Tag: How to choose

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. 

Mammal Tracks of Europe 

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.  

Bird Pellets 

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.  

Feral 

A passionate plea for restoring wildness to our landscapes from one of the world’s most celebrated radical thinkers. In this monumental work, Monbiot explores the ecological and psychological benefits of allowing nature to take its course, and draws on scientific research and riveting tales of personal experience to illustrate how rewilding can restore damaged ecosystems on land and sea, mitigate climate change, enhance biodiversity, and improve human well-being.

Entangled Life 

Winner of the 2021 Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation, this fascinating book takes readers on a mind-altering adventure to showcase the incredible detail, vibrant colour and sometimes strange features of fungi. Spectacular, yet often neglected, Merlin Sheldrake expertly reveals the inner workings of this mysterious third kingdom and explores our understanding of the group and how they have shaped our planet.  

The Lost Rainforests of Britain 

A celebration of the long-forgotten temperate rainforests that once thrived in Britain. Guy Shrubsole tells the captivating story of this fragmented habitat, its history, how it was lost and how we can protect the last patches of this unique habitat. From Welsh wizards to Celtic druids, this book takes the reader over Britain to show how we can restore these places to their former glory. 

The Book of Wilding 

In this highly anticipated work, Isabella Tree and Charlie Burrell share some of the many lessons they have learned from their pioneering rewilding project at the Knepp Estate in Sussex. This inspiring book is packed with practical solutions for rewilding on a range of scales, from farms and estates to allotments and gardens and explores the importance of rewilding techniques for nature conservation.  

Bringing Back the Beaver 

Farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow documents his experience rewilding Beavers in England and Scotland. This inspirational and riotously funny firsthand account shares the story of Gow’s work since the 1990’s to import, quarantine and assist the reestablishment of this species in Britain. Bringing Back the Beaver emphasises the importance of these animals in the face of climate-induced flood and drought, and their critical role in creating rich wetland habitats for a broad spectrum of British wildlife. 

Secrets of a Devon Wood 

Artist and illustrator Jo Brown has captured hearts and minds across the globe with this awe-inspiring nature journal. In a bid to document the small wonders of the wood behind her home, Jo beautifully depicts fauna and flora with rich detail and documents facts about each species’ physiology and life history in an exact replica of her original Moleskin journal. 

Rebirding 

The winner of the 2020 Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation, Rebirding highlights a forward-thinking roadmap to reversing the decline of bird populations, and wildlife decline, in Britain. It describes solutions to the ever-increasing problems our landscapes face, with visions of a beautiful, profitable British countryside.  

The Wildflower Key 

A comprehensive guide to identifying wild plants in Britain and Ireland. This revised and expanded second edition contains detailed keys to more than 1,600 wild plants and is packed with a range of identification tips and innovative features to benefit both beginners and experienced botanists. The text covers a wide range of flowers, shrubs and trees in great clarity, making it an invaluable reference for year-round identification.  

All the Birds of the World 

This all-encompassing new guide lists all the birds of the world, allowing readers to browse and compare Earth’s amazing avian diversity between the covers of one volume. All the Birds of the World presents over 11,000 species, accompanied by 11,558 distribution maps and 20,865 illustrations detailing sexual dimorphism, morphs and distinctive subspecies. 

All the Mammals of the World 

An exhaustive reference book featuring over 6,000 mammal species, including wild, domestic, and extinct species. It includes an enormous number of exquisite illustrations, distribution maps, and measurements for each species. This book is designed for a broad audience, including wildlife enthusiasts and researchers, offering a visually stunning and informative overview of the world’s mammalian diversity. 

Solitary Bees 

Often overlooked, solitary bees have remarkably complex behaviour and ecology, as is revealed in this New Naturalist volume. Solitary Bees draws on a new wave of knowledge to provide readers with a wonderful insight into the complicated lives of solitary bees – from nesting behaviours to interspecies interactions, this book calls on scientific literature and the authors’ own observations to explore the lives of these insects further.  

