Spurn Wildlife 2012
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Probably by far the most professionally turned out local bird report in Britain, it is always a pleasure to open the pages of Spurn Wildlife, the annual report published by Spurn Bird Observatory.
The pages are crammed with well-written, carefully produced and snappily edited copy, covering such diverse subjects as finders’ accounts of American Black Tern, Pallid Harrier and European Roller, conservation measures, the status of scarce breeding species, and summaries of migration and ringing recoveries.
The systematic list is readable, detailed and informative without being too bogged down with statistical minutiae, and there are quality watercolours by several artists to help break up the text. There is a high standard of photography throughout, with both action shots of regular species and diagnostic images of rarities.
Insects and plants are also covered, and the volume as a whole serves as a cumulative reference for locals, as well as a useful ‘look see’ for potential visitors to get a feel for that first visit to a truly special British birding hot-spot.
The pages are crammed with well-written, carefully produced and snappily edited copy, covering such diverse subjects as finders’ accounts of American Black Tern, Pallid Harrier and European Roller, conservation measures, the status of scarce breeding species, and summaries of migration and ringing recoveries.
The systematic list is readable, detailed and informative without being too bogged down with statistical minutiae, and there are quality watercolours by several artists to help break up the text. There is a high standard of photography throughout, with both action shots of regular species and diagnostic images of rarities.
Insects and plants are also covered, and the volume as a whole serves as a cumulative reference for locals, as well as a useful ‘look see’ for potential visitors to get a feel for that first visit to a truly special British birding hot-spot.
- Spurn Wildlife 2012 edited by Andy Roadhouse and Roy Taylor (Spurn Bird Observatory, East Yorkshire, 2013).
- 184 pages, numerous photographs, illustrations and maps.
- ISBN 9780956557131. Pbk, £10 or free with Spurn Bird Observatory membership.
