Read reviews of the books we hold in the Chris Mead Library, written by our in-house experts. A selection of book reviews also features in our members’ magazine, BTO News.
All the Birds of the World
Featured review
Lynx have had a long-term project to produce an exhaustive guide to the birds of the world. It started out with the 17 volumes of the Handbook of the Birds of the World (1992-2013) which has family and species accounts for all birds. This was followed by the two volumes of the Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World (2014-16). They have now published the third and final stage of this avian odyssey with this current book.
Gulls Simplified: A Comparative Approach to Identification
Author:
Pete Dunne & Kevin T Karlson
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 2018
This book aims to look at shape and structure, before dwelling on finer plumage characteristics, an approach you might already use on raptors. It starts ‘Gulls? No waaaayyeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’, which rather sets the tone for the rest of the book; chatty, laid back and informal.Author Pete Dunne realised he was better able to identify a Lesser Black-backed Gull at 200 yards than at 20 feet. Although, being a book covering the gulls of North America, I can relate to this point when thinking about species such as Caspian Gull here in the UK, or Lesser Black-backed Gull vs Greater Black-backed Gull, structure is a good place to start. It is acknowledged early on that you could argue (quite easily!) that gulls cannot be simplified, but that the pathway to identification can be. Gull nuts subconsciously do it all the time, narrowing down the options on structure.Pages six to nine are full of gull profiles – the first two pages are cut-out photographs, the latter two are those same images in silhouette, bringing to life the point exactly. This is followed by illustrated anatomical terms. One (of the many) things I like about this book is that these terms are repeated throughout. For example, on a given species page, where the text mentions the tertials or wing coverts, the accompanying image will have labelled pointers showing readers where those parts of the gull are, so you don’t have to keep flicking back to the introductory pages – it makes the book very accessible to all.Why would it need pointers to plumage characteristics if we are only looking at structure? Well, this book doesn’t underestimate the need to look at plumage and does go into detail regarding within-species variation of plumages of similarly aged gulls. This is also highlighted with the important addition of the date each photograph was taken, allowing readers to properly analyse the image.Ah the images… the cover sets the standards high, and the full-page images within are simply stunning too. OK, if I have to choose – the Ring-billed Gull by John McNamara on page 32 is probably a personal favourite. The majority of photographs are by Kevin T. Karlson and make for a beautifully illustrated publication. If I were being very picky, it would be nice not to have the same images repeated, for example, the flight shot of the adult breeding Heermaan’s Gull and profile snaps of an immature Thayer’s Gull and Iceland (Kumlien’s) are used a couple of times – I would have hoped there would be enough images to show various points without recycling the same image – but it’s not something you’d notice unless you’d looked through the book as often as I have! Overall, they are perfectly placed to explain a point and many are fascinating; with species in the same frame allowing direct comparisons.These images teamed with the friendly style of writing make you want to read and study every corner of this book, every paragraph, every caption and to top off the enjoyment – a quiz! Oh yes, this book has a photographic quiz at the back, and it is great fun – really!From a UK perspective, you will need to ignore some of the American spelling, for example the colour ‘gray’ and the term ‘molt’ – unfortunately two of the most frequently used words in gull identification! Species names may cause some confusion for those who don’t know the quirks in common bird names such as their Herring Gulls are American Herring Gulls when they visit the UK and a distinct species, ‘Iceland’ Gull is our ‘Kumlien's’ and ‘our’ Common Gulls are their Mew Gull – the latter two pairs being separate races. Overall though, it is a refreshingly uncomplicated read and I often find myself browsing through the pages again and again.This is a book on the gulls of North America, aimed to complement other gull books on the bookshelf (even for the American audiences) as stated by the author. It provides an enjoyable read, is easy on the eye and for those of us who are gull mad, it makes one look at gulls from a simplified perspective once more. For those new to gull identification, this book probably isn’t going to be very helpful when learning gull identification in the UK, but for those who are already hooked and searching for vagrant gulls from the other side of the pond here in the UK, it really is a lovely book and now sits proudly between my other gull books! OK, that’s a lie, it mostly lives on the floor next to my bed but staying off the bookshelf and in easy reach is a good sign!A highly recommended book for North American and UK gull geeks of all abilities.Book reviewed by Sarah Harris
