Helm Avifaunas – serie

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.

The County Avifaunas are a growing series of books, each of which gives details of the status and range of every species on the county list, with a detailed breakdown of rarity records. Each has introductory sections describing the county's ecology and habitats, climate, ornithological history and conservation record.This new avifauna covers Leicestershire and neighbouring Rutland, an area with a particularly strong birding tradition - the Leicestershire & Rutland Ornithological Society is one of the largest county bird clubs in Britain. The region holds some of England's most important inland reservoirs, including the largest, Rutland Water. This massive lake holds some 10,000 wintering birds of a variety of species eachyear, and has an impressive rarity list as well as some of England's few breeding Ospreys.The county also has important woodlands, gull roosts and river habitats. Rutland Water is the home of the British Birdwatching Fair, the most important trade fair in the birding calendar.

This is the standard avifauna for the county of Norfolk, and the first in the Helm series of county avifaunas.After extensive introductory chapters, the bulk of the book comprises the detailed species accounts, which give a comprehensive overview of the status of every species. This landmark volume was first published in hardback in 1999, and reprinted with revisions in paperback in 2000.This is a hardback reprint of the paperback edition.

The parks, reservoirs, rooftops and gardens of London – here defined as the area within 20 miles of St Paul’s Cathedral – have a surprisingly rich avifauna, including a healthy population of one of Britain’s rarest breeders, the Black Redstart. The region also has a remarkable list of rarities – in recent years Canary Wharf has proven to be a magnet for vagrants, while one of the very few British records of Tengmalm’s Owl hails from Plaistow – an unfortunate bird stoned to death by local urchins in 1877.Some species, like the Peregrine Falcon, Black-headed Gull and Ring-necked Parakeet, have seen their fortunes soar over recent decades; others, such as House Sparrow, have suffered a population collapse. While as recently as a century ago, the London area had breeding populations of birds such as Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike, which are now nationally extinct. The status, distribution and history of every species on the regional list is discussed in rich detail in this book, the first comprehensive avifauna for the London area ever published.The County Avifauna series provides detailed information on the range and status of bird species at county level. Areas covered in the series so far include Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, the Shetland Islands, Leicestershire and Rutland, Essex and Gwent. Each title covers all species on the county list, with a breakdown of rarity records, and there are introductory sections describing the area’s ecology, its ornithological history, as well as a review of the best sites to visit.

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.

The County Avifauna series provides detailed information on the range and status of bird species at county level.Areas covered so far include Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, the Shetland Islands and the Isles of Scilly, with The Birds of Essex in press. Each title includes a breakdown of rarity records, and there are introductory sections describing the area''s ecology, climate, ornithological history and conservation record, as well as a gazeteer of the best sites to visit.Gwent contains a wide range of habitats in a relatively small area, including estuarine wetland in the south, valleys in the west, and uplands in the north, with heavily wooded areas in the Usk and Wye valleys. Major sites include the Newport Wetlands, which attracts visitors from throughout Wales and the west of England to its wet grassland, saline lagoons and freshwater reedbeds. Other important sites include Peterstone Wentlooge (along the Severn Estuary west of Newport) and Llandegfedd Reservoir.

The County Avifaunas are a growing series of books, each of which gives details of the status and range of every species on the county list, with a detailed breakdown of rarity records. Each has introductory sections describing the county''s ecology and habitats, climate, ornithological history and conservation record.This new avifauna covers Leicestershire and neighbouring Rutland, an area with a particularly strong birding tradition - the Leicestershire & Rutland Ornithological Society is one of the largest county bird clubs in Britain. The region holds some of England''s most important inland reservoirs, including the largest, Rutland Water. This massive lake holds some 10,000 wintering birds of a variety of species eachyear, and has an impressive rarity list as well as some of England''s few breeding Ospreys.The county also has important woodlands, gull roosts and river habitats. Rutland Water is the home of the British Birdwatching Fair, the most important trade fair in the birding calendar.

