The first guide to urban birding in the UK, from The Urban Birder himself, David Lindo Urban birding is fast becoming ornithology's new rock 'n' roll. Birds and birding have never been cooler-and urban birding is at the cutting edge. How to Be an Urban Birder is the world's first guide to the art of urban birding-which is so easy and great fun! Here, urban birding pioneer David Lindo tells you everything you need to know about birds and birding in towns and cities in the UK. Includes a brief history of urban birding in the UK Covers the best places to look for birds in towns and cities Helps you get to know your urban birds Gives useful tips on how to attract birds to your garden Explains what gear you need and how to go about being an urban birder Features hundreds of cool images and illustrations of birds in urban settings

Discover the number one bestselling phenomenon that is a powerful and profound mediation on grief expressed through the trials of training a goshawk. **SELECTED BY CARIAD LLOYD ON BBC TWO'S BETWEEN THE COVERS** As a child, Helen Macdonald was determined to become a falconer, learning the arcane terminology and reading all the classic books. Years later, when her father died and she was struck deeply by grief, she became obsessed with the idea of training her own goshawk. She bought Mabel for GBP800 on a Scottish quayside and took her home to Cambridge, ready to embark on the long, strange business of trying to train this wildest of animals. H is for Hawk is an unflinchingly honest account of Macdonald's struggle with grief during the difficult process of the hawk's taming and her own untaming. This is a book about memory, nature and nation, and how it might be possible to reconcile death with life and love. 'This beautiful book is at once heartfelt and clever in the way it mixes elegy with celebration' Andrew Motion 'It just sings. I couldn't stop reading' Mark Haddon, bestselling author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time 'Dazzling... Deeply affecting, utterly fascinating and blazing with love and intelligence' Financial Times

Get the perfect coffee-table book for birders and nature lovers, pairing naturalist knowledge with beautiful watercolor paintings. This is the bird book for people who love birds! Naturalist, watercolorist, and debut author Jenny deFouw Geuder combines her vast knowledge of birds, wildflowers, and nature with her artistic expertise to create a book like no other. Drawn to Birds presents more than 120 beautiful watercolor paintings, along with Jenny's fascinating insights that add unique appeal to each page. Drawn to Birds begins with an introduction to bird anatomy, as well as details about nests, eggs, and migration. From there, more than 50 different bird species are showcased, with the watercolors divided into groups like backyard birds, raptors, and wetland birds. As an added bonus, there's a section dedicated to insects and wildflowers. You'll appreciate Jenny's tips on how to welcome birds to your yard and how to become a naturalist. Being a naturalist is about more than simply stopping to smell the flowers. It's about observation and making a record. Pause and notice the shapes, colors, and patterns around you. Jenny's goal is to inspire you to try your own hand at being a naturalist! She also includes step-by-step guides for drawing, painting, and inking your own pictures. Anyone can be an artist. Be brave, try it out, and keep noticing the marvels around you. Extra pages for journaling and sketching make this book a keepsake to cherish forever. If you enjoy birding, gardening, or the great outdoors, Drawn to Birds belongs in your book collection. Get one for yourself, and give one as a gift!

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR NATURE WRITING Wishing to leave behind the isolation of her Orkney island life, Amy Liptrot books a one-way flight to Berlin. She rents a loftbed in a shared flat and starts to look for work - and for love - through the screen of her phone. The Instant tells of the momentous year that follows, encountering the city's wildlife in the most unexpected places, tracing the cycles of the moon, the flight paths of migratory birds and surrendering to the addictive power of love and lust.

The Birds of America is one of the best known natural history books ever produced and also the most valuable - a complete set sold at auction in December 2010 for GBP7.3 million, which is a world record for a book. First published in double elephant size (approximately a metre tall) in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for its stunning life-size illustrations of birds set within landscaped backgrounds. The book was issued inparts over 11 years and only around 200 completed sets were ever produced. Less than 120 of these survive today, locked away in museums, galleries and private collections around the world. To create this edition of Audubon's masterpiece, the Natural History Museum's own original edition was disbound and each of the 435 beautiful hand-coloured prints was specially photographed. The artworks are accompanied by the scientific descriptions that were used in the original The Birds of America and there is also a new introduction by David Allen Sibley.