Land-use in rural Britain has experienced many changes over the centuries but since 1950 it has undergone an astonishingly rapid and virtually universal transformation. The management of arable crops and grassland is utterly different to 80 years ago and yields have massively increased. Key drivers of this ‘agricultural revolution’ include supremely efficient mechanisation and huge reliance on agrochemicals. Over this period, populations of birds and other wildlife on farmland have fallen dramatically – a familiar story to many readers of BTO News. This book is a masterly and wide-ranging account of the consequences for bird populations of these recent shifts in British farming practices. Ian Newton’s perspective on one of the greatest environmental issues of modern times is especially valuable, having personally researched birds throughout the decades when agricultural intensification was at its height. He is careful not to blame the farmers who have essentially been implementing government policy. Nonetheless, the point is made that virtually all aspects of the numerous and complex changes that have occurred in lowland agriculture have been harmful to wild plants and animals. It has proved difficult to disentangle the ecological effects of one particular change from another – for example to determine the relative effects of increasing use of pesticides, the simplification of crop rotations and the shift to autumn sowing. Despite these technical challenges, the evidence is overwhelming that the declines in birds and other wildlife have been driven predominantly by the intensification of lowland agriculture. Put simply, ever more production has been squeezed out of the land, leaving dwindling opportunities and resources for wildlife. The situation differs in the uplands where hill farming does not rely on agrochemicals but grazing pressure, mainly by sheep, has large impacts on vegetation and habitat quality for birds. Although farming practices have fundamentally driven most of the observed declines in farmland wildlife, predation by increasing numbers of corvids and mammalian predators, has probably increased in importance, especially for ground-nesting birds, and may now inhibit recovery of some species.The colossal amount of research on the environmental impacts of agriculture and on approaches to softening these impacts is synthesised in an accessible way, with helpful conclusions throughout. Several chapters make it abundantly clear how land management has influenced huge declines in food for birds, especially invertebrates and seeds. However, one chapter above all others makes a sobering read – chapter 8 lays out the full implications of the ongoing massive reliance on pesticides, bringing the issue right up to date with a discussion of neonicotinoids. Two chapters are devoted to agri-environment schemes which have delivered some positive outcomes, as have local conservation initiatives, but the declines have continued and much of the countryside still supports a diminished wildlife. The restoration challenges are immense and essentially are ones of scale. This book should become a classic account of how land-use policy can have profound and rapid effects on the other species with which we share the land. It deserves to be widely read, including, one hopes, by the policy makers of the future. Book reviewed by Rob Fuller
Flight Lines: Tracking the wonders of bird migration
Author:
Mike Toms
Publisher: British Trust for Ornithology
Published: 2017
This book, a joint project between BTO and the Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA), explores Afro-Palaearctic migration in a unique and engaging way. Compiling BTO data and using a series of artworks and photographs to beautifully illustrate, it provides a fascinating insight into all aspects of the journeys of migrant birds from Europe to Africa and back again.Whilst being in depth and detailed, the content is clear and easy to understand, making this BTO research accessible to a wider audience. It covers a wide range of factors that influence migration; from food availability and climate change, to land use and hunting, as well as the challenges that the birds face along the way. The more I read, the more in awe I became of what our migratory birds achieve year on year.Whilst the science in this book is incredibly interesting and enlightening, it is the art that brings it to life. The range of unique artistic styles, with a variety of media from watercolour sketches to screen prints, all beautifully capture the character of the migrant birds and their journeys. Depicting the birds, their habitats and the researchers at work, the artwork really aids in the communication of the science. Art