The Birds of Turkey is the first avifauna to document this country''s amazing ornithological diversity. Turkey - ornithologically one of the most fascinating countries in the Western Palearctic - lies not only at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, but also at the meeting point of a variety of biomes. The extensive semi-deserts of the Middle East reach their northernmost limit in southeastern Turkey, while the Pontic Mountains, which dominate much of the north of the country, support a principally European fauna, along with near-endemics such as Caucasian Grouse, Green Warbler, Caspian Snowcock and Krüper''s Nuthatch. In Central Turkey, huge saline lakes hold colonies of flamingos, pelicans and Pygmy Cormorants, while the surrounding semi-steppe supports populations of Montagu''s Harrier, Great Bustard and abundant lakes. The book looks in detail at every species ever reported in the country - breeding birds, passage migrants, winter visitors and vagrants - with a review of status and distribution, accurate distribution maps, and discussions of breeding biology and the latest taxonomic revisions. Introductory chapters provide overviews of Turkey''s major biomes and the history or ornithology in the country, and a discussion of future research objections. The book also contains stunning colour photography by a number of leading Turkish ornithologists. Indispensable for anyone interested in the Turkish avifauna, The Birds of Turkey will remain the standard work on this key ornithological region for many years to come.

This authoritative title is the definitive avifauna covering the Iberian Peninsula.The Iberian Peninsula is one of Europe's most ornithologically varied regions offering a host of regional specialities. It includes famous birding hotspots such as the Coto Donaña wetlands, mountainous areas such as the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean cork and holm oak forests of the southwest, the migration crossroads of the Strait of Gibraltar and the steppe-like plains of Extremadura and Alentejo. Large numbers of birders from around Europe visit the region to see this wealth of winged wildlife, but to date there has been no comprehensive regional avifauna in English.Birds of the Iberian Peninsula is a national avifauna that fills this gap in the ornithological literature. Full-colour throughout, the book begins with authoritative introductory chapters covering subjects such as geography, climate, habitats, the history of Iberian ornithology and the composition of the avifauna. The species accounts then cover every species recorded in mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra, including the many vagrants.For each species there is detailed treatment of distribution – with maps of breeding and wintering ranges – habitat selection, population trends, historical and current status, migration and conservation.

This authoritative work of reference gives a detailed assessment of the status and distribution of every species on the British and Irish lists, for the first time since 1971. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland was written to update the British Ornithologists' Union's last full Checklist published under the same title as far back as 1971. Since then there have been remarkable changes in both distribution and abundance of the region's birds.Some species have become extinct as breeding birds, whereas others have colonised and even become quite common; many of our most familiar birds have suffered critical declines with changes in land use and climate. Dozens of new species have occurred as vagrants, and many previous vagrants now occur much more frequently. Furthermore, there has been a major revolution in bird taxonomy. The book has been written by two former Chairmen of the British Ornithologists' Union Records Committee, and long-serving members of the BOU Taxonomic Sub-Committee. It was compiled with the close cooperation of former colleagues in the BOU Records Committee and TSC, as well as key figures in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, to ensure it reflects the 'official' position in all the countries covered.The Status only includes records accepted by the committees responsible for each of the countries, follows the new taxonomy of the BOU, and uses English names approved by the International Ornithological Congress's working group on English names, as also adopted by the BOU. As such, the book is the only key text reflecting the 'official' status of birds throughout Britain and Ireland, as followed by bodies such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Council, BirdWatch Ireland, the BOU itself, and many others.This book summarises all these changes and gives an up-to-date account of the status of the birds in Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

The County Avifauna series provides detailed information on the range and status of bird species at county level.Areas covered so far include Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, the Shetland Islands and the Isles of Scilly, with The Birds of Essex in press. Each title includes a breakdown of rarity records, and there are introductory sections describing the area''s ecology, climate, ornithological history and conservation record, as well as a gazeteer of the best sites to visit.Gwent contains a wide range of habitats in a relatively small area, including estuarine wetland in the south, valleys in the west, and uplands in the north, with heavily wooded areas in the Usk and Wye valleys. Major sites include the Newport Wetlands, which attracts visitors from throughout Wales and the west of England to its wet grassland, saline lagoons and freshwater reedbeds. Other important sites include Peterstone Wentlooge (along the Severn Estuary west of Newport) and Llandegfedd Reservoir.

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.

