Discover detailed profiles of a wide variety of birds in Britain and Europe. Read about their different behaviours and habits, such as mating, nursing, and migration patterns. Learn when the best time of year is to spot them and where they are most likely to be found. Try to see the bird that is making the unfamiliar sound – if you then identify it, this will help the process of remembering it for next time.

Come up with your own mnemonics / funny words or phrases to help you remember particular species e.g. Collared Dove: the bored football fan “U-nite-ed, U-nite-ed”. For ease of use, the book includes a glossary, an index, and a ribbon marker, and is organized according to the latest phylogenetic arrangement from the Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life project. Each species features up to five vibrant photographs, to aid with identification, along with notes on range, season, spore print, look-alikes, conservation status, and more. Introductory essays explain the various parts of a mushroom—both above and below ground—common host trees, nomenclature and taxonomy, mushroom ecology, and the impacts of our changing climate. The most comprehensive and authoritative guide to the mushrooms of North America, updated for the first time in decades to reflect the impact of climate change and the advancements in DNA sequencing that have radically altered the classification process. More than 3,800 full-colour figures with illustrations of distinct subspecies, sexes, ages and morphs, are further supported by in-text identification keys and figures. Our newly updated park and garden bird guide features an illustrated bird chart covering the top 50 British birds found in gardens, parks, ponds and rivers.

This definitive and bestselling field guide is the perfect companion for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Designed for speedy bird identification with living birds in the garden, the guide features beautiful colour paintings by Chris Shields. Accompanying text on the reverse side covers body size, food, key identification notes and conservation status. The only seabird guide to cover all known seabird groups and species. Seabirders worldwide will find this to be an authoritative, one-of-a-kind publication for use around the globe. Seeking out videos of particular species you find challenging can be incredibly useful. This is especially true if they highlight behaviours or characteristics that can help you to confirm an identification.

As we continue to enjoy nature close to home, we’ve asked NHSN members to tell us about their favourite field guides for the garden or on nearby walks. In this post, local naturalist Neil Pont recommends guides for identifying birds. Field Guides for Bird Watchers This handsome volume, from the world’s most trusted name in nature field guides, is the result of a collaboration among leading scientists, scholars, taxonomic and field experts, photo editors, and designers. An indispensable resource, it covers 853 species of wildflowers, with nearly 5,200 full-color photographs.

The Collins Bird Guide is undoubtedly the finest field guide that has ever been produced and now deservedly sits in a bird book elite of essential titles - nestling between BWP, HBW and Birds of Europe. The nomenclature and taxonomy may not be to everybody's liking, but it is a certainty that the magnificent work of Mullarney and Zetterstrom has set the illustrative standard for decades to come and will be admired and enjoyed by thousands of birders worldwide for many years. The word `classic' is so often over-used these days but, for once, it is a particularly fitting way to refer to this book. This is the last great bird book of the 20th Century, and I am sure that Peter Grant would have been happy knowing that. It is a fitting tribute to him, and his co-author and the world class artists. This book is an absolute gem.' Mark Golley, Birding World " Now revised and updated, this lavishly illustrated bird book includes crystal-clear photography and the latest taxonomic changes. From Robins to Jays, from Kingfishers to Ravens, this is your complete photo guide to all the birds of Britain and Europe. And here my personal favourite - the best book on European birds in my opinion and quite complete (beware : NOT a field guide, this one - too heavy anyway to take in the field !!) The sheer variety in shape, colour, and size of the birds to be found in Britain and Europe provide birdwatchers with a truly spectacular pastime. Whether out for a walk in the local park or in the heart of the countryside, there is always something interesting to see. If you would like to have a little fun preparing for the tour by listening to the songs of some of the common species along our route, you can do so at this BBC link. Enjoy!

Want to identify the butterflies that visit your garden, learn which birds make which call, create a list of the trees that grow naturally in your area, or research what animals you might see on your next hike? This new field guide by Mark Golley covers 285 of the species regularly seen in Britain and Ireland and is intended for beginners, as well as those with a little bit more experience. The short introduction covers the plumage details of a bird and a section covering the various habitats found in the region. The latter is well worth reading as it includes some useful tips on how to find birds within the habitat being described. Some illustrations are very appealing, others less so, and on balance Paul Greenfield's figures from the earlier guide have the edge. However, the new plates are better labelled, with English names for species, subspecific trinomials where relevant, and age and/or sex – much more convenient for use in the field than the earlier number-based system.

Watch bird identification videos

May is simply a wonderful time to visit Britain, with the rural landscape at its greenest, bird song and nesting activity at a peak, and spring migration still in full flow. By Lars Svensson. Illustrated by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterström. 2nd ed. HarperCollins, 2010.