Most birders keep lists of the species birds they have seen, but do
any keep a list of pub birds, that is birds on pub signs and in pub
names? This book is about these pub birds, their natural histories,
folk-histories and those of the pubs that bear their names, some of
the people involved in the story, and the memories that pub birds
have evoked over a birding lifetime. This may appear to be a niche
aspect of birding but before the advent of modern technology, pubs
in 'good birding spots' were often the best place to find out from
other birders "What's about?", preferably over a pint. On the
eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales at the entrance to Wensleydale,
are four pubs all named after Black Swans within a five-mile
radius. Intriguing, but why there? They sparked John Lawton's
interest in pub birds and the list that began then spans eleven
years, based on a sample of 711 pubs named after birds or things
that are 'bird-related'. There are 117 identifiable species of
birds, 17 non-specific birds (for example duck), and four mythical
species, plus 35 pubs named after bird-related things. Technical
stuff aside, pub birds are fun. Whilst being as accurate and
informative as possible, this book is not meant to be too serious.
Whilst 'plain vanilla' swans get boring, the 'Swan and Cemetery'
(in Bury), the 'Swan and Railway' (in Wigan) and three pubs called
'The Swan with Two Necks' (in Bristol, Clitheroe and Wakefield) cry
out for an explanation. As do two Welsh pubs both called 'The Goose
and Cuckoo' in Llanover (Monmouthshire) and Llangadog
(Carmarthenshire). The resulting aviary of 117 species doesn't
quite range from A to Z, but the list does run from 'The Blackbird'
on Earls Court Road in London to a 'Yellow Wagtail' in Yeovil. The
book covers the commonest pub birds, why they are so named, their
geography and history, and also pub birds in art, literature and
music. There is even a short chapter on nests, babies, feathers and
bird paraphernalia. Throughout, the author has woven some of his
fondest memories of pub birds into the story and from time-to-time
he may even have gone into the pub for a pint.
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