This groundbreaking book fills a large hole in the literature for one of the most diverse and least known areas of Africa.Ethiopia and Eritrea have a fascinating and unique avifauna. Poorly known in comparison to many parts of Africa, knowledge on bird distribution in the two countries is scattered throughout the literature.For more than 35 years, the authors have been painstakingly collecting bird records in the region and plotting them on half-degree maps, including published records, data from museum specimens, sightings from their own extensive travels and, more recently, records from the many birdwatchers that now visit Ethiopia.The resulting atlas provides, for the first time, an accurate assessment of the distribution of each of the 870 species known from the two countries, including valuable information on breeding. The succinct text summarises the results and discusses distribution to subspecies level.Extensive introductory chapters cover topics such as topography, geology, vegetation, climate, habitats, conservation, migration, breeding seasons, bird ringing, and the history of ornithology in the region.

The County Avifaunas are a growing series of books, each of which gives detailsof the status and range of every species on the county list, with a detailed breakdown of rarityrecords. Each has introductory sections describing the county''s ecology and habitats, climate, ornithological historyand conservation record.This new avifauna covers Leicestershire and neighbouring Rutland, anarea with a particularly strong birding tradition - the Leicestershire& Rutland Ornithological Society is one of the largest county birdclubs in Britain. The region holds some of England''s most importantinland reservoirs, including the largest, Rutland Water. This massivelake holds some 10,000 wintering birds of a variety of species eachyear,and has an impressive rarity list as well as some of England''s fewbreeding Ospreys. The county also has important woodlands, gullroosts and river habitats. Rutland Water is the home of theBritish Birdwatching Fair, the most important trade fair in the birdingcalendar.

The Birds of Turkey is the first avifauna to document this country''s amazing ornithological diversity. Turkey - ornithologically one of the most fascinating countries in the Western Palearctic - lies not only at the crossroads between Europe and Asia, but also at the meeting point of a variety of biomes. The extensive semi-deserts of the Middle East reach their northernmost limit in southeastern Turkey, while the Pontic Mountains, which dominate much of the north of the country, support a principally European fauna, along with near-endemics such as Caucasian Grouse, Green Warbler, Caspian Snowcock and Krüper''s Nuthatch. In Central Turkey, huge saline lakes hold colonies of flamingos, pelicans and Pygmy Cormorants, while the surrounding semi-steppe supports populations of Montagu''s Harrier, Great Bustard and abundant lakes. The book looks in detail at every species ever reported in the country - breeding birds, passage migrants, winter visitors and vagrants - with a review of status and distribution, accurate distribution maps, and discussions of breeding biology and the latest taxonomic revisions. Introductory chapters provide overviews of Turkey''s major biomes and the history or ornithology in the country, and a discussion of future research objections. The book also contains stunning colour photography by a number of leading Turkish ornithologists. Indispensable for anyone interested in the Turkish avifauna, The Birds of Turkey will remain the standard work on this key ornithological region for many years to come.

This authoritative work of reference gives a detailed assessment of the status and distribution of every species on the British and Irish lists, for the first time since 1971. The Status of Birds in Britain and Ireland was written to update the British Ornithologists'' Union''s last full Checklist published under the same title as far back as 1971. Since then there have been remarkable changes in both distribution and abundance of the region''s birds. Some species have become extinct as breeding birds, whereas others have colonised and even become quite common; many of our most familiar birds have suffered critical declines with changes in land use and climate. Dozens of new species have occurred as vagrants, and many previous vagrants now occur much more frequently. Furthermore, there has been a major revolution in bird taxonomy. The book has been written by two former Chairmen of the British Ornithologists'' Union Records Committee, and long-serving members of the BOU Taxonomic Sub-Committee. It was compiled with the close cooperation of former colleagues in the BOU Records Committee and TSC, as well as key figures in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, to ensure it reflects the ''official'' position in all the countries covered. The Status only includes records accepted by the committees responsible for each of the countries, follows the new taxonomy of the BOU, and uses English names approved by the International Ornithological Congress''s working group on English names, as also adopted by the BOU. As such, the book is the only key text reflecting the ''official'' status of birds throughout Britain and Ireland, as followed by bodies such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Council, BirdWatch Ireland, the BOU itself, and many others.