Contents Include: The Situation Considered The Materials Described Details of Construction On Various styles of Aviaries Mainly Details Methods of Feeding Entering and Cleaning Stocking the Aviary Bird Rooms and Bird Houses Points about the Bird Room The Out Door Bird House Method of Construction Fitting up the Staging How to fit up the Bird Room Concerning cages Cages and their Making Hints on Cage Making, by W.Laskey Foreign Bird Keeping in Aviaries by Wesley. T. Page Keywords: Bird Room Aviaries Bird Houses Aviary Staging Stocking

John Muir Laws’s guide to drawing birds is itself winged, soaring between a devotion not only to art but also to the lives, forms, and postures of the birds themselves. Here, artistic technique and the exquisite details of natural history intertwine, and drawing becomes the vehicle for seeing. As Laws writes, "To draw feathers, you must understand how feathers grow, overlap, and insert into the body. To create the body, you must have an understanding of the bird’s skeletal structure. To pose this skeleton, you must be able to perceive the energy, intention, and life of the bird." This how-to guide will perfect the technique of serious artists but also, perhaps more importantly, it will provide guidance for those who insist they can’t draw. Leading the mind and hand through a series of detailed exercises, Laws delivers what he promises: that "drawing birds opens you to the beauty of the world." An Audubon Book.

In mid-2017 Safe Haven published a guide to London's street trees - a sales and critical success whose first printing will sell out by Christmas. Now it follows up with a second quirky London guide in the same style - on where to watch birds in the capital. Predictably for such a beautifully green city, London is rich in bird life - and not just pigeons, gulls and parakeets. Its flagship wetland reserves at Barnes, Woodberry Down and Rainham offer everything from bitterns to avocets, marsh harriers to bar-tailed godwits. But the sharp-eyed can spot wonderful birds in more mundane London settings: over 100 species listed in a year on Hampstead Heath alone, from goldcrests to hobbies. Peregrine falcons nest in the Barbican and on Battersea Power Station. A short walk from East India Dock DLR is a secluded backwater frequented by teal and shoveller ducks. Detailed listings of some 60 birding locations are augmented by fascinating features ranging from the escaped St James's Park pelican and the ravens at the Tower to the history of the East London cagebird trade and wildfowling on the Thames. Published with the London Wildlife Trust (8,000 members), Birdwatching London both reveals the amazing variety of birdlife in London and offers a wonderful guide to unexpected places for a day or afternoon out among nature.

"Jon Young knows birds, and you will too after reading his marvelous book. You'll discover a universal bird language that will speak to you wherever you go outdoors. Every nature lover should read this book."--Joseph Cornell, author of "Sharing Nature with Children" and "John Muir: My Life with Nature"
A lifelong birder, tracker, and naturalist, Jon Young is guided by three basic premises: the robin, junco, and other songbirds know everything important about their environment, be it backyard or forest; by tuning in to their vocalizations and behavior, we can acquire much of this wisdom for our own pleasure and benefit; and the birds' companion calls and warning alarms are just as important as their songs. Deep bird language is an ancient discipline, perfected by Native peoples the world over, and science is finally catching up. This groundbreaking book unites the indigenous knowledge, the latest research, and the author's own experience of four decades in the field to lead us toward a deeper connection to the animals and, in the end, a deeper connection to ourselves.
"Jon Young is one of the heroes of the new nature movement . . . This elegant book will deepen the kinship between humans and other species. It decodes our common language."--Richard Louv, author of "The Nature Principle" and "Last Child in the Woods"
"A brilliant work, born of a lifetime of listening, teaching, and tracking what really matters . . . Jon Young's work replenishes our humanity."--David Abram, author of "Becoming Animal" and "The Spell of the Sensuous"

