Irish Birds

An important tool of a birdwatcher is a good identification guide. Most cover the birds of Europe and few deal exclusively with Ireland. This first photographic identification guide to the birds of Ireland has over 1,600 photos of more than 260 species, in an easy, quick-reference format. With eight to fifteen images per species, the key identification features of each bird are shown, with concise descriptions and pointers to indicate important features. This guide is produced in association with BirdWatch Ireland, Ireland's leading bird-conservation organisation. The purchase of this guide contributes funds to BirdWatch Ireland's conservation and education initiatives to help protect and promote Ireland's wild birds and habitats. similar to: Ireland's Garden Birds by Jim Wilson and Oran O'Sullivan.

Twelve birds. One country. A wild Ireland waiting to be discovered. In Ireland Through Birds, Conor O’Brien takes the reader on an ornithological adventure around Ireland in search of twelve of our rarest and most elusive birds. Along the journey the author explores every kind of landscape and habitat our island has to offer across all four seasons, from the remote isles of Donegal to the rugged mountains of Kerry and urban parks of Dublin. Through it all, O’Brien is enchanted by calling corncrakes, mesmerised by hunting harriers, and chased by angry skuas. It’s a journey through a staggering array of landscapes that’ll bring the reader face to face with the rich history and stunning wildlife to be savoured right on our doorstep. It explores the stories of the remarkable birds that live here: the genius of the jay, the sublime mimicry of the cuckoo, the nocturnal prowess of the barn owl, while paying a moving,poetic tribute to our natural heritage – and a warning about the threats that face it. Ireland Through Birds is a unique blend of natural history and travelogue, making it a great read for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s natural world.

An essential companion for bird lovers and gardeners alike since it was first published, this highly successful guide to identifying garden birds has now been fully updated with the latest information and statistics. Highlighting a range of plants and planting schemes that support wildlife, it provides expert advice on making your garden a haven for birds. Learn everything you need to know about all the birds you're most likely to see from your window, how to attract them into your garden and how to care for them. Each species is accessibly described, with details of identification, status and abundance, feeding habits, songs and call, and breeding season. The species guide has been updated to include the Great Spotted Woodpecker, which is now breeding regularly on the east coast and turning up in gardens. The species descriptions are enhanced by new photographs of the highest quality. Whether you are an avid gardener or just love feeding birds in your garden, this practical and easy-to-use guide is invaluable. Also available: 'Birds of Ireland – A Field Guide'

An easy-to-use, fully illustrated guide to the birds of Ireland

An introductory guide to 167 of the most frequently occurring birds in Ireland.

Birds have been important symbols in our art and culture for thousands of years. They have inspired poets and painters, and feature in many place names and legends. In this book, Niall Mac Coitir draws together the mythology, legends and folklore of Ireland's birds, both wild and domestic. The birds are presented in seasonal order based on their migratory habits (the cuckoo and summer) or on their cultural associations (the robin with Christmas). He also explores how birds are often powerful symbols of various virtues and qualities, such as the goose, which is a symbol of watchfulness and bravery. This challenges us to look at birds in a different way, as dynamic creatures that have influenced our society over the millennia. Written with imagination and enthusiasm, this mix of natural history, mythology and folklore will delight and enlighten all interested in the birds of Ireland.

This companion volume to The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland (see back flap) is derived from yearly surveys of breeding birds in Britain and Ireland during 1968-72, organised by the British Trust for Ornithology and the Irish Wildbird Conservancy. Each of the 3,862 10-km squares of Britain and Ireland was visited during the five years and the resulting records (over 285,000) are summarised in the maps. The full-page maps plot the known distribution of all but 11 of the 229 breeding species located during the survey period. Each map has an accompanying text which describes the species' habitat, the problems involved in proving breeding, the historical background to the species' range and any changes in its numbers. The probable reasons for these changes are discussed and an attempt made to assess the total number of birds for each species. "The book is a major triumph for the BTO and IWC and a fitting reward to the many thousands of field workers who made its compilation possible. It is an indispensable source of up-to-date information, a pleasure to read, a spur to thought and further enquiry, and, by no means least, a most elegant example of book production." Stanley Cramp, British Birds "This remarkable work is one of the most exciting ornithological achievements of the century ... the book is admirable in every way: it is beautifully produced, and charmingly illustrated with black and white vignettes on nearly every page of text. Above all, it provides an authoritative account of the present situation; in due course it will also serve as a standard against which to measure future changes. Excellent value and strongly recommended." G. L. A-W., Wildfowl News Jacket design by Robert Gillmor