The Essex Bird Report

This book is an essential reference for anybody who has watched birds in this amazing county. The County Avifaunas give full details of the status and range of every species recorded in the county in question. Each title covers all species on the county list, with a detailed breakdown of rarity records, and each has introductory sections describing the county's general ecology, climate, weather patterns, its ornithological history and conservation record. Essex is of national and international importance to many migrating and wintering wildfowl and waders, which can be found on the estuaries. Further inland, the Lea Valley harbours important populations of several species within the complex of reservoirs and gravel-pits. Elsewhere, the diverse habits of woodland and parkland, heaths and commons, agricultural land and urban areas mean that at all times of year there is the opportunity to see upwards of 100 species in a day with little effort. This book analyses and summarises all the data collated and documented over the last 200 years and includes available records to the end of 2004. Introductory chapters discuss the geology and habitats of Essex and the amazing fossil bird record. The individual accounts provide an up-to-date status of each species and patterns of occurrence within Essex. A distribution map is included for most breeding species. A breakdown and analysis are provided for all county rarities. Superb line drawings and photographs illustrate the book, all by talented local artists and photographers.

Fifty years after the publication of the seminal Silent Spring, Conor Mark Jameson reflects on Rachel Carson's legacy and asks the question - are we still silencing the spring?

'Jeff Martin explores the Tawny Owl's natural history in the greatest detail. Where controversy has arisen in the literature, he has put forward all points of view so the reader can make his or her own judgements. There seems nothing concerning the biology of this owl that Jeff has not researched.' - Derek Bunn, author of The Barn Owl The haunting calls of the Tawny Owl can be heard from Scandinavia in the north of its range to North Africa in the south. Most people would consider it to be a common and widespread species throughout Europe, but populations in Britain at least are declining, and we need to understand more about the behaviour and ecology of this magnificent woodland bird if its future is to be secured. Jeff Martin has been studying owls for decades, and in this timely book he combines his personal observations together with those of other ornithologists and a comprehensive review of the literature, resulting in some surprising revelations. It was not long ago, for example, that the Tawny Owl was considered to be one of the most nocturnal of all owl species, but in recent years it has been observed sunbathing, calling and even hunting in broad daylight. The Tawny Owl begins by exploring the research that has been undertaken over the last two centuries, and the gaps that remain in our knowledge. Subsequent chapters detail the evolution and classification of this relatively young species, its status and distribution across Europe, its feeding, breeding and behavioural ecology, why numbers are falling, and what we can do about it. Interestingly, this silent hunter appears to be increasingly preying on passerine birds, as forest degradation and destruction have had a negative impact on small mammal numbers. The book concludes by looking at the role that Tawny Owls have played in British culture, and whether the changes in behaviour and plumage among the British population could mean we have a new subspecies evolving on our island.

The Poyser avifaunas Birds in Scotland, Birds in Ireland and Birds in Wales are all now regarded as classic works. The series is now completed with Birds in England, an avifauna for England's diverse birdlife, past and present. England marks the northwestern limit for many Palearctic breeding birds, and is close to the southwestern limit for several others - in particular, several seabird species whose English colonies are of international significance. It is the first point of arrival for new colonists from the south - Little Egret and Yellow-legged Gull are two recent arrivals - and it is also of international importance for wintering and passage populations of various species which breed in the far north of the Palearctic. A diverse and fascinating avifauna is augmented by visits from an impressive range of rarities from as far afield as Siberia and Canada - Nearctic vagrants in particular are well-represented on the English list. This important new avifauna looks in detail at England and its birds, analysing present and historical data to present a complete picture of the status, range and abundance of every bird on the English list.

The definitive site guide to a surprisingly bird-rich corner of England – Kent, Essex and the Greater London area. From the deep forests of Kent to the low-lying mudflats, beaches and saltmarshes of the Greater Thames Estuary, this ecologically rich area of England attracts vast numbers of wildfowl and waders. The region boasts many internationally and nationally important reserves including Rainham Marshes and Cliffe Pools, while Dungeness in Kent is one of Britain's best known birding hotspots for vagrant species such as Penduline Tit and Kentish Plover. London itself contains numerous birdwatching sites including Barnes and Woodberry Wetlands, along with some of the best spots in Britain for scarcities such as Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Black Redstart. From Marsh Harrier and Firecrest to Curlew and Lapwing, there is plenty for birdwatchers to enjoy while exploring the parks, wetlands, woodlands and coast of southeast England. Written by life-long birdwatcher David Callahan, this is the definitive guide to the birding highlights of the region. It contains a comprehensive review of all the major sites and many lesser-known ones, with maps, notes on access, and information on target species and when to visit. Where to Watch Birds in Southeast England is indispensable for any birder exploring the region, or anyone in London wanting to head out to the countryside and enjoy a slice of our rich avian heritage.

Estuaries are rightly of great interest and concern to the birdwatcher. Most teem with thousands of waders, geese, ducks, gulls and other species that use them at times throughout the year; they are also among the last of the wild places left in Britain and Europe. The Birds of Estuaries Enquiry (sponsored by the Nature Conservancy Council and organised by the BTO, RSPB and the Wildfowl Trust) spanned six years, and Tony Prater's report now provides a detailed insight into the birds which use and, in many cases, depend on this special habitat. Of great interest to birdwatchers, the book also will be essential reading for professional conservationists and all involved in the planning and use of estuaries. It assesses the importance of each estuary and the distribution and numbers of all species generally present, and by setting this in an international framework demonstrates the remarkable importance of the estuaries around these islands. Threats to the fabric of the landscape and its wildlife abound, and estuaries are not exempt. Barrage schemes, industrial and agricultural reclamations and many other pressures exist and are the subject of chapters which survey the situation, now and in the future. The text is graced by John Busby's accomplished and evocative drawings and there are numerous maps and diagrams as well as photographs of typical estuaries. Jacket illustration by John Busby.