Birds of Liberia contains distributions, biology and other ornithological information on the birds of this West African country.In geographical terms, Liberia is still regarded as one of the least known areas of Africa. An inventory of its birds was only undertaken for the first time in the 1960s and 1970s. Liberia has the most extensive area of rainforest within the Upper Guinea region of West Africa. In 1980, half the country was covered by primary forest and ­significant areas of lowland rainforest were only first surveyed after 1981.This book is the result of 15 years of research by the author and includes a complete checklist of the birds of the region. It contains distribution maps for 400 species as well as a wealth of other ornithological information. Fresh insights are given into the impact of forest destruction on the distribution of species.There is also new information on the movement of diurnal migrants and the numbers and ecology of migrant Palearctic and Afrotropical species. Of particular interest are the recently ­discovered endemic species in the region of Mt. Nimba which straddles the border of Guinea and the Ivory Coast.This book adds considerably to our knowledge of West African birds and will be regarded as a model for future studies of the area.

Somalia, with seven endemic species, is one of the most important bird areas in Africa; it is also one of the least well-known.Birds of Somalia provides an atlas of 654 maps showing the distribution of all the species known from the country. Each species account details the species' preferred habitat, its relative abundance, and details of migration, breeding season and clutch size.Much of the ornithological content of the book is based on personal experience. About 70% of the observations on the maps were provided by the authors and they claim to have seen all but one of the 654 birds on the Somali list. Besides adding over 50 first time records to it, they were also responsible for finding and adding to science one new species and four new subspecies of birds in Somalia.Chapters summarise the available knowledge on bird migration and breeding seasons within Somalia. The records are astonishing when it is considered that they come from such a little-known country. The results of the rather limited amount of ringing carried out in the country are also summarised, and the recoveries of ringed birds are of extreme interest.Christopher Hemming contributes what amounts to a major treatise on the soils and vegetation of Somalia, Carlo Violani and Fausto Barbagli provide a historical review of ornithology and ornithologists, Professor Celia Nyamweru describes the geology, and Peter Robertson gives an up-to-date perspective on the state of bird and habitat conservation and the issues involved.A magnificent series of coloured plates by Martin Woodcock is included which depict 25 little-known birds special to the region, including the new species and races. There is also a selection of habitat photographs and excellent maps showing the topography, geology and vegetation of the country. There are further lists detailing hybrids, doubtful records, species offshore and borderline and unacceptable records.Of much interest and value to many, including museum workers and those not directly involved in ornithology, will be the gazetteer of localities throughout Somalia. Its value is greatly enhanced by being cross referenced in Somali (with the old and new spellings), English and Italian. Lastly, a full bibliography lists more than 550 titles.

Somalia, with seven endemic species, is one of the most important bird areas in Africa; it is also one of the least well-known.Birds of Somalia provides an atlas of 654 maps showing the distribution of all the species known from the country. Each species account details the species'' preferred habitat, its relative abundance, and details of migration, breeding season and clutch size.Much of the ornithological content of the book is based on personal experience. About 70% of the observations on the maps were provided by the authors and they claim to have seen all but one of the 654 birds on the Somali list. Besides adding over 50 first time records to it, they were also responsible for finding and adding to science one new species and four new subspecies of birds in Somalia.Chapters summarise the available knowledge on bird migration and breeding seasons within Somalia. The records are astonishing when it is considered that they come from such a little-known country. The results of the rather limited amount of ringing carried out in the country are also summarised, and the recoveries of ringed birds are of extreme interest.Christopher Hemming contributes what amounts to a major treatise on the soils and vegetation of Somalia, Carlo Violani and Fausto Barbagli provide a historical review of ornithology and ornithologists, Professor Celia Nyamweru describes the geology, and Peter Robertson gives an up-to-date perspective on the state of bird and habitat conservation and the issues involved.A magnificent series of coloured plates by Martin Woodcock is included which depict 25 little-known birds special to the region, including the new species and races. There is also a selection of habitat photographs and excellent maps showing the topography, geology and vegetation of the country. There are further lists detailing hybrids, doubtful records, species offshore and borderline and unacceptable records.Of much interest and value to many, including museum workers and those not directly involved in ornithology, will be the gazetteer of localities throughout Somalia. Its value is greatly enhanced by being cross referenced in Somali (with the old and new spellings), English and Italian. Lastly, a full bibliography lists more than 550 titles.