and science go hand in hand, and this book is a perfect example. It helps in the understanding of this ecological research, creating a personal connection and allowing more people to engage with it. Something that the book is perhaps lacking, which would further help in the understanding of the text, are maps to illustrate the migration routes described, reinforcing the information.This book also illustrates how BTO’s work is helping to improve our understanding of this feat of nature, highlighting the importance of the variety of methods of data collection that the BTO draws on. Data from BTO research, other research projects across Europe and Africa, tracking devices, bird ringing, citizen science projects like BirdTrack, and BTO volunteer surveys like the Nest Record Scheme and Common Birds Census, are compiled to build an overall picture of Afro-Palaearctic migration and all of its complexities. Hence it is clear just how important this work is to inform conservation decisions on a continental scale. Whilst making it clear that there are many barriers to conserving our migrants, this book also instils hope for the future, describing opportunities for further research and potential solutions.This book is an excellent, engaging read for anyone wishing to find out more about our summer migrants and the work of BTO, seamlessly bringing together art and science.Book reviewed by Sorrel Lyall
Author:
Oldřich Mikulica, Tomáš Grim, Karl Schulze-Hage & Bård Gunnar Stokke
Publisher: Wild Nature Press, Plymouth
Published: 2017
The familiar call of the male Cuckoo echoing across reed beds and moorland is widely recognised throughout Europe as a harbinger of spring; yet few have witnessed the intimate details of the life of this most elusive bird except those who dedicate their lives to observing and studying the behaviour of one of nature's most devious cheats.The stunning photography of Oldřich Mikulica charting the lifecycle of the Cuckoo from furtive egg laying to foster parents feeding a monstrous chick is incredible testimony to a man who has devoted almost four decades to studying these fascinating brood parasites. Few will have had the opportunity and privilege to capture beautifully the moment that a female Cuckoo is attacked by a Great Reed Warbler pair; the leviathan challenge of ejecting host eggs and chicks facing every Cuckoo hatchling; or the moment a young Cuckoo launches itself from the nest box in which it was lovingly reared by its Common Redstart hosts. One feels virtually transported to the watery habitat in which most of the scenes were played out and insightfully captured by the photographer's experience, patience and skilfully positioned lens.Mikulica's captivating imagery however, only tells one half of the story in this book with the remainder being ably written by the small team of experienced Cuckoo researchers Tomáš Grim, Karl Schulze-Hagen and Bård Gunnar Stoke. Their highly informative narrative perfectly accompanies the photographic story; documenting all aspects of Cuckoo biology and ecology, as well as the evolutionary arms race being continually run by Cuckoos and their range of host species. There are chapters covering nest parasitism; egg mimicry; chick and fledgling behaviour, as well as theories and research into the complex co-evolution of brood parasitism. The most sobering, sadly covers the worrying steep decline of the species in Europe.With a forward by Nick Davies, behavioural ecologist and author of 'Cuckoo - Cheating by Nature', I cannot recommend this most recent addition to the body of literature exposing the secrets of the Cuckoo's deception highly enough. But it is surely the breathtaking camera work, sensitively illustrating every facet of the life of this fascinating species that will keep the reader coming back to this book.Book reviewed by Justin Walker
Curlew Calling: an Anthology of Poetry, Nature Writing and Images in Celebration of Curlew
Author:
Karen Lloyd
Publisher: Numenius Press
Published: 2017
Mark Cocker points out in his foreword to this thought-provoking anthology the significance of biodiversity loss for our cultural heritage. Birds in particular have long been embodied in the arts; Vaughan Williams, Shakespeare and Yeats have all drawn on avian inspiration. Curlew Calling brings together poetry, prose and artwork to highlight not only the plight of these waders but also to remind us of their contribution to our lives. This iconic bird is etched into our personal histories, for many its arrival heralds the seasons, and is an indication of the health of the countryside.Given the decline of these instantly recognisable birds, many of the pieces in the anthology are quite sobering, lamenting their loss. In particular, the poems ‘Real’ and ‘Shropshire Curlew’ are almost chilling in charting the disappearance of the birds, and the very real prospect of the once familiar call being unknown to future generations. The prose extracts often describe people’s own Curlew experiences, lending a personal touch to the anthology, and highlight the bird’s