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Books > Sport & Leisure > Natural history, country life & pets > Wild animals
Watching dragonflies dart among the plants on a riverbank or at the
edge of your pond is one of the joys of summer. But do you know a
Southern Damselfly from a Variable Damselfly? Or can you tell the
difference between a Scarce Chaser and a Keeled Skimmer?
Dragonflies and damselflies - known collectively as Odonata - are
some of our most fascinating insects. Although they only live for a
short time, they have many behaviours that are easy to observe,
including captivating aerial skills that they utilise to hunt in
mid-air. RSPB ID Spotlight Dragonflies and Damselflies is a
reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 42 of our
most widespread and familiar Odonata by renowned artist Richard
Lewington. - Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled
to assist with identification - Artworks are shown side by side for
quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field - The
reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats,
behaviour, life cycles and diets of our dragonflies and
damselflies, as well as the conservation issues they are facing and
how the RSPB and other conservation charities are working to
support them - Practical tips on how to install a wildlife pond and
make your garden more dragonfly- and damselfly-friendly are also
included The ID Spotlight charts help wildlife enthusiasts identify
and learn more about our most common species using accurate colour
illustrations and informative, accessible text.
Whether you are following the progress of a moth as it flutters
around a street lamp or become captivated by the sight of a
hawk-moth feeding from lavender, moths are everywhere. But can you
tell a Peach Blossom from a Buff Arches? Or distinguish between a
Cinnabar and a Six-spot Burnet? Mostly active by night, moths are
often overlooked compared to colourful day-flying butterflies. But
the UK is home to more than 2,500 moth species, many of which are
beautiful and varied, with different wing shapes, sizes and
patterns. RSPB ID Spotlight Moths is a reliable fold-out chart that
presents illustrations of 90 of our most widespread and familiar
moths by renowned artist Richard Lewington. - Species are grouped
by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification -
Artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy
reference at home or in the field - The reverse of the chart
provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and
diets of our moths, as well as the conservation issues they are
facing and how the RSPB and other conservation charities are
working to support them - Practical tips on how to monitor moth
populations and turn your garden into a moth haven are also
included The ID Spotlight charts help wildlife enthusiasts identify
and learn more about our most common species using accurate colour
illustrations and informative, accessible text.
The brand new heartwarming festive read from bestseller Sarah
Bennett!Music sensation Aurora Storm finally has her career back on
track, but then she's caught up in a media storm. Desperate to
distract from the story, she enlists the one man she trusts to
pretend to be her boyfriend. Meanwhile, in the small seaside
village of Mermaids Point, Nick Morgan never expected to see Aurora
again. When she calls out of the blue needing his help, he agrees
at once. It feels like she's back in his life for a reason, and
he's determined to make the most of it. Aurora joins Nick and the
rest of his family for their festive celebrations and, as the snow
falls, Aurora finds herself caught up in the romance of Christmas.
But having tasted worldwide fame, can she ever be content with
village life? Two weeks is all Nick has to prove to Aurora that
there's a happy ending for them both in Mermaids Point. There's
always a second chance for love in a Sarah Bennett story, so escape
to the seaside village of Mermaids Point for a festive, feel-good
treat. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and
Milly Johnson. Praise for Sarah Bennett: 'A gorgeous story packed
with love, romance and heartfelt emotion. Will bring sunshine into
your day!' Phillipa Ashley 'Cosy, heartwarming and moving, this
story is as beautiful as its cover.' Samantha Tonge 'Happy Endings
at Mermaids Point has passion in spades, romance to make you blush
and a community that cares. I hoped this story would just keep on
going.' Celia Anderson 'What a finale to a fabulous season! I
absolutely loved the story and it was wonderful to see all the
characters get their much deserved happily ever after! An
absolutely gorgeous Christmas read!' Katie Ginger 'This is a real
page turner, with a brisk plot and a really emotional core. The
community we've grown to love at Mermaid's Point is alive with
love, laughter and vibrancy!' Fay Keenan 'I loved Nick and Aurora's
story, and want the Morgan family to adopt me. Sarah Bennett has
surpassed herself.' Jules Wake 'This is the perfect escapist read
and I can't wait to follow the characters in what promises to be a
wonderful series. Five sparkling stars!' Rachel Griffiths'What a
Mer-mazing book! I'm so glad this is a series and I'll get to meet
the characters again because you won't want to leave them after the
final page.' Catherine Miller 'I inhaled this book in two days.
Absolutely gorgeous. Sarah Bennett is back, and better than ever!'
Rachel Burton 'A perfect heartwarming read full of family, romance
and intrigue, set in a stunning location - what's not to love?'
Bella Osborne
The ultimate reference book for bird enthusiasts – now in its
third edition. With expanded text and additional colour
illustrations, the third edition of the hugely successful Collins
Bird Guide is a must for every birdwatcher. The new edition has an
extra 32 pages allowing several groups more space and completely or
partly new plates with more detailed text: grouse, loons, several
groups of raptors, terns, owls, swifts, woodpeckers, swallows,
redstarts and some other relatives to the flycatchers (formerly
often called ‘small thrushes’), tits and a few finches and
buntings are some of these. More than 50 plates are either new or
have been repainted, completely or partly. Apart from this, a few
new vignettes have been added. The section with vagrants has been
expanded to accommodate more images and longer texts for several
species. The entire text and all maps have of course also been
revised. The book provides all the information needed to identify
any species at any time of the year, covering size, habitat, range,
identification and voice. Accompanying every species entry is a
distribution map and illustrations showing the species in all the
major plumages (male, female, immature, in flight, at rest,
feeding: whatever is important). In addition, each group of birds
includes an introduction which covers the major problems involved
in identifying or observing them: how to organise a sea watching
trip, how to separate birds of prey in flight, which duck hybrids
can be confused with which main species. These and many other
common birdwatching questions are answered. The combination of
definitive text, up-to-date distribution maps and superb
illustrations, all in a single volume, makes this book the ultimate
field guide, essential on every bookshelf and birdwatching trip.
Why do cats purr? How much can you learn about a cat's mood from
the direction it flicks its tail? How do cats show trust with their
eyes? Why do cats rub against their owners' legs? Arranged in
chapters covering physical characteristics, senses, lifecycle and
behaviour, Cats features a huge range of breeds from all around the
world. From Siamese to Russian Blue, Manx to American Bobtail,
Burmese to Bombay, the book expertly explores and celebrates this
most beloved pet. With fascinating captions on every page, even cat
lovers will learn something new. Cats is a brilliant examination in
150 outstanding colour photographs.
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