Bird Beginner reference book

[chantedsnicker]

Hi,

When I was a child I loved reading and finding out about different kinds of wildlife but unfortunately that died off when I was in my late teens and I'm just starting to get this interest back.

Would anyone be able to suggest a good reference book on British birds which goes into a bit more detail than your basic identification book. I suppose what I'm after is something that teaches me about birds and not just how to distringuish one from the other.

Thanks very much

[elvisoneill]

Hi Chantedsnicker


Birds Britannica by Mark Cocker and Richard Mabey

It's going for £20 on Amazon just now.

Its a great brute of a thing but fascinating and might be just the thing

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by chantedsnicker

Hi,

When I was a child I loved reading and finding out about different kinds of wildlife but unfortunately that died off when I was in my late teens and I'm just starting to get this interest back.

Would anyone be able to suggest a good reference book on British birds which goes into a bit more detail than your basic identification book. I suppose what I'm after is something that teaches me about birds and not just how to distringuish one from the other.

Thanks very much

Collins is very good and cheaper

[big bill]

Hello Chantedsnicker I have quite a few books from RSPB and Wildlife Trust also Collins and I always go back to the book by Collins Complete British Birds by Paul Sterry

[Naturenutz]

Agree that collins books are good.I use them for all subjects,i find they are neat and well layed out with all the info you need.Some hamlyn books are good too .A popular largish hardback is the " AA book of british birds by The readers digest" it has a tawny owl on the front board,if the dust cover is present it has plovers on the cover i think.published around late seventies but released over many years after.super illustrations with lots of other bird info.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Naturenutz

Agree that collins books are good.I use them for all subjects,i find they are neat and well layed out with all the info you need.Some hamlyn books are good too .A popular largish hardback is the " AA book of british birds by The readers digest" it has a tawny owl on the front board,if the dust cover is present it has plovers on the cover i think.published around late seventies but released over many years after.super illustrations with lots of other bird info.

That's the one I've always gone back to (also have a collins which is better for photos) (no dust cover but lapwing on front) it was brought out in a set with other wildlife field guide books. The only way I'd part with it would be from my cold dead hands. It's a first edition as well but a bit worn as it was/is well used. Was issued in 1981

[SheffieldLass]

The BTO Garden Birdwatch Book is very good for garden birds, gives you lots of interesting detail about their behaviour.

[chantedsnicker]

Thank you so much for all your helpful suggestions.

I went for two in the end Birds Britannica which I thought sounded very interesting and the Collins book which also sounds good and is a far better size to carry around with me.

[natasha38]

Originally Posted by chantedsnicker

Hi,

When I was a child I loved reading and finding out about different kinds of wildlife but unfortunately that died off when I was in my late teens and I'm just starting to get this interest back.

I'm pretty much the same as you. I bought copy of the Collins book about a year ago now & it's suprising how many birds I've now seen that I've never noticed before.

After a rubbish day at work a few weeks ago I spotted a Firecrest whislt out walkiing my dog & it made my day!! Just one little bird that's all it took to instantly make me so happy

[wyvern1]

Originally Posted by chantedsnicker

Hi,

When I was a child I loved reading and finding out about different kinds of wildlife but unfortunately that died off when I was in my late teens and I'm just starting to get this interest back.

Would anyone be able to suggest a good reference book on British birds which goes into a bit more detail than your basic identification book. I suppose what I'm after is something that teaches me about birds and not just how to distringuish one from the other.

Thanks very much

I would have to concur with all the Collins users. I have found Collins Complete British Birds invaluable in my time in the field. Great info but not too much to distract from enjoying it.