This is the story of Cockfighting and how it is practised in certain parts of the World where it is still legal. In Britain it has been a forbidden sport for more than 150 years, although it is said that in country parts, that it ceased much later than that time. Many people keep Game Fowl purely for interest and this book is reissued in the hope that many of the sections relating to the history, feeding, conditioning and other aspects of keeping these birds will be of great interest. Contents Include: History - Selection of a Strain, Basic Strains, The Hen - Breeding and Breeding Systems - The House - Caring for Brood Fowl - Rearing Game Chickens, Stages in the Life History of a Gamecock - Dubbing Stags - The Farm Walk - Coop Walks, Movable and Stationary - Getting Ready for Battle - Trimming out for Battle - Six Good Keeps - Conditioning Powders and Drugs - Tools of the Trade - Gaffs - Heeling Cocks for Battle - In the Pit - Handling and Nursing in the Pit - The Referee - After the Battle - Methods of Conducting Cockfights - Construction and Operation of a Pit - The Portable CockPit - A Healthy Environment - Game Fowl Diseases and Treatment - Some Do's and Don'ts for Cockers - The Rules - McCall's Rules (Revised) - D. Henry Wortham's Modern Tournament and Derby Rules - Commonsense Rules of the Cockpit - Comments on the Law - Glossary of Game Fowl Colours - Magazines and Books Devoted to Cocking - Glossary of Cocking Terms - Remedies, Commonsense and Practical

"The best nature writer working in Britain today." - The Los Angeles Times. Eagles, more than any other bird, spark our imaginations. These magnificent creatures encapsulate the majesty and wildness of Scottish nature. But change is afoot for the eagles of Scotland: the golden eagles are now sharing the skies with sea eagles after a successful reintroduction programme. In 'The Eagle's Way', Jim Crumley exploits his years of observing these spectacular birds to paint an intimate portrait of their lives and how they interact with each other and the Scottish landscape. Combining passion, beautifully descriptive prose and the writer's 25 years of experience, 'The Eagle's Way' explores the ultimate question - what now for the eagles? - making it essential reading for wildlife lovers and eco-enthusiasts.

Contents Include: W.S. Pearson - Arthur Wright - O.I. Wood - Fred Shaw - Joe Cheetham - Lester Torrey - Some Variations - Henry Martens - Violette - Renier Gurnay - Two Present day Belgian Champions - More Variations - The System of Celibacy - Semi-Widowhood - True Widowhood - The Design of the Loft - The Summing Up

A "well-written, engaging detective story" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) about a rogue who trades in rare birds and their eggs-and the wildlife detective determined to stop him. On May 3, 2010, an Irish national named Jeffrey Lendrum was apprehended at Britain's Birmingham International Airport with a suspicious parcel strapped to his stomach. Inside were fourteen rare peregrine falcon eggs snatched from a remote cliffside in Wales. So begins a "vivid tale of obsession and international derring-do" (Publishers Weekly), following the parallel lives of a globe-trotting smuggler who spent two decades capturing endangered raptors worth millions of dollars as race champions-and Detective Andy McWilliam of the United Kingdom's National Wildlife Crime Unit, who's hell bent on protecting the world's birds of prey. "Masterfully constructed" (The New York Times) and "entertaining and illuminating" (The Washington Post), The Falcon Thief will whisk you away from the volcanoes of Patagonia to Zimbabwe's Matobo National Park, and from the frigid tundra near the Arctic Circle to luxurious aviaries in the deserts of Dubai, all in pursuit of a man who is reckless, arrogant, and gripped by a destructive compulsion to make the most beautiful creatures in nature his own. It's a story that's part true-crime narrative, part epic adventure-and wholly unputdownable until the very last page.

Vir sowel die beginner as die meer ervare voelkyker is die kompakte klein gids die antwoord. Die volgende aspekte maak hierdie boekie onontbeerlik: Pas in jou hempsak; Prakties en gebruikersvriendelik; Meer as 400 voelsoorte; Uitstekende kleurfoto’s; Kleurvariasies aangedui; Logiese indeling van voelgroepe; Bondige biologiese inligting; Afrikaanse en Engelse name; Suider-Afrikaanse voelnommers; Verspreidingskaarte volgens die nuwe voelatlas; Indeks. Die boekie sal beslis sy man staan teenoor die grotes en is vir die natuurliefhebber so noodsaaklik soos ‘n verkyker!