evocative capacity perfectly summed up in the piece ‘The Power of Curlews’. The artworks by members of the Society of Wildlife Artists are charming additions to the anthology, complementing the writings well, showcasing an array of compositions and media.The common theme throughout the work is the threat to these birds; even if not explicit in a particular excerpt, one cannot help but read each against this backdrop. This lends quite a haunting feel to the whole collection, which seems appropriate for work pertaining to a bird itself often described as ghostly. However, an underlying message percolating through the anthology is that of hope; although these and other birds emblematic of our countryside are in peril, it is not too late. Vital research into the causes and prevention of further declines is being carried out, to which sales of this book directly contribute.This anthology would be a wonderful addition to the shelves of not only birders, but anyone with an interest in conservation or natural history. By dipping into this collection of work, the reader can conjure up an image or revisit a memory of this icon of our landscape; an icon which we must ensure is not consigned to the history books.Book reviewed by Henrietta Pringle
Author:
Peter Menkhorst, Danny Rogers, Rohan Clarke, Jeff Davies, Peter Marsack & Kim Franklin
Publisher: Christopher Helm, London
Published: 2017
I was fortunate recently to visit Australia with my family. When a Brisbane-based friend heard we were coming over he advised me to wait before buying a new field guide, as this one was due to be published. This was excellent advice as the new ABG – nine years in the making - is a first-rate field guide, one of the best I’ve seen.The ABG includes all extant species from Australia, including the offshore political dependencies (but not the Australian Antarctic Territory), totalling about 930 species and containing many recent taxonomic changes (following the IOC checklist). About 160 vagrants are covered in great detail which, although perhaps less valuable for a visiting Brit, will be welcomed by keen Australian birders. Inevitably, a substantial chunk of the book is dedicated to pelagic seabirds, crucial given the importance of this group in Australian waters.There is an extensive introduction with some good notes on ‘Birding in Australia’, including tips on ‘ethical birding’; a well-balanced discussion on fieldcraft techniques such as playback in the modern era. There is also an interesting essay on the evolution and classification of Australian birds. The text is well-written and extensive and the artwork ranges from good to excellent. To be honest, I seldom referred to the identification notes in the text as the paintings were clear, realistic and helpfully annotated. The most useful text element for a visitor is actually the short section under ‘notes’ mentioning habitat and behaviour; indeed a little more along these lines would have been welcome.Distribution maps are also important when visiting a county. To the extent I could assess it, these seemed mostly very good, a nice feature being differential shading to show subspecies. One minor issue that could be fixed is where, occasionally, two species are shown per map where they have small and non-overlapping ranges; these can be confusing when the map legend lists an eastern species before a western counterpart rather than vice versa (e.g. White-lined / Kimberley Honeyeater). The maps are clearly up to the minute (showing some recent discoveries of Night Parrot). The only time I found them wanting was when I found a Dusky Moorhen in Kakadu where it is not mapped as occurring, although online resources suggest this wasn’t an especially unusual find there.Should you buy this book if you’ve already got an Australian field guide? Yes, I’d suggest it would be a shame not to. The only (inevitable) downside is its size; it’s a big beast of a book so if you’re planning to do long hikes then maybe go for a smaller guide (or maybe an app version might follow?) Otherwise, it’s worth the extra sweating! Highly recommended.Andy Musgrove
Having grown up on the Wirral peninsula and begun my birding career there I was excited to lay my hands on this new book. It begins with four fascinating short chapters. The first provides an overview of the Wirral’s long history of seabird records, most notably of course its sometimes exceptional numbers (and also exceptional views) of Leach’s Petrels Oceanodroma leucorhoa. The other three chapters focus on some of the more dramatic status changes which have taken place in the county in recent years – the invasion of Great White Egrets Ardea alba and Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis (the latter now a breeder here), the increased prominence of scoter Melanitta flocks (including Surf Scoters M. perspicillata) and the remarkable 2016 influx of Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus. It is salutary to think that by the time I left Wirral in the mid-1980s I had never seen any of these latter species in the area.
