A Birdwatching Guide to Brandenburg and Berlin

Not an obvious destination for many, Germany has a thriving birding and twitching scene, as well as several world-class reserves and vagrant hot-spots. The country’s capital, Berlin, does not often feature on visiting birders’ lists of sites to check out, but this book may change minds somewhat. One of Europe's greatest cites, it has a good deal to offer at most times of the year and this guide will help you to see most of it.

Berlin actually sits in quite a productive region in its home state of Brandenburg. British readers of this well-put-together privately published guide may be surprised just how many Central European specialities are available from a base in this sprawling but green metropolis.

The city and its surrounds have a remarkable array of habitats, including fantastic wetlands for breeding birds and migrants and great ancient forests. Of particular note to Brits at various times of the year will be the juicy and accessible likes of Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Little Crake, Great Bustard, Little Bittern, Pygmy Owl, Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Tawny Pipit, Thrush Nightingale, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Barred, Great Reed, Marsh, Icterine, Savi's and Aquatic Warblers, as well as breathtaking numbers of migrating Common Cranes – surely an appetite-whetting selection.

The book has excellent site and species summaries, numerous well-drawn maps for nearly all locations, good recommendations for accommodation, advice on where to go for short breaks and a regional checklist. While a trip to Berlin is likely to major on cultural interest, I shall certainly be taking this book along next time I go.