'The best piece of nature writing since H is for Hawk, and the most powerful work of biography I have read in years' Neil Gaiman 'Wonderful - I can't recommend it too highly' Helen Macdonald 'One of those rare, enchanted books' Isabella Tree 'Beautiful - it made me cry' Simon Amstell 'I was entranced' Cathy Rentzenbrink This is a story about birds and fathers. About the young magpie that fell from its nest in a Bermondsey junkyard into Charlie Gilmour's life - and swiftly changed it. Demanding worms around the clock, riffling through his wallet, sharing his baths and roosting in his hair... About the jackdaw kept at a Cornish stately home by Heathcote Williams, anarchist, poet, magician, stealer of Christmas, and Charlie's biological father who vanished from his life in the dead of night. It is a story about repetition across generations and birds that run in the blood; about a terror of repeating the sins of the father and a desire to build a nest of one's own. It is a story about change - from wild to tame; from sanity to madness; from life to death to birth; from freedom to captivity and back again, via an insane asylum, a prison and a magpie's nest. And ultimately, it is the story of a love affair between a man and a magpie.

Even the most delightful ducks can have a bad day . . . What's the matter with Dick the Duck? He's usually so kind and friendly! But today Dick got out on The Wrong Side of Bed. He feels humpy and grumpy, cranky and cross. Can anyone help cheer him up? Luckily Dick's friends rally round and shower him with kindness, and Dick is soon back to his usual delightful self! This magnificently funny rhyming story shows that even the most delightful ducks can have a bad day. (And that's totally okay!) Children will adore this hilarious rhyming story by the much-loved author of the PONGWIFFY books Kaye Umansky is one of the funniest children's writers around. This brilliant rhyming story is a joy to read aloud, and has echoes of Dr Seuss Ben Mantle's superb colourful illustrations bring every character to life. Each page is packed with fabulous, funny details Full of warmth and humour, Dick the Delightful Duck shows even the youngest children that it's okay not to be okay, and how they can be a good friend

Flying imprint sparrowhawks is often unfairly portrayed as being overly complex and highly technical. Sparrowhawks - A Falconer's Guide aims to paint a far more informed picture, and to perhaps dispel some of the myths. Written with the beginner in mind, it is based on considerable first-hand experience of the author and a number of other respected falconers from the United Kingdom, Croatia, Ireland and Turkey who have specialized in flying sparrowhawks. By drawing comparisons with some of the most ancient trapping and training techniques of the East, and by making a connection with modern Western falconry practices, this remarkable book encapsulates the timeless beauty and joy of sparrowhawking, which crosses all cultures. Topics covered include: equipment, preparing to receive your sparrowhawk chick and imprinting; training, behaviour, quarry, entering, field craft and hawking in many different types of terrain; methodologies of captive breeding in the West; problems associated with the rehabilitation and release of wild sparrowhawks in the United Kingdom and finally, the vitally important subject of sparrowhawk health and welfare.

With both novice and experienced decoy collectors in mind, the authors have created a thorough study of shorebirds and the decoys used to hunt them. The life cycles of the frequently hunted birds are described; matchless color illustrations by Robert Verity Clem depict each species in its usual habitat. There is a discussion of the rise and fall of shorebird hunting, the places the birds were hunted, and the kinds of decoys used. Lastly the book treats the present-day legacy of shorebird hunting: the amazing variety of decoys, fashioned by an unknown number of carver-artists.

Because shorebird hunting ended in the early 1900s, many shorebird decoys are quite rare and collectible. Beautiful color photographs of more than two hundred decoys highlight this carefully documented book.