Silent Earth 

Part love letter to the insect world, part elegy, and part rousing manifesto, Dave Goulson draws on the latest ground-breaking research and a lifetime of study to reveal the shocking decline of insect populations. This powerful book is a call to arms for change at every level and argues that it is not too late to love, respect and care for our insect friends.  

Otherlands 

Otherlands, the exceptional debut of Scottish palaeontologist Thomas Halliday, immerses readers in a series of past world landscapes. Journey to all seven continents to visit the birthplace of humanity, giant fungal forests and the highest waterfall the world has ever known and discover the fantastical planet earth over the last 550 million years. Though very much grounded in fact, each ecosystem is lyrically written with an eye for detail and drama, making this work a masterpiece of spellbinding science communication.  

Other minds 

Combining science and philosophy, Peter Godfrey-Smith dives into the extraordinary history of evolved intelligence and explores how early forms of communication gave rise to advanced nervous systems in humans and cephalopods. Interspersed with captivating firsthand accounts, Other Minds sheds a new light on consciousness and the convergent evolution of intelligence in a fascinating blend of natural history, philosophy and evocative writing.  

Wilding 

Wilding chronicles the transformation of a struggling Sussex farm into a thriving 3,500-acre ecosystem through rewilding. By introducing free-roaming grazing animals like Exmoor Ponies, Longhorn Cattle, and Tamworth Pigs, the Burrell’s have allowed nature to take over the land with extraordinary results. This book is a hopeful and inspiring tale of ecological restoration and reveals the ways in which we can regain a wilder, richer country.  

Little Books of Nature Collection

A stunning collection of richly illustrated mini reference guides covering an array of nature topics. This collection features eight expertly-written volumes, including weather, dinosaurs, whales, fungi, trees and beetles. Each pocket-sized book contains over 100 photographs and illustrations and is brimming with surprising facts and unique insights about the chosen topic. Beautifully designed with a foil stamped cloth cover, these little books are a highly collectible series, and the perfect gift for anyone with an interest in the natural world.  

Collins Gem Guides Collection 

This excellent selection of mini-pocket guides provide an accessible introduction for a range of topics, including mushrooms, butterflies, insects and garden birds. Each volume is packed with authoritative text and detailed images to aid in identification, making it the ideal companion for those wanting to learn more about the natural world. Digestible and portable, the Gem Guides collection is an ideal starting point for children and nature enthusiasts alike. 

Bloomsbury Concise Guides Collection

Suitable for both beginners and seasoned naturalists, these popular guidebooks allow users to quickly identify a variety of different species, including pond wildlife, insects and herbs. This collection is particularly affordable, and is supplemented with stunning full-colour artworks, making these pocket guidebooks the ultimate gift for those that are nature-inclined.  

Ornithology Mug Collection

High quality porcelain decorated with delightful drawings from Dutch artist and biologist Elwin Van der Kolk. Each mug is decorated with adult and juvenile birds, such as Robins, Blue Tits and Avocets. Shipped in a gift box, this range makes a lovely present to enrich a nature lover’s morning cuppa. 

Playing Cards

A wonderful reference to the sheer variety of organisms that exist in our natural world, these delightful playing cards from Heritage Playing Card Company are a perfect stocking filler. Each pack is illustrated in colour to showcase the diversity of flora and fauna in each group, with topics ranging from mushrooms to insects and spiders.  

Gift in a Tin Collection

The Gift in a Tin range makes a wonderful stocking filler and offers creative fun for all ages. The collection includes a selection of self-assembly models such as Woolly Mammoth, Sabre Tooth Tiger and British Wildflowers. These natural history themed items are designed to be self-assembled to create a charming model, perfect for display.

Nature Bingo Collection

A fun and engaging take on the classic game, the Bingo collection by Laurence King contains some uniquely themed varieties including Ocean Bingo, Tree Bingo and Monkey Bingo. Suitