Series:

WILDGuides

5 primary works • 11 total works

Book 16

Cover of Europe's Sea Mammals Including the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde

A state-of-the-art photographic identification guide to Europe’s whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals

This cutting-edge photographic identification guide to Europe’s sea mammals—the only such guide of its kind—covers the 39 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises and 9 species of seals found in the region, which spans the eastern Atlantic from Iceland to Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean, Caspian and Baltic seas. Written and illustrated by a team of professional tour guides with extensive experience presenting the region’s sea mammals, the guide features more than 180 color photographs, maps and graphics, highlights key identification features and includes information on the range, ecology, behaviour and conservation status of each species. Produced with the marine conservation charity ORCA, the book presents mapping data from a decade of surveys, which shows both current distribution and changes over time.

Europe’s Sea Mammals is an essential companion for whale watchers and anyone else who is interested in this enigmatic group of mammals.

  • The only photographic guide dedicated to this popular whale-watching region
  • Features more than 180 color photos, maps and graphics
  • Highlights key identification features and provides essential information on the range, ecology, behaviour and conservation status of each species

Book 41

Cover of Britain's Birds

A new, improved and thoroughly updated edition of the bestselling photographic guide-the only one to cover every bird, in every plumage, ever recorded in Britain and Ireland

A bestselling guide since it was first published, Britain's Birds has quickly established itself as the go-to photographic identification guide to the birds of Great Britain and Ireland-the most comprehensive, up-to-date, practical and user-friendly book of its kind. Acclaimed by birdwatchers of all kinds, from the beginner to the most experienced, the guide has now been thoroughly revised and updated to make it even better than before. Combining the finest of identification guide content and presentation, this eagerly awaited second edition preserves the best of the first edition while covering twelve newly recorded species and offering a host of improvements that make identification easier.

  • Provides comprehensive coverage of all the birds ever recorded in Britain and Ireland
  • Describes and illustrates all plumages likely to be encountered
  • Features more than 3,200 stunning photographs carefully selected to show the birds as you really see them
  • Outlines simple steps to help you identify any bird you see
  • Presents simple and accurate comparisons of similar and difficult species

New features include:

  • Coverage of 12 new species recorded since the first edition plus revisions to reflect the latest taxonomy
  • Coverage of all subspecies
  • Improved identification aids, including more than 400 new photos, enhanced photo annotations and many redesigned plates
  • Fully revised species accounts, including the latest information on identification features, status, numbers, geographical range and date ranges for all plumages that may be seen during only part of the year

Book 42

Cover of Europe's Dragonflies

Europe's Dragonflies

by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash

Published 14 July 2020

The go-to photographic guide to all the damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Europe, including the Macaronesian Islands and western Turkey

Europe's Dragonflies is a comprehensive, lavishly illustrated and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Europe. Written by two well-travelled experts, the book covers all 140 resident and vagrant species recorded, focussing on the field identification of adult insects. Concise species profiles highlight key identification features and provide information on behaviour, habitat preferences, distribution, flight periods, status and conservation. Other sections cover identification tips, conservation status and legislation. Presenting an unsurpassed selection of images of the highest quality, this is the go-to guide for anyone wishing to know more about these amazing and fascinating insects.

  • Comprehensive coverage of every species of damselfly and dragonfly recorded in Europe
  • Stunning colour plates showing males, females, immatures, colour forms, subspecies and typical habitat for every species
  • Over 1,200 superb photographs, supplemented with illustrations of fine details
  • Detailed profiles for the 140 resident and vagrant species
  • Unique comparison plates for difficult groups
  • Easy to use by beginners and experts alike, avoiding technical terms

Book 75

Cover of Britain's Butterflies
Britain's Butterflies is a comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Containing hundreds of stunning colour photographs, this revised and updated edition provides the latest information on every species ever recorded. It covers in detail the identification of all 59 butterfly species that breed regularly, as well as four former breeders, 10 rare migrants and one species of unknown status. The easy-to-use format will enable butterfly-watchers--beginners or experts--to identify any species they encounter. * Stunning colour plates show typical views of each butterfly species, including the various forms and aberrations* Detailed species profiles cover adult identification; behaviour; habitat requirements; population and conservation; egg, caterpillar and chrysalis; and status and distribution, including up-to-date maps* Photographs of egg, caterpillar and chrysalis for every breeding species* Sections on biology, where to look for and how to identify butterflies and other essential information

Book 76

Cover of Britain's Habitats
A photographic guide to habitats, this lavishly illustrated book provides a comprehensive overview of the natural history and conservation landscape of Britain and Ireland. In essence a field guide, the book leads the reader through all the main habitat types, with information on their characteristics, extent, geographical variation, key species, cultural importance, origins and conservation. It aims to help visitors to the countryside recognize the habitats around them, understand how they have evolved and what makes them special, and imagine how they might change in the future. This book is the perfect companion for anyone travelling in Britain and Ireland, and essential reading for all wildlife enthusiasts, professional ecologists and landscape architects.
* Individual sections on all the main habitat types found in Britain and Ireland* More than 680 evocative colour photographs, including images from around Britain and Ireland in all seasons* Details and photographs of key species and features associated with the different habitats* Up-to-date information--including maps--on the distribution, extent and importance of all habitat types* Information on key nature conservation designations and different systems of habitat classification

Cover of The World's Rarest Birds
This illustrated book vividly depicts the most endangered birds in the world and provides the latest information on the threats each species faces and the measures being taken to save them. Today, 571 bird species are classified as critically endangered or endangered, and a further four now exist only in captivity. This landmark book features stunning photographs of 500 of these species--the results of a prestigious international photographic competition organized specifically for this book. It also showcases paintings by acclaimed wildlife artist Tomasz Cofta of the 75 species for which no photos are known to exist. The World's Rarest Birds has introductory chapters that explain the threats to birds, the ways threat categories are applied, and the distinction between threat and rarity. The book is divided into seven regional sections--Europe and the Middle East; Africa and Madagascar; Asia; Australasia; Oceanic Islands; North America, Central America, and the Caribbean; and South America. Each section includes an illustrated directory to the bird species under threat there, and gives a concise description of distribution, status, population, key threats, and conservation needs.
This one-of-a-kind book also provides coverage of 62 data-deficient species.

Cover of Britain's Dragonflies

Britain's Dragonflies

by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash

Published 10 July 2004
Britain's Dragonflies is the only comprehensive photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Britain and Ireland. Written by two of Britain's foremost experts, this fully revised and updated edition features hundreds of stunning images and identification charts covering all 56 resident, migrant and former breeding species, and seven potential vagrants. The book focuses on identification--both of adults and larvae--highlighting the key features. Detailed species profiles provide concise information on identification, distribution, flight periods, behaviour, habitat, status and conservation. Other sections cover biology; how to watch, photograph, record and monitor Dragonflies; conservation status and legislation; and introduced exotic species. This redesigned, updated and expanded edition features: * Beautiful colour plates showing males, females, immatures and all colour forms for every species * Over 450 stunning photographs and 550 illustrations * Up-to-date species profiles and distribution maps * Detailed, easy-to-use identification charts for adults and larvae

Cover of Britain's Day-flying Moths
This concise photographic field guide will help you identify any of the 100 or so day-flying moths found in Britain and Ireland. Combining stunning photographs, authoritative text, and an easy-to-use design, this book makes a perfect traveling companion--one that will increase your enjoyment of these colorful and intriguing creatures. Like butterflies, some moths fly regularly in sunshine, whereas others that usually fly only at night are readily disturbed from their resting places during the day. This guide describes all of these species, with at least one photograph of each in its natural, resting pose. The text includes a brief description of each moth, with details of its life history, where and when to look for it, its status, the food plants of its caterpillars, and its special features. Introductory sections cover many topics, including how to distinguish moths from butterflies; classification; life cycle and behavior; ecological importance; the impact of habitat and climate change; recording and monitoring; and conservation. * Individual accounts for some 100 species * Stunning photographs of every moth, as you see them * Attractive, easy-to-use, and accessible design

Cover of Europe's Birds

The most comprehensive single-volume photographic guide to Europe's birds ever produced-from the authors of the acclaimed Britain's Birds

Covering more than 900 species, and illustrated with over 3,800 photographs, this is the most comprehensive, authoritative and ambitious single-volume photographic guide to Europe's birds ever produced. Detailed descriptions provide the information necessary to identify the birds of Europe in all their plumages-male, female, breeding, non-breeding, adult and immatures, as well as distinctive subspecies-yet the book is easy-to-use, practical and accessible. Birdwatchers of any ability will benefit from the clear text, details on range, status and habitat, and an unrivalled selection of photographs. Chosen to be as naturalistic and informative as possible, the images are also stunning to look at, making this a beautiful book to enjoy, as well as an up-to-date and essential source of identification knowledge.

Europe's Birds is produced by the same team that created Britain's Birds, which has been described as "without doubt the best photo guide on the market" (Andy Stoddart, Rare Bird Alert). The authors include top-class wildlife photographers, writers and editors, and an imaginative, highly skilled designer. All are experienced birdwatchers themselves, who know what is needed and what is useful in an identification guide for birdwatchers living or travelling in Europe.

  • Covers all 914 species ever recorded in Europe, including established introductions
  • Describes all distinctive plumages and subspecies
  • Provides details of vocalizations, flight action and favoured habitats
  • Features more than 3,800 photographs, including comparison pages of birds in flight
  • Includes 540 maps, prepared in association with BirdLife International
  • Enables direct comparison of similar species

Cover of Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

by Glenn Bartley and Andy Swash

Published 26 July 2022

A stunningly illustrated guide to the wonderful world of hummingbirds

With their glorious colors, glittering iridescence, astonishing powers of flight, and many characteristics unique in the world of birds, hummingbirds are extraordinary—true jewels of nature. This beautiful book is a celebration of all aspects of hummingbirds and their world. It features hundreds of the most spectacular photographs of hummingbirds ever taken, exquisite illustrations, and a lively, readable text that presents the latest scientific information and includes up-to-date details about every species.

A familiar sight across much of the Americas, hummingbirds have long captured the imagination and played an important part in myths, legends, and other aspects of human culture. Today, hummingbirds are among the most popular of all birds, sought after by serious and casual birders alike. They inspire questions in anyone lucky enough to see them. How can they fly like that? Why are they so colorful? How many are there? Where and how do they live? How do they survive? This book answers these and many other questions, providing an enlightening and enjoyable guide to hummingbirds that can only deepen their wonder.

  • A definitive yet accessible account of all aspects of hummingbird life
  • More than 540 spectacular color photographs, illustrating all 101 hummingbird genera and over two-thirds of the world’s 369 species
  • Specially commissioned illustrations revealing details of anatomy and behavior
  • Meticulously researched facts and figures on status, population, distribution, and conservation designations of all the world’s hummingbirds

Cover of Britain's Mammals Updated Edition

A comprehensive photographic field guide to the mammals of Great Britain and Ireland

Britain's Mammals is a comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide to all the mammals recorded in the wild in Great Britain and Ireland in recent times-including marine mammals, bats and introduced species that have bred. The book features 500 stunning photographs and incorporates invaluable tips and suggestions to help you track down and identify even the most difficult species.

This easy-to-use book provides an introduction to the different types of mammal. Concise species accounts focus on identification, and include up-to-date information on sounds, habitat, food, habits, breeding behaviour, and population and status, as well as descriptions of key field signs-including tracks, droppings and nests-that give away the presence of mammals even when they are out of sight. Guidance is also provided on ways of studying and observing mammals-including small-mammal trapping, bat detecting and whale watching. In addition, the book contains sections on mammal conservation, legislation and further sources of useful information. Handy and informative, this guide is the ideal companion for anyone interested in watching mammals in Great Britain and Ireland.

  • Comprehensive coverage of all 126 mammal species recorded
  • 500 superb colour photographs carefully selected to show key identification features
  • Up-to-date distribution maps
  • Detailed illustrations of tracks, dentition and other identification features
  • Helpful tips for identifying tracks and other signs you may encounter
  • Latest information on status, population, distribution and conservation designations
  • Advice on finding and watching mammals