This is an introductory guide to 180 species of bird commonly found throughout Scotland in the best-selling pocketable Gem format. Unlike many field guides, "Gem Scottish Birds" does not cover birds which only visit occasionally, or which occur in such small numbers and are so difficult to identify that only experienced birdwatchers can spot them. Instead, it concentrates on the commoner species that the amateur birdwatcher is most likely to see, plus a few scarcer ones of particular interest. The entries are grouped taxonomically, with a detailed introduction to all the different habitats. There are also details of key identification features and behavioral characteristics which will help you identify each bird with accuracy and ease. Each entry includes full-color illustration; common name and Latin and Gaelic name; the season in which the bird is likely to be spotted; and details on habitat, feeding habits, and voice. There is also a section with up-to-date details about places of interest and the best sites to go for birdwatching, with maps and contact information to help you get there. Packed full of information, "Gem Scottish Birds" is the ideal guide for both visitors and residents of Scotland who wish to learn about the fascinating wealth of birds that can be found there.

'The most glorious cornucopia celebrating our enduring love affair with birds - an uplifting and eye opening tribute to the way they enrich our lives.' - Alan Titchmarsh MBE, British TV presenter, broadcaster, and gardener 'Wonderfully illustrated.' - Wall Street Journal Let your imagination take flight and celebrate the beauty and diversity of birds throughout art, science, history, and culture This visually stunning survey of birds, chronicling their scientific and popular appeal throughout the ages and around the world, showcases the remarkable diversity of species in the avian kingdom, from tiny hummingbirds to ostriches taller than humans, and icebound penguins to tropical macaws. With its content curated alongside an international panel of ornithologists, art historians, wildlife photographers, conservationists, and curators, this extraordinary book includes illustrations and artwork of all styles, with works by a diverse and often surprising range of creators from many different backgrounds, including: John James Audubon; Robert Clark; Mark Dion; Charley Harper; Barbara Kruger; Edward Lear; Ustad Mansur; John Ruskin; Joel Sartore; Sarah Stone; and Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe. Arranged in thoughtfully paired juxtapositions, it reveals how artists, illustrators, ornithologists, and photographers - from ancient Egypt to the present - have captured the spirit, likeness, character, and symbolism of birds. Including Tweety pie paired with the Twitter bird; birds as 300-foot desert carvings or 2-inch-tall ivory statuettes; bird bones, bird bank notes, sculptures and birds shaped as beds, the book's three hundred visually stunning entries span four thousand years of fine art, photography, ornithological drawings, popular culture, and scientific discovery from all corners of the globe to create the ultimate celebration of the winged world. Advisory panel: Dawn Balmer, Tim Birkhead FRS, Dr Alexander Bond, Gordon Campbell, Dr Sylke Frahnert, Joelle Garcia, Elizabeth Hammer, David Lindo aka The Urban Birder, Jen Lobo, Fred G. Meijer, Sabine Meyer, Penny Olsen, Oliver Rampley, Katrina van Grouw and Dr Lisanne Wepler Additional texts: Giovanni Aloi, Sara Bader, Dr Alex Bond, Dr Michael Brooke, Tim Cooke, Clare Coulson, Nick Crumpton, Louisa Elderton, Diane Fortenberry, Carolyn Fry, Elizabeth Hammer, David Lindo, Fred G. Meijer, David B Miller, Rebecca Morrill, Penny Olsen, Michele Robecchi, Gill Saunders, James Smith, David Trigg, Katrina van Grouw, Martin Walters, Isabella Wing-Davey and Dr Lisanne Wepler

Reissue of J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing, with an exclusive new afterword by Robert Macfarlane. J. A. Baker's extraordinary classic of British nature writing was first published in 1967. Greeted with acclaim, it went on to win the Duff Cooper Prize, the pre-eminent literary prize of the time. Luminaries such as Ted Hughes, Barry Lopez and Andrew Motion have cited it as one of the most important books in twentieth-century nature writing. Despite the association of peregrines with the wild, outer reaches of the British Isles, The Peregrine is set on the flat marshes of the Essex coast, where J. A. Baker spent long winters looking and writing about the visitors from the uplands - peregrines that spend the winter hunting the huge flocks of pigeons and waders that share the desolate landscape with them. This new edition of the timeless classic, published to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its first publication, features an afterword by one of the book's greatest admirers, Robert Macfarlane.