Cambridgeshire Bird Atlas 2007-2011
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This attractively presented publication arrived well before the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) massive Bird Atlas 2007-11, which covers the whole country. Using data collected for that volume, this book focuses entirely on Cambridgeshire.
Five hundred maps of both breeding and winter distributions of 167 bird species show just where the birds are, while the abundance maps give some idea of how common they are. For each species there are estimates of breeding and wintering populations. Most species accounts are spread over two pages, with scarcer species having just one. The 50 or so line drawings from five artists bring it to life, although some look a little lost when placed on a page of their own.
Like all atlases, this is a testament to the efforts of local birders who have put in so much work to gather the information. The texts are clearly written, drawing suitable comparisons with previous works for Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. The introductory section of changes to the avifauna makes sobering reading, highlighting both good and bad, and there is little joy in some of the accounts. Notably absent is Willow Tit, no longer to be found breeding within the county, while other declining species include Hawfinch (none breeding), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (confirmed in just two tetrads) and Woodcock (also only in two tetrads). Tree Sparrow is long gone from my local area but I see it hangs on nearby, so there is still hope. On the plus side, there is clear expansion of species such as Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Hobby, with wetland species like Bittern, Little Egret and Avocet also doing well.
The singular importance of Cambridgeshire's wetland habitats is clearly demonstrated. The map of nature reserves at the start of the book shows that thankfully most of the important areas within the county are protected.
This is a great book for anyone with an interest in the county’s birds and will act as a spur for observers to continue submitting sightings. Armed with clear information, as contained in this atlas, conservation battles can still be fought, and although there is little joy when we look back there is still great hope as we look forward.
• Cambridgeshire Bird Atlas 2007-2011 by Louise Bacon, Alison Cooper and Hugh Venables (Cambridgeshire Bird Club, 2013).
• 294 pages, numerous black-and-white drawing and maps.
• ISBN 9780902038271. Pbk, £15.
Five hundred maps of both breeding and winter distributions of 167 bird species show just where the birds are, while the abundance maps give some idea of how common they are. For each species there are estimates of breeding and wintering populations. Most species accounts are spread over two pages, with scarcer species having just one. The 50 or so line drawings from five artists bring it to life, although some look a little lost when placed on a page of their own.
Like all atlases, this is a testament to the efforts of local birders who have put in so much work to gather the information. The texts are clearly written, drawing suitable comparisons with previous works for Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire. The introductory section of changes to the avifauna makes sobering reading, highlighting both good and bad, and there is little joy in some of the accounts. Notably absent is Willow Tit, no longer to be found breeding within the county, while other declining species include Hawfinch (none breeding), Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (confirmed in just two tetrads) and Woodcock (also only in two tetrads). Tree Sparrow is long gone from my local area but I see it hangs on nearby, so there is still hope. On the plus side, there is clear expansion of species such as Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Hobby, with wetland species like Bittern, Little Egret and Avocet also doing well.
The singular importance of Cambridgeshire's wetland habitats is clearly demonstrated. The map of nature reserves at the start of the book shows that thankfully most of the important areas within the county are protected.
This is a great book for anyone with an interest in the county’s birds and will act as a spur for observers to continue submitting sightings. Armed with clear information, as contained in this atlas, conservation battles can still be fought, and although there is little joy when we look back there is still great hope as we look forward.
• Cambridgeshire Bird Atlas 2007-2011 by Louise Bacon, Alison Cooper and Hugh Venables (Cambridgeshire Bird Club, 2013).
• 294 pages, numerous black-and-white drawing and maps.
• ISBN 9780902038271. Pbk, £15.
