WILDGuides of Britain & Europe – serie

A comprehensively updated edition of an identification guide that was named a Guardian Best Nature Book of the YearNow in a comprehensively revised and updated new edition, Britain's Spiders is a guide to all 38 of the British families, focussing on spiders that can be identified in the field. Illustrated with a remarkable collection of photographs, it is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, including those new to spider identification. This book pushes the boundaries of field identification for this challenging group, combining information on features that can be seen with the naked eye or a hand lens with additional evidence from webs, egg sacs, behaviour, phenology, habitats and distributions. Individual accounts cover 404 species-all of Britain's "macro" spiders and the larger money spiders, with the limitations to field identification clearly explained. This new edition includes nine species new to Britain, many recent name changes, updated distribution maps and species information, new guides to help identify spider families and distinctive species, and the latest species checklist.A guide to spider families, based on features recognizable in the field, focussing on body shape and other characteristics, as well as separate guides to webs and egg-sacsDetailed accounts and more than 700 stunning photographs highlight key identification features for each genus and species, and include information on status, behaviour and habitatsUp-to-date distribution maps, and charts showing adult seasonalityIntroductory chapters on the biology of spiders, and where, when and how to find them, including equipment needed in the fieldA complete list of the spiders recorded in Britain, indicating the ease of identification as well as rarity and conservation statusInformation on how to record spiders and make your records count, and guidance on how to take your interest furtherNew to this edition: coverage of nine species new to Britain, updated species information and distribution maps, identification guides to spider families and distinctive species, and the latest species checklist

The go-to photographic guide to all the damselflies and dragonflies recorded in Europe, including the Macaronesian Islands and western TurkeyEurope'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 EuropeStunning colour plates showing males, females, immatures, colour forms, subspecies and typical habitat for every speciesOver 1,200 superb photographs, supplemented with illustrations of fine detailsDetailed profiles for the 140 resident and vagrant speciesUnique comparison plates for difficult groupsEasy to use by beginners and experts alike, avoiding technical terms

An accessible, comprehensive and beautifully illustrated guide—the only one to cover all the orchids found in Britain and IrelandCovering all fifty-one native species and twelve of uncertain origin, as well as hybrids and variants, Britain’s Orchids is an engaging, intuitive and in-depth identification guide to all the orchids of Britain and Ireland at all stages of development, from first emergence to setting seed. Drawing on the authors’ extensive field experience and the latest scientific research, the book uses multiple techniques to help both beginner and more advanced orchid enthusiasts to identify even the most difficult plants. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolour paintings by talented artist Sarah Stribbling, and features more than 1,200 evocative, instructive and detailed photographs. Orchids have long fired the imagination with their beauty and rarity. This book aims to ignite or increase your passion for these special plants, and for the conservation of their varied habitats—from remote mountaintops to urban wild spaces.The first book to cover all the species at all stages of development, as well as all subspecies, varieties and confirmed hybridsLavishly illustrated with 98 beautiful watercolour platesMore than 1,200 stunning photos showing the orchids in their natural settings and highlighting key identification featuresSimple, step-by-step system for identifying almost any orchid you encounterUp-to-date distribution maps and seasonal charts showing when each species can be seen in its various stages of developmentSean Cole is a field naturalist who has been studying orchids for more than twenty years, with special interests in identification, taxonomy and pollination. He has published many articles on British orchids, including his specialty, the Ghost Orchid. Mike Waller is an ecologist and botanist who specializes in European orchids. He has worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Natural History Museum in London, the London Wildlife Trust and Plantlife.

