Whether you’re shopping for a seasoned wildlife watcher or a curious beginner, these expertly crafted books are perfect for exploring the natural world. From identifying British wildflowers and lichens, to migratory bird calls and hoverflies, these field guides offer invaluable insights and stunning visuals. Here, we have selected a few of our favourite field guides of 2024, just in time for Christmas!
ID Handbook of European Birds (2-Volume Set)
This groundbreaking photographic reference book provides the most in-depth coverage of European birds available to date and features stunning high-resolution photographs of over 733 European species to aid identification – a must-have for any birder.
Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland
A beautifully illustrated photographic field guide focusing on the most readily identified hoverflies in Britain and Ireland. This fully updated third edition covers an additional thirteen species and contains remarkable photographs of hoverflies in multiple life stages to aid identification for beginners and seasoned naturalists alike.
From passionate naturalist, photographer, illustrator and author David Wege, Mammal Tracks of Europe covers the tracks and trails of 72 European mammal species. It features detailed, life-sized drawings of tracks and animal portraits, with species names written in eight European languages to make an accessible field companion for trackers and naturalists across the continent.
Lichens of Ireland & Great Britain: A Visual Guide to Their Identification (2-Volume Set)
Brimming with detailed descriptions and lavish illustrations, this monumental work describes over 700 species and covers a wealth of information including biology, ecology, microscopy, and a short history and lichenology. As such, it is an invaluable reference guide for both beginners and experienced lichen enthusiasts.
An Identification guide to trees of Britain and Northwest Europe
An easy-to-use introduction to the identification of 89 tree species across Britain and North-West Europe. Expertly photographed, the trees featured in this guide are captured throughout the seasons and feature close-up details to effortlessly distinguish between species.
Brown Seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) of Britain and Ireland
The culmination of over 30 years of study, this book offers the first complete, up-to-date illustrated guide to nearly 200 species of British and Irish brown algae, including unique coverage of the lesser-known, more cryptic, or microscopic varieties. This exhaustive reference work contains over 300 compound plates of photographs and line drawings to complement its extensive coverage of distributions, morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, life histories and more, making it an indispensable research tool for phycologists and students.
British & Irish Wildflowers and Plants
Brimming with full colour photos and macro shots, this pocket-sized book allows for straightforward identification of the most common wildflowers and plants found in Great Britain and Ireland. It was designed with all capabilities in mind for a seamless identification process, with clearly illustrated drawings, species description and simple visual keys.
The first complete photographic guide to bird pellets, this book showcases a wide range of pellets produced by different species, including owls, hawks, waders and various garden birds. Pellets from each species are analysed in detail, and readers are informed of how to identify the remains of small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and other birds. This must-have guide fills the gap in bird pellet knowledge and will prove to be invaluable to enthusiasts and field workers alike.
Identifying Migratory Birds by Sound in Britain and Europe
Learn to identify migratory birds with this extensive auditory guide. Often neglected in traditional birding guides, this unique work describes calls with precision and details the flight behaviour of over 450 species. It contains over 1,000 downloadable sounds and annotated sonograms, allowing readers to visualise, identify and memorise flight and contact calls of all European migratory species with ease.
Field Guide to the Orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean
This completely revised second edition draws on the latest research to produce an accessible, easy-to-use guide to the orchids of Europe and the Mediterranean. Written by some of the foremost experts on the group, it is richly illustrated with over 2,000 photographs, demonstrating with great clarity the natural variability seen in over thirty genera, including natural hybrids, making it an essential resource for orchid enthusiasts and botanists alike.
Smithsonian Trees of North America
Ten years in the making, this insightful work provides readers with an indispensable illustrated source to hundreds of North American tree species. Visually stunning and insightful, John Kress shares over 3,000 images of identifying characteristics and includes hundreds of range maps for the group. It also covers the diversity, structure, form and beauty of trees, and provides an in-depth introduction to their biology, conservation and value. A monumental marriage of science and art, this important book will be an invaluable reference for future generations.
Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland
Building on the expertise of the first edition by award winning photographer, botanist and mycologist Roger Phillips, this seminal work is the perfect guide to help both beginners and experienced botanists learn about the wildflowers they see around them. Whether in urban green settings or the countryside, identification has never been easier with this updated and extended addition. It features over 1,000 photographed and illustrated wildflowers, detailed descriptions and extensive background information to create an essential photographic guide.
Field Guide to Birds of Greater Southern Africa
An essential reference guide to all resident, breeding and migrant species for anyone exploring or living in the wildlife-rich landscapes of Southern Africa. Part of the Helm Field Guide Series, this field guide describes over 1,000 regularly occurring species in the region, illustrated in 272 colour plates by three of the world’s leading bird illustrators.
Frustrating Flowers & Puzzling Plants
Coming to the rescue of exasperated novices and those troubled with unfamiliar and complex groups, this accessible guide identifies a new approach to identifying difficult plants. The author directs readers to parts of the plant in which to investigate more closely for accurate identification, using user-friendly keys and diagnostic illustrations. This novel approach was designed for those getting to grips with baffling or cryptic specimens.