The first comprehensive avifauna for the London area ever published covering the status, distribution and history of every species on the regional list in rich detail.The parks, reservoirs, rooftops and gardens of London – here defined as the area within 20 miles of St Paul''s Cathedral – have a surprisingly rich avifauna, including a healthy population of one of Britain''s rarest breeders, the Black Redstart. The region also has a remarkable list of rarities – in recent years Canary Wharf has proven to be a magnet for vagrants, while one of the very few British records of Tengmalm''s Owl hails from Plaistow - an unfortunate bird stoned to death by local urchins in 1877. Some species, like the Peregrine Falcon, Black-headed Gull and Ring-necked Parakeet, have seen their fortunes soar over recent decades; others, such as House Sparrow, have suffered a population collapse, while as recently as a century ago, the London area had breeding populations of birds such as Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike, which are now nationally extinct. The County Avifauna series provides detailed information on the range and status of bird species at county level. Areas covered in the series so far include Norfolk, Suffolk, Dorset, the Shetland Islands, Leicestershire and Rutland, Essex and Gwent. Each title covers all species on the county list, with a breakdown of rarity records, and there are introductory sections describing the area''s ecology, climate, weather patterns, its ornithological history and conservation record, as well as an in-depth review of the best sites to visit.

The first comprehensive avifauna for the London area ever published covering the status, distribution and history of every species on the regional list in rich detail.The parks, reservoirs, rooftops and gardens of London – here defined as the area within 20 miles of St Paul''s Cathedral – have a surprisingly rich avifauna, including a healthy population of one of Britain''s rarest breeders, the Black Redstart. The region also has a remarkable list of rarities – in recent years Canary Wharf has proven to be a magnet for vagrants, while one of the very few British records of Tengmalm''s Owl hails from Plaistow – an unfortunate bird stoned to death by local urchins in 1877.Some species, like the Peregrine Falcon, Black-headed Gull and Ring-necked Parakeet, have seen their fortunes soar over recent decades; others, such as House Sparrow, have suffered a population collapse. While as recently as a century ago, the London area had breeding populations of birds such as Wryneck and Red-backed Shrike, which are now nationally extinct. The County Avifauna series provides detailed information on the range and status of bird species at county level.

This authoritative title is the definitive avifauna covering the Iberian Peninsula.The Iberian Peninsula is one of Europe''s most ornithologically varied regions offering a host of regional specialities. It includes famous birding hotspots such as the Coto Donaña wetlands, mountainous areas such as the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean cork and holm oak forests of the southwest, the migration crossroads of the Strait of Gibraltar and the steppe-like plains of Extremadura and Alentejo. Large numbers of birders from around Europe visit the region to see this wealth of winged wildlife, but to date there has been no comprehensive regional avifauna in English.Birds of the Iberian Peninsula is a national avifauna that fills this gap in the ornithological literature. Full-colour throughout, the book begins with authoritative introductory chapters covering subjects such as geography, climate, habitats, the history of Iberian ornithology and the composition of the avifauna. The species accounts then cover every species recorded in mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra, including the many vagrants.For each species there is detailed treatment of distribution – with maps of breeding and wintering ranges – habitat selection, population trends, historical and current status, migration and conservation.

This authoritative title is the definitive avifauna covering the Iberian Peninsula.The Iberian Peninsula is one of Europe''s most ornithologically varied regions offering a host of regional specialities. It includes famous birding hotspots such as the Coto Donaña wetlands, mountainous areas such as the Picos de Europa and the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean cork and holm oak forests of the southwest, the migration crossroads of the Strait of Gibraltar and the steppe-like plains of Extremadura and Alentejo. Large numbers of birders from around Europe visit the region to see this wealth of winged wildlife, but to date there has been no comprehensive regional avifauna in English.Birds of the Iberian Peninsula is a national avifauna that fills this gap in the ornithological literature. Full-colour throughout, the book begins with authoritative introductory chapters covering subjects such as geography, climate, habitats, the history of Iberian ornithology and the composition of the avifauna. The species accounts then cover every species recorded in mainland Spain, the Balearic Islands, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra, including the many vagrants.For each species there is detailed treatment of distribution – with maps of breeding and wintering ranges – habitat selection, population trends, historical and current status, migration and conservation.

This county avifauna looks at the birdlife of Suffolk - one of the most important birding counties of England.Suffolk is relatively underdeveloped, with nationally important wetlands and heathlands, and a long, varied coastline.This text looks at Suffolk's history, geology, climate and ecology, and examines in detail the status of every species on the Suffolk list. The data presented includes a breakdown of all records of vagrant species.