I've never really been a fan of photo field guides. In the past, I've always gravitated towards the more nuanced interpretation of a skilled illustrator to highlight key features, to help me identify birds/animals/plants in the field. While that still largely holds true, photo-guides have come on in leaps and bounds since I first encountered them, and for many wildlife … [Read more...] about Europe’s Birds, An Identification Guide (Book Review)
Princeton University Press
Book Review: How to Be an Urban Birder
One of the best things about birding is that you can do it wherever you happen to find yourself. Whether you're in your own back garden, travelling to the remotest corners of the globe, or simply popping out to the shops, birds are everywhere, and there's always the potential of seeing something interesting. That's why I have three pairs of binoculars in my personal birding … [Read more...] about Book Review: How to Be an Urban Birder
Book Review: Britain’s Dragonflies
Dragonflies and damselflies are the all-stars of the insect world. Large, mobile, active predators -- with the possible exception of cephalopods (octopuses, cuttlefish and squid) the odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are about as exciting as invertebrates get.In Ireland we have 11 species of damselfly and 22 species of dragonfly, and while identifying some of them … [Read more...] about Book Review: Britain’s Dragonflies
Book Review: Britain’s Day Flying Moths
Moths are brilliant.Here in Ireland we have only 34 butterfly species -- including residents and frequently encountered migrants. We have, to date, more than 1,330 recorded moth species on the island. They come in all sorts of shapes colour and sizes and are a fascinating group of oft-overlooked insects that play a crucial role in the maintenance of a healthy, functioning … [Read more...] about Book Review: Britain’s Day Flying Moths
Book Review: Tracks and Signs of the Animals and Birds of Britain and Europe
There are no two ways about it, a lot of our wildlife is incredibly tricky to see.You can get lucky, of course. Occasionally birds, and even mammals, lizards or amphibians, will appear out of nowhere, seemingly oblivious to your presence as you marvel them in close proximity. These are, by and large, the exception rather than the rule. Most of the the time wildlife watching … [Read more...] about Book Review: Tracks and Signs of the Animals and Birds of Britain and Europe
