Peter Holden (1)

I bought this second hand book for two reasons; the first because I want to know what is rooting around in my garden, knocking things over and leaving piles of doo-doo where I wish it wouldn't. The second, it was clear the previous owner had hardly even opened it - almost new - and it only cost £1:00

Almost new for only a quid (cover price £9:99) I couldn't resist it and it's crammed full of all sorts of stuff I want to know.

Being a publication from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) this book has a very green and eco friendly message. There is plenty about creating a 'wildlife garden' and how to be a 'greener gardener.' All this is very altruistic and well meaning of course and something that all conscientious gardeners should take more notice of. It is also full of information about the pests in the garden and how best to discourage them and mitigate the damage they do.

And although I haven't found the section yet, I sure somewhere in the book, it'll tell me what is using my vegetable patch as a potty.… (meer)

Extremely accessible and informative: This is a very impressive all round birdguide. Most guides limit themselves to merely providing details about how to identify species, this book not only perfroms that function perfectly well but in addition offers notes on what makes birds fascinating - their ecology, habitats, conservation status and movements. So, for example, you are not only told how to differentiate between a male and female Grey Partridge but also that they have declined by 84% in the last 25 years and that this is linked to a reduction in suitable nesting cover on farmland and insecticide use. In this way the book gives more of a clear overall picture of British bird species than almost any other book I know. Do not buy this book if you intend to find the definitive identification guide. But for anyone looking for a book that will provide interesting general information about bird species then this is for you.… (meer)