Which field guide?

[Dave66]

Hi Guys,

Which book would you say is the best one to take out into the field with you. I am needing an up to date book as mine is about 12 years old and a bit worse for wear.

Cheers

Dave.

[Gatekeeper]

I've always felt well served by the Collins Bird Guide, which is a Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. It has very good illustrations for most species that you are likely to encounter whilst birding and is also very portable.

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

I've always felt well served by the Collins Bird Guide, which is a Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. It has very good illustrations for most species that you are likely to encounter whilst birding and is also very portable.

I would second that, the only proviso being that if you need reading glasses then take them with you. My arms aren't long enough anymore .

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

I've always felt well served by the Collins Bird Guide, which is a Field Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe. It has very good illustrations for most species that you are likely to encounter whilst birding and is also very portable.

This is my favourite, though I don't usually take it out with me. Unless you're a beginner this is probably the most comprehensive field book out there, but probably too much in there for a newbie.

[Dave66]

Thanks guys.

Yes i have to take my glasses other wise i cant see the small print, or the settings on my camera, or anything closer than 5 feet that is smaller than a heron. I'll go with the Collins book.

Cheers

Dave.

[Blizzard]

Originally Posted by Dave66

Thanks guys.

Yes i have to take my glasses other wise i cant see the small print, or the settings on my camera, or anything closer than 5 feet that is smaller than a heron. I'll go with the Collins book.

Cheers

Dave.

Glad I'm not alone with the bad eyesight lol. I can assure you that you'll love the book.

[RoyW]

If you aren't likely to travel to Europe, and don't only need a guide to help you identify the scarcer species in the UK, then I would recommend the RSPB British Birds guides. Slightly cheaper than Collins, and probably far less confusing because only half the number of species are featured.
Collins is by far the best currently available for more experienced birders.

One suggestion: if you are taking a field guide into the field don't ever look at it until you have been watching the bird you can't identify for at least five minutes (or until after the bird has flown if sooner) - and teach yourself to note as much detail about the bird as you can within that period (best to use a notebook). Otherwise you may well find that the bird flies off before you find something in the book that looks like it, and because you have been looking at the book instead of the bird you haven't noted enough detail to actually identify it when you find a page full of species that look very similar!

[Hobjob]

Collins

But be careful to buy the latest 2010 edition, and if it to be carried about, buy paperback.

Net is vastly cheaper than in shops.

[Dave66]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Cheers

Dave.

[Harold Smith]

I'm still using my Collins Guide to the Birds of Britain and Northern Europe. It cost me £1.60 in 1974 and is still as relevant today as it was in 1974. It is now very tatty but I would not change it for the world. It is the one I always take with me whenever I go out bird watching. I also use two backups; the 2002 edition of RSPB Birds of Britain and Europe and the Bird Guides DVD-ROM Guide to British Birds which I use to lookup uncertainties when I get home.

Though the Collins is my main guide using other books helps to ensure more accurate identification of the birds you see.

Harold.