well find the "Collins Bird Guide" recommended by others even more problematical, one to get in a year or two perhaps. A simplified version of this guide covering only UK species 'Collins British Bird Guide' was promised back in 2016 but is now due April 2018 and should be perfect for your needs - see http://www.wildsounds.com/products/3374-Collins-British-Bird-Guide-Pocket-Guide.shtml Given the time of the year you could always try dropping hints to Santa ....
 
Oh dear!! Time to take a step back BG, and decide what you're most wanting from your book.

Quick ID when you're out and about (the pocket guide is easiest) or one to sit with at home and study - Collins Bird Guide is the one I'd go for - it covers everything.
It will be for at home with my scope setup looking over the rooftops towards the sea (I'm high up)

I think the 'look inside' function gives you a slightly unbalanced view as the book's not quite so bad as this makes it seem. The trouble is, of course, that all that coverage of escapees/introduced/rare birds is so much 'dead wood' 99% of the time .... until you come across one of the blighters! The trick is to basically ignore all species that don't come with a map which thereby weeds out the rarities & the wire-jumpers. If too many rare/introduced/extra-limital birds is a serious problem for you, though, then you might well find the "Collins Bird Guide" recommended by others even more problematical, one to get in a year or two perhaps. A simplified version of this guide covering only UK species 'Collins British Bird Guide' was promised back in 2016 but is now due April 2018 and should be perfect for your needs - see http://www.wildsounds.com/products/3374-Collins-British-Bird-Guide-Pocket-Guide.shtml Given the time of the year you could always try dropping hints to Santa ....
Right on account of how I desperately want juvenile pics as well as adults & I really want photos but recognise how helpful additional sketches are. And bearing in mind that I don't do waiting & Amazon say the British version of Collins Bird Guide isn't coming until July.
I have a new plan I might buy the BTO & the Collins Birds Guide now & get them both in paperback.

Now if there was a seabirds of Britain guide as well....................:t:
 
As you like photoguides then you might find the "Flight Identification Of European Seabirds" useful - it does cover some rare birds but not so many to be too confusing ....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flight-Identification-European-Seabirds-Guides/dp/0713686162
Ohhh you lot are lovely. All I see where I am is seabirds. I'm looking out over the channel.
Thank you soooo much all of you. I've considered this from angles I hadn't thought of due to all the suggestions. It's really really appreciated all of you.
I've just ordered
Collins Bird Guide & Collins BTO Guide to British Birds
& I'll maybe get the seabirds one next month

Now if I can just stop getting motion sickness from my spotting scope.....
 
I'm miffed you've not gone with my suggestion "Britain's Birds" ;-) but there's always your Xmas list! Have you thought of checking Abe Books for secondhand books? Given your location if you want a straight forward book with good illustrations of seabirds, waders etc then Lars Jonsson's "Birds of Sea & Coast" is available at a knockdown price although it is perhaps dated - https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...centlyadded=all&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title9 Better still get his revised single volume guide to European birds at a keen price (not as useful as Collins Bird Guide but a real classic of the genre) -
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...entlyadded=all&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title11 Talking of your location, if your bit of the Channel is off Kent then please consider joining Kent Ornithological Society which runs a series of field trips & welcomes birders of all levels. If further east then check other county societies & RSPB groups ...
 
I'm miffed you've not gone with my suggestion "Britain's Birds" ;-) but there's always your Xmas list! Have you thought of checking Abe Books for secondhand books? Given your location if you want a straight forward book with good illustrations of seabirds, waders etc then Lars Jonsson's "Birds of Sea & Coast" is available at a knockdown price although it is perhaps dated - https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...centlyadded=all&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title9 Better still get his revised single volume guide to European birds at a keen price (not as useful as Collins Bird Guide but a real classic of the genre) -
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Bo...entlyadded=all&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title11 Talking of your location, if your bit of the Channel is off Kent then please consider joining Kent Ornithological Society which runs a series of field trips & welcomes birders of all levels. If further east then check other county societies & RSPB groups ...
I went with the first half of your suggestion you recommended BTO over the other one. :t: And I'm definitely going to look for second hand stuff now I've got those two I said above bought.
I'm in Sussex, seriously if it moves & has wings around my balcony it seems to be either a herring gull, a pigeon, or a starling.
 
BadgerGirl, if you're anything like me you probably skip the introduction part of books and dive straight in. DON'T do this with the Collins Bird Guide, the six page intro is gold dust to the beginner (as are the intro pages to Waders and Gulls found later in the book).
 
BadgerGirl, if you're anything like me you probably skip the introduction part of books and dive straight in. DON'T do this with the Collins Bird Guide, the six page intro is gold dust to the beginner (as are the intro pages to Waders and Gulls found later in the book).
Duly noted sir thx :)
I can't get over how small the writing & pictures are more poor old eyes.
 
Oh no!!! I see it's out of print John!!! And I wanted to treat myself to one for my birthday next year!!!

Grrr!!
 
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