Birds ID Insights

Birds: ID Insights is ideal for birders of all levels. I am continually trying to improve my ID skills and this addition to my library will be of tremendous help. Its unique layout, comparing the plumages of similar pairs and groups of species, makes it perfect for identifying the more difficult birds found in Britain and other parts of north-west Europe. It also has more images showing how to age birds than any other comparable guide.

For example, pages 124 - 128 compare Skuas, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua and Long-tailed Skua with superb illustrations of juveniles, adults in Spring and 2nd Autumn birds and illustrated from various angles.

It is a hard back, just about pocket sized, so is practical for taking out into the field. The book is based on a long-running series of identification features in Bird Watching magazine. Author Dominic Couzens and artist David Nurney have done a superb job. In total the book covers more than 230 species including the likes of Subalpine Warbler, Short-toed Lark and Red-rumped Swallow.

I will certainly be carrying Birds ID Insights with me on my next field trip.