The aim of this book is to help readers discover butterflies. It has detailed descriptions and photographs of 66 good places to find butterflies. They have been chosen not only because of the butterflies there, but because they are lovely places to visit in their own right. Readers can choose where they would like to go and find out what butterflies there are to be seen and where to look. Alternatively they can select a butterfly and find when and where to look and what to look for. The places included range from well-known ones like Arnside Knott and Denbies Hillside, to less popular sites like Wiveton Down in North Norfolk and the new wild flower meadows at Gunpowder Park in Essex.
Although the selection is a personal one by the author, the sites have been chosen so that readers will be led to at least one hotspot for every British species. And the beautiful and interesting places which the book describes will lead not only to butterflies but to the British countryside at its best.
There are photographs and short descriptions of every butterfly separately, with historical information about dates of discovery and name changes over the years. There is also a gazetteer with an extended list of butterfly reserves, a bibliography, and a list of relevant web sites.
DISCOVER BUTTERFLIES in Britain was published in 2006, which coincidentally was the centenary of Richard South's classic The Butterflies of the British Isles. Sadly, the Black-veined White, Large Copper, Large Tortoiseshell and Mazarine Blue, which appeared in South's book, are no longer regarded as British species. The author's intention is to make readers more aware of the butterflies we have left. From this awareness, and hopefully the enjoyment it brings, he hopes to encourage work on their conservation for future generations.
As for Britain's Butterflies, WILDGuides will make a contribution to Butterfly Conservation for every book sold.
Registered: February 2006 Location: North Kent Posts: 6773
Review Date: Sun 16, September, 2007
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10
Strengths:
Shots of the places as well as the species to be found there.
Weaknesses:
Not a fault but very little where I live in Kent. We need volume 2!
A beautifully written and presented guide that has had a huge amount of work put into it.
If you're after a particular species or just finding places to find butterflies on a holiday then I recommend you to buy it.
As mentioned above, only one site noted in Kent, but I should imagine to showcase all the possible sites, would take years.
A smashing book, one for all butterfly enthusiasts.
------------------------------ The female of the species is more deadly than the male.
Fourwings Commander of the Wild Empire
Registered: September 2005 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 3655
Review Date: Wed 9, January, 2008
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £16.00| Rating: 10
Strengths:
Superbly laid out, well written, full of information
Weaknesses:
none
What can I add - this is a superb book in every way.
If you are interested in getting about to see butterflies then this book is your bible, I have visited several of the sites listed in the book and have followed the directions, maps, diagrams etc... and they have lead me to the target species every single time.
Superbly written and illustrated, this book is a joy to own, I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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