Bird Watching

These books are about bird watching in general, such as equipment, resources, skills and other people's experiences.

The Birdwatcher's Companion; M. Tait; Robson Books Ltd; ISBN 1861058330; 2005 An amazingly unique book that you can put down, but probably won’t. Jammed pack with fascinating and entertaining snippets of information, quotes, jokes, poetry and statistics ranging from the serious, such as why vultures are dying out, to the absolutely bizarre, like parrot jokes. Even the page numbers include facts and figures! Buy from Amazon

Everything you always wanted to know about birds...but were afraid to ask; S. Moss; Christopher Helm; ISBN 0713668156; 2005 What's the smallest, fastest or oldest bird? Why do birds...? How do birds...? Endorsed by the RSPB, this book is jammed packed with answers to over 450 questions like this that will amuse and inform. Written in a light-hearted way and complemented with cartoons, this book is for beginners and experts alike. If you pick up this book you’ll probably not put it down until you've finished it. Buy from Amazon

Bird Brain of Britain; C. Gallimore & T. Appleton; Christopher Helm; ISBN 0713670363; 2004 This is a compilation of all the quiz questions from the Bird Brain Quiz at the British Bird Fair. Various celebrities and experts have pitted their wits against the quiz master - Bill Oddie - all in the interest of bird conservation, entertainment and humiliation! Why not pit your wits too? Answers are included, of course! Buy from Amazon

How to be a Bad Birdwatcher; S. Barnes; Short Books; ISBN 190409595X ; 2004 An interesting book with a puzzling title and once you start to read it you will find it difficult to put it down. Both light-hearted and philosophical, Simon Barnes, a regular columnist in the RSPB Birds magazine, will convince you that you do not have to be a twitcher to enjoy birds. The highlight for me is his statement: "I don't go birdwatching. I am birdwatching." Buy from Amazon

A Bird in the Bush; S. Moss; Aurum Press; ISBN 1854109936 ; 2004 An interesting book with a puzzling title and once you start to read it you will find it difficult to put it down. Both light-hearted and philosophical, Simon Barnes, a regular columnist in the RSPB Birds magazine, will convince you that you do not have to be a twitcher to enjoy birds. The highlight for me is his statement: "I don't go birdwatching. I am birdwatching." Buy from Amazon

Whose Bird?; B. Beolens & M. Watkins; Christopher Helm; ISBN 0713666471; 2004 A fascinating book that provides a potted biography of the people behind the names of some birds, such as Bonaparte's Gull and Lady Amherst Pheasant. Buy from Amazon

Birds Talk; E. Cowie; Birds Talk Press; ISBN 0954469003; 2003 An educational storybook for the children to learn about some of our common birds, such as Rebecca the Robin and Mavis the Mallard. Using the fantastic 'birdogram', Edward Cowie interviews a wide range of British birds and gives them an opportunity to tell their own stories. The book is illustrated by the author, an accomplished and well-known painter. Foreword by Bill Oddie. Buy from Amazon

Birding with Bill Oddie; S. Moss & B. Oddie; BBC Books; ISBN 0563387483; 1997 This book accompanies the TV series and offers a practical guide to birdwatching; from choosing binoculars and bird guides, through to observation tips and field trips. Buy from Amazon

Follow That Bird; Bill Oddie; Robson Books; ISBN 1861050887; 1997 A brilliant collection of humorous anecdotes from Bill Oddie's birding adventures around the World, including his birding experiences while on honeymoon in Papua New Guinea. Buy from Amazon

Gripping Yarns; Bill Oddie; Helm; ISBN 0713652683; 2000 The latest collection of birding tales from this popular, witty and passionate birder. Most of the tales are from his column in the Birdwatch magazine. Buy from Amazon

Internet Guide to Birds & Birding; J. Sanders; Ragged Mountain Press; ISBN 0071353240; 2000 This book is a directory to web-sites dedicated to matters relating to birds. There is a strong bias to North American sites, though there is still much of interest and relevance to British birders. Buy from Amazon

Bill Oddie's Little Black Book; B. Oddie; Robson Books; ISBN 0860519597; 1999 A light-hearted, and often hilarious, account of the lighter - and darker - sides of bird watching, birding, and twitching; and if you don't know the difference, read the book! Buy from Amazon

Call of the Eagle; D. Walker; Whittles Publishing; ISBN 1904445829; 2009 A fascinating insight into the lives of both England's last Golden Eagles and a man initially employed by the RSPB for their protection but ultimately in studying and discovering previously unknown behaviour. His passion for the birds is beyond doubt and one is left wondering whether conservation organisations are really about their own egos and profits. Buy from Amazon

Life of Ospreys; R. Dennis; Whittles Publishing; ISBN 1904445268; 2008 If you don't know, Roy Dennis is probably the osprey expert, and has worked with them for over 40 years. Jam-packed with photographs, this book covers just about everything you would want to know about these birds, including how they have been reintroduced as a breeding species in the UK. There is ample scientific information and many excerpts from his own journals that capture his thoughts over time. Buy from Amazon

The Wisdom of Birds; T. Birkhead; Buckingham Press; ISBN 074759256X; 2009 Very well written and with measured humour, this is a thoroughly enjoyable book that explains how our understanding of birds has changed since ancient times. Topics range from egg development and migration through to bird song. There are numerous illustrations, mostly colour plates taken from famous books. Buy from Amazon

The Birdwatcher's Yearbook and Diary 2002; D&H Cromack; Buckingham Press; 2001 This yearbook's contents include: a guide to UK bird reserves, directories of traders, bird clubs, county recorders, national and international organisations, tide tables, logs for field trips, articles on latest scientific discoveries and web sites, and much more. A unique information source!