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Message: <blockquote data-quote="griffin" data-source="post: 1231465" data-attributes="member: 34828">I just got a copy today and have had a brief flick through. My sentiments rather reflect the positive and negative posts above but will share them anyway.It is printed on cheapo paper and hardly a design layout triumph. As Stephen says the Shearwater illustrations on p.95 is pushing it quite a bit ! It is clear from the text on the illustration (which is barely readable) that it was NEVER meant to be reproduced at that size. Thus, the problem is one of editorial issues and graphic layout rather than the fault of the author(s). I would imagine that artist is none too chuffed either (?). However, is the illustration completely useless at the printed size ? No, just perhaps not as effective as having it over one ( or two) pages.I found the Sound Recording 'article' rather token from my own selfish interests perspective ! I felt that overall it was out of context from the rest of the book - there was no real thesis in there as to how sound recording is, and could be, at the 'Frontiers in Birding' eg. in general speciation studies, cryptic speciation, assortative mating, and for most birders, the identification of difficult species and races from one another. Martin Garner's short introductory paragraph somewhat salvages the context and perhaps justifies the Farrow article. So why not just expand the introduction to form an article ?Some of the other material on identification I found quite useful, though perhaps could have been more comprehensive as others have said.It is early days but here is my summation:'Frontiers in Birding' is an interesting publication which I think most birders would find useful in some form. Is it worth £30 ? If you just have to have it, then yes, otherwise a resounding NO ! I feel that around £15/16 would have been a more than fair price for this book - it will be interesting to see if Birdguides drop the price as all this feedback filters back to them. Look out for offers at the Bird Fair !However, like the poster above I too recently got "Petrels Night and Day" by Magnus Robb et. This book cost £35 is hardbacked, printed on 'nice paper', contains 2 fantsatic CD's, many fantastic illustrations by Killian Mullarney, has good quality colour photos, and an engaging and interesting text and writing style. This was produced by people who actually go out 'there' and 'do it' ! Sure, it is a private publication funded presumably (in part ?) by Mark Constantine a very sucessful business man and keen ornithologist. But......no comparison !Birding has changed and birders today are far better equiped, whether with superior binoculars and scopes, IT, parabolas as well as detailed knowledge gleaned from reading scientific papers or massive tomes on White-cheeked Geese. 'Frontiers in Birding' reflects the current 'mindset' of all of this and is IMHO 'of it's own time and place' and is thus surely to be welcomed as record of this fact ?FTR I too agree it is not fair to pop at Birdguides who provide a good alert service, produced BWPi and BB 100 years ! But how about knocking off £15 guys to keep everyone happy and possibly sell a few more copies ?Lindsay</blockquote>

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