A fully revised, comprehensive photographic field guide to the dragonflies of Britain and IrelandBritain’s Dragonflies is the only comprehensive photographic field guide to the damselflies and dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Written by two of Britain’s foremost Dragonfly experts, this fully revised and updated fourth edition features hundreds of stunning images and identification charts covering all 57 resident, migrant and former breeding species, and six potential vagrants. The book focuses on the identification of both 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 speciesOver 500 stunning photographs, many of which are new, and more than 550 illustrationsUp-to-date species profiles and distribution mapsDetailed, easy-to-use identification charts for adults and larvae

A carefully designed and beautifully illustrated photographic guide to the moths you are most likely to see during the dayThis concise photographic field guide helps you to identify the day-flying moths most likely to be seen in Great Britain and Ireland. It combines stunning photographs, clear and authoritative text and an easy-to-use design to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of these intriguing and often colourful insects. Like butterflies, some moths fly regularly in sunshine, whereas others that usually fly at night are readily disturbed from their resting places during the day. This guide describes all of these species and features at least one photograph of each in its natural, resting pose. A brief description of each moth covers the key identification features and when and where to look for it, and includes information on its status, life history, special features and caterpillar food plants. Other sections explain how to distinguish moths from butterflies, and also provide essential information on biology, classification, habitats, gardening for moths, conservation and legislation and recording and monitoring.Individual accounts for 158 species and photos of 28 othersMore than 320 stunning photos, with every moth shown as you see itBeautifully designed, easy to use and clearly written

A new and improved edition of the popular photographic field guideBritain’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 extensively revised and updated new 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. Produced in association with Butterfly Conservation, this edition features new introductory sections to the main "types" of butterflies; updated distribution maps; a revised species order reflecting the latest taxonomy; revised sections on recording and monitoring, and conservation and legislation; and a new section on climate change.Stunning colour plates show typical views of each butterfly species, including the various forms and common aberrationsDetailed species profiles provide information on status and distribution, including up-to-date maps, and cover adult identification; behaviour; breeding habitat requirements; population and conservation; egg, caterpillar and chrysalis; and caterpillar foodplantsPhotographs of the egg, caterpillar and chrysalis for every breeding speciesSections on biology, where to look for and how to identify butterflies, and other essential information

A comprehensive photographic identification guide to all of the native trees and shrubs of Great Britain and Ireland and many of the common non-native speciesTrees of Britain and Ireland is packed with practical information, photos and illustrations that will help you identify trees throughout the year. It covers all of Great Britain and Ireland’s native trees and shrubs as well as a range of ornamental and widely planted trees from other areas of the world. This guide also offers an overview of tree biology and ecology, describes the importance of trees as habitats and presents a brief history of British and Irish treescapes.Includes more than 3,000 photographs and 270 illustrations showing key identification features of each tree and highlighting some of the animals, plants, fungi and lichens that depend on itCovers all 113 native trees and shrubs, including all 42 currently recognised Whitebeam species, as well as 190 common non-native species and subspeciesFeatures keys that allow easy, accurate comparison of similar species, up-to-date distribution maps and charts that summarise when trees flower, fruit and leafExplains how you can help with practical tree conservation

An authoritative photographic guide to Europe’s spectacular Alpine floraEurope’s Alpine Flowers covers the flowering plants and conifers that occur regularly on mountains and in Arctic areas north of a line that runs from the Pyrenees to Southern Romania. For many botanists—and gardeners—the alpine flora is the best it gets. There are many species adapted to a harsh climate of extreme winter cold and strong winds, including some of our most beautiful rock plants, such as gentians, saxifrages, and crocuses. These also include subtle and rare flowers that require care to discover and identify. With outstanding photographs and concise text that covers key features, this guide enables confident identification in the field.Covers the plants most likely to be seen above an elevation of 1,000 metres, concentrating on plants confined to high mountain areas of Europe and to the ArcticMore than 1,800 color photographs illustrating almost 1,800 speciesConcise, descriptive species accounts including details of habitat, altitudinal range, flowering period, and distributionFeatures easy-to-use text with minimal botanical jargon and illustrations of essential biological termsWith sections on flower identification, the alpine and Arctic environments and their habitats, and the best places to see alpine flowersComprehensive index including synonyms