As I sit at home writing this review, the Spurn Migration Festival is in full flow. BTO’s Andy Clements is there and news has just emerged that he has just found a Kentish Plover! This coastal species of continental Europe has ended up at Spurn but was presumably on its way to southern Europe or Africa for the winter. A quick glance in The Birds of Spurn and I am soon able put the species into context: it is the 17th record for Spurn and the 3rd recorded in autumn; this is just one of the 388 bird species covered.Spurn is a well-known migration hotspot with its peninsula acting as a funnel for birds moving south along the east coast of Britain and often one of the first rest-stops for birds migrating over from the continent.This book covers everything of an ornithological nature about the Spurn recording area, including Easington: all species recorded up to and including 2014 along with ringing information, a history of the ornithology of Spurn, site introduction with maps and information on the activities of the Observatory – from bird ringing to monitoring migration - a mammoth undertaking by author, Andy Roadhouse, and a fantastic 700 page resource!Depending on what information is relevant for each species; the species accounts cover details such as Earliest and Latest date ranges, maximum counts, ‘bird-days’ and ringing details. One other really nice touch, and probably a personal favourite of the book, are the rarity finders’ accounts - painting a picture of the moment a rare bird is found and the events that surrounded it – something to inspire any birder!Chris Gaughans design work has somehow allowed such a large volume of information to be shared and displayed in an easy to read format. The book has a real air of quality about it and the stunning images, artwork and design make for a really beautiful book.This book is specifically about the Spurn area and no doubt already on the bookshelves of the Spurn regulars, but is a must have for anyone interested in bird migration, Bird Observatories, long-term bird monitoring or simply planning a visit to this very special place.Book reviewed by Sarah Harris
Charles Darwin's Life with Birds: His Complete Ornithology
Author:
Clifford B Frith
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2016
There are numerous titles ending in ‘ist’ that could be used to describe Charles Darwin; as Clifford Frith notes, he was a ‘biologist, zoologist, entomologist, botanist, geologist, volcanologist, anthropologist, ethologist and more’. Whilst there have been many publications written about Charles Darwin that cover a good many of these topics and more besides, this book concentrates purely on Charles Darwin the ‘ornithologist’. The most obvious, and most famous, association between Darwin and birds are the Galapagos finches (now widely known as Darwin’s finches). Although ornithology was by no means Darwin’s primary interest, these little birds are merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of Darwin’s ornithological studies.In this meticulously researched book, Clifford Frith presents a ‘review, assessment and discussion of Darwin’s entire published ornithology…in respect to every bird species and ornithological topic or consideration published by Charles Darwin’. If this sounds like a daunting task, that’s because it is; in his publications, Darwin referred to over 600 bird species and over 100 ornithological topics. The book is written chronologically, according to the date in which the works being discussed were written or published.Following Darwin from being merely a bird watcher in his youth, through his almost five-year journey aboard HMS Beagle, to his life and studies back in England not only helps to chart Darwin’s thought processes about topics such as sexual selection but also tracks his progression as an ornithologist. The book also debunks some well-established myths about Darwin. For example, according to Frith, it is untrue that Darwin understood the significance of the restricted island distribution of the different Galapagos finches (which aren’t actually finches, but tanagers) whilst he was on the Galapagos (as is widely believed today); this realisation actually came much later when Darwin was back in England.An incredibly detailed, 150 page appendix lists every ornithological reference in Darwin’s publications. Appendix 2 lists all birds named after Darwin whilst appendix 3 lists the birds collected by Darwin on the Beagle, stating when and where they were collected as well as their current location, if known. All together these form an incredibly useful resource for anyone studying, or merely interested in, Darwin’s ornithological work. The book also discusses Darwin’s connection to other eminent ornithologists of the time, including John Gould, and the final appendix addresses recent claims that some of John Gould’s work was published as propaganda against Darwin’s theories on the origin of species.For anyone interested in Darwin, birds, or the history of ornithology, this book is not just a reference but a fascinating read. Although detailed, it is very readable, interesting and insightful about not only the work of Charles Darwin, but also the ‘modest’ ornithologist himself. Book reviewed by Ruth Walker
