Book Review

The latest releases, birding and general nature, read and rated by John Miles

HUMMINGBIRDS GLENN BARTLEY & ANDY SWASH, PRINCETON, HB, £28

We may not have them in this country, but hummingbirds are a family that stand out like the birds-of-paradise for their amazing iridescent plumages and assorted bills.

The images in this book leave you stunned, and to think that flowers have adapted to these birds for pollination, and without them some would go extinct! Such is the complex life of these birds from mountain top to sea level with two-thirds of the world 369 species covered. This is certainly a celebration of nature’s jewels. Enjoy.

THE HEN HARRIER’S YEAR IAN CARTER & DAN POWELL, PELAGIC, SB, £26

This is the second book in this series, with the Red Kite having led the way. Hen Harriers seem to be always in the news, either for being found dead, or, in 2022, for enjoying their best year ever in England. But this book is very much about the general life of this bird through the year. There are sub-headings on areas such as hunting, breeding, conflict on the grouse moors etc, all with paintings and notes throughout by Dan. If, like me, you love raptors, this is for you.

BIRDS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA BURGER CILLIE & OTHERS, SUNBIRD BOOKS, SB, £30

This monster of a book covers nearly 1,000 birds from the southernmost parts of Africa. There are more than 5,000 excellent colour photographs used in the book and there is also an app to illustrate the different plumages of male, female, adult, juvenile, breeding or other colour variations, along with calls and song. Certainly not the book to have in your pocket, but it is ideal for looking up all the info you need to identify those species seen. There is even a colour code to go straight to families needed.

ROCK POOLS PETER J HAYWARD, PELAGIC, SB, £22

Many of us go to the coast to look for seabirds, and in many places we will come across rock pools full of wonderful wildlife, but can you ID them? This book will help you to while you wait for the tide to turn and that wader roost comes together. It is full of colour photos and black and white drawings of the species to help you. The book would be also ideal to get your children/ grandchildren into searching the rock pools, while you scan for passing seabirds!