Bird Guide

[Jamie]

I am not much of a birder, and I do find it difficult to identify them (except for the obvious ones) but most fall into the category, for me anyhow, as LBJ's (little brown jobs!)

The main book that I use though, is the Collins Bird Guide which I find very useful and, more importantly relatively easy to use.

 

[Jack]

Jamie,

are you saying you don't know much about birds?...........

Anyway, if you see more than two Crows in a field, it means that they are Rooks!

Cheers.

Jack.

 

[JeremyH]

The Collins is good and seems to be the new bible for birders - be careful though, guides are only what they say they are and can be misleading. The images are usually from 'dead skins' so are the idealised image. The Collins is big to use in the field so I advise my students/clients to take a note book and pencil, jot and draw what you see, what the bird is doing, where it is etc and then look up later. This will als help with your general fieldcraft.
If you need a lightweight and proper pocket sized field guide then I suggest the new 'Birdwatchers Pocket Guide@ Peter Hayman - Pub. Mitchel Beazley. It comes at £9.99 and well worth every penny. If you find it difficult to get hold of I sell them - Post free.
All the best

Jeremy
www.islaybirding.co.uk