Monographs

These books provide detailed information about particular species or families of birds.

Penguins of the World; W. Lynch; A & C Black Publishers Ltd; ISBN 0713687118; 2007 Who hasn't got a soft spot for these adorable birds? This magnificent explains the lives of all the species of Penguin with both wit and humility as well as being accompanied by breathtaking photographs. The arduous environments in which these birds live and the ways they have adapted make them all the more extraordinary and awe-inspiring. Buy from Amazon

Owls; C. Mead; Whittet Books; ISBN 1873580215; 2000 Another excellent book by the late Chris Mead. This one is about the resident and common vagrant owls. If you want to know how owls hunt in the dark, this is the book to read. There are no photographs, but there are many excellent sketches by Guy Troughton, including some cartoons. Buy from Amazon

The Blackbird; D.W. Snow; Shire Natural History; ISBN 085263854X; 1987 In 24 pages this well-illustrated book describes in some detail the life and times of the blackbird - identification, breeding, populations, longevity and mortality, and its relationship with Man. Buy from Amazon

The Blue Tit; J. Flegg; Shire Natural History; ISBN 0852637160; 1987 Similar to "The Blackbird" this short book reports concisely the lives of one of our best loved birds - the Blue Tit. Buy from Amazon

The Starling; C.J. Feare; Shire Natural History; ISBN 0852637640; 1985 The Starling is described in this splendid concise book, discussing its distribution, feeding, breeding, and social life. Buy from Amazon

The Song Thrush; E. Simms; Shire Natural History;  ISBN 0747800235; 1989 Another excellent book in the Shire Natural History series detailing the Song Thrush.

The Wren; E.A. Armstrong; Shire Natural History; ISBN 0747806160; 1982 A small book (24 pages) for a small bird, but like the bird the book is enjoyable and interesting as it covers the life of the bird in some detail.

Wildfowl of the British Isles and North West Europe; B.P. Martin; David & Charles; ISBN 0715399969; 1993 This book describes the history, distribution, identification, feeding and breeding of the resident and visiting water birds of Britain. More or less every species is accompanied by a photograph (colour, or black and white), or a painting.

Robins; C. Mead; Whittet Books; ISBN 0905483367; 1989 This delightful book, by the late Chris Mead, informs the reader about every aspect of the Robin, from biology through to mythology, in a light-hearted way. The book is punctuated with amusing illustrations, but there are no photographs.

The Robin; M. Read, M. King & J. Allsop; Blandford; ISBN 0713725842; 1995 Packed with beautiful photographs of our much loved Robin, this book takes us through the lives of Robins: distribution, territory and aggression, breeding, feeding, migration, and more.

The Sparrowhawk; I. Newton; T & AD Poyser; ISBN 0856610410; 1986 A comprehensive study of the Sparrowhawk, including nesting habitat and population trends, through hunting and feeding behaviour. breeding cycle, moult, migration and mortality. Now out of print but available from second-hand book sellers.

The Great Tit; A. Gosler; Hamlyn; ISBN 0600579506; 1993 A fascinating book dedicated to the Great Tit, in which explanations are offered for much of its way of life: nesting, fledging, feeding, flocking, moulting, and more. If you have ever wondered why they feed from underneath leaves, this is the book for you.

The Chiffchaff; P. Clement; Hamlyn; ISBN 0600579786; 1995 Not yet reviewed...