Hi guys,
How about a list of good field guides for our struggling visitors ?
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
Idiot-proof ones for me, please.
To be honest, I am getting far more help in ID'ing by looking at the lovely photos posted on the forums than I could from any book, although I know I can't take the forums out with me!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Of course field guides are invaluable but they are not the complete answer. I personally use the Collins Bird Guide but I am sure there are many other good guides available. Incidentally, a new edition of that guide is about to be republished so I'd hold off buying the current edition for the moment.
The beauty of this forum is that it brings together contributors with a wide range of experience and abilities. I think its very interactive nature and exchange of experiences and views is an equally valid if not a more important learning tool as looking at a book.
I put my abilities in the middle ranking (probably an over estimate) but since I've been on the forum I feel I've learned a lot. I think it would be a pity if the less experienced were inhibited from asking what to some may seem trivial questions. We've all got something to learn. It's good to talk.
____________________________________________________________________
Tony
My Flickr Photostream
Well said TeeJay, No one can claim to be or will ever be an expert on all birds. It is not only of use to the less experienced, in that bird/s, to ask questions that are known to some. It is very helpful to refresh and or update knowledge. That way we are less likely to get stuck in our ways with outdated ideas.
I say! have as many guides/books as you can. If there are guides out there that are seen to be incorrect or start debate, then thats ok to. Remember depending on one guide is the same as depending on the information of one person. People make mistakes, thats all of us, like it or not. The moment we feel expert in this life, we become over confident and have a fall.
Oops sounds like I'm on a soap box again, down boy.
John :-)
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
As a beginner, all I can say is that I bought 2 books when I started last spring, and have found them very useful. Both are pocket sized, and easy to understand for someone who knows nothing.
Collins Garden Birds of Britain and Europe.
RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds.
Since then, I joined the BTO Garden Watch scheme and they sent me the BTO/CJ Garden Birdwatch Book, which is lovely with lots of good photos and descriptions, plus information on other things.
As mentioned in my profile I have been birding for nearly four decades and I'm still learning about birds and use a vast array of guides, journals and papers written by some of the leading ornithologists.
It might be a different level to most birders as I'm doing more with regards to studies etc. but as others have mentioned I would rather have someone ask a question than no questions at all !
Buzzards Voice:
Share Knowledge From The Cradle To The Grave!
Regards Buzzard
Nature Is Amazing - Let Us Keep It That Way
I agree this forum is great for getting mystery birds identified.
I have a small pile of bird guides but my all-time favourite is the RSPB Handbook of British Birds, for reasons I outlined in the Beginners Essentials thread, where you'll find some other suggestions too.
For beginners, a top tip is to take a notepad with you and write down as many features of a bird as you can see - shape and colour of body, beak and legs, any distinguishing markings like eye stripes or flashes of colour on wings or tail, where it was (general habitat and whether on ground or in trees), what it was doing, and try to describe the call or song if you can hear it. Sounds silly, but putting words to a bird song or call helps jog the memory later on. Also make a note of whether it reminds you of any bird you know, as that may indicate it's related. For example, many birds that share the general body shape and behaviour of our familiar robin are related to the robin and can be found in neighbouring pages in the bird books, so it gives you somewhere to start.
Someone I know recently overheard some people who were watching, open-mouthed, as a flock of seabirds soared over the clifftops. One said "What are they?" The other answered, "It doesn't matter. They're beautiful."
Wise words.
I agree with what has already been said.
There isn't one guide that came reign supreme for identification etc. I have several guides and now I have started to take more of a preference to the illustrated guides rather than the photographic. The photos were taken in a certain light and to someone who's spotted something for the first time they may not be too helpful if the light was considerably different. I hope that made sense!
Usually if I see something for the first time, I find it in most of my guides just to make sure.
I bought the new Collins Bird Guide on Sunday and have spent the week reading it, as the member of staff said who served me, "its got to be done".
This forum and the likes of Flickr I have found to be one of the best ways to identify something and the best bit (for me) is someone is usually able to give some insight into the bird's behaviour. Something that usually isn't possible through a book.
Hi there
I have a few books and they are have their strengths and their weaknesses
I feel ashamed to say I do not have an up to date Collins book at all. {blush}
BOOKS I OWN (well some of them)
Fieldguide of The Wildlife Trusts
Good points: It is small compact, and easy to carry about
Bad points: It only tells you the birds and the colouration and nothing else
The Oxford Book of Birds
Good points: It goes into great detail all about the bird and its living habits
Bad points: The bird captions are done by hand and are not always reliable to source out a species of bird
Birds of Britain and Europe
Good points: Great to take abroad to Spain to help ID birds - can share the book with local Spanish guides in the area to explain a bird species.
Bad points: The bird photos are very outdated and the photos are not digital ones at all.
Collins book of Scottish Birds
Good points about the book: Great for localised birds in Scotland
Bad points: The photos are not all that great/clear for ID's of species
I have a book on Spanish books but it is in Spanish so I have to reply on the Latin names instead.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
I also agree that bird books are part of the learning curb with all of us.
Learning form other people is a great thing to have, and to hold close to ones chest. Checking another persons photos is a treat to all of us. No-one will ger anything right 100 per cent all of the time. It makes for a more balanced group of people on this Forum.
Also some people have specialist areas that makes them a good addition to the forum. The family of Warblers is a large family and to have a person who is good with Id-ing them is a bonus. The same applies to Gulls etc.. Just a couple of examples as to all the knowledge we can pick up.
Forums about the subject of birds/wildlife are excellent places to learn about the subject matter, and people are only too willing to help you
Life is for learning. Each, and every one of us is learning each time we talk about birds on the RSPB Forum
The moderators give us lots of food for thought too and create threads for further interest. Life is one large open book for us to enjoy and savour.
Just a great way to enjoy our hobbies
Unknown said: I bought the new Collins Bird Guide on Sunday and have spent the week reading it, as the member of staff said who served me, "its got to be done".
Can I just ask, the New Collins one...is that the one with the Black Cover, Collins Bird Guide by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney, Dan Zetterstrom, and Peter J. Grant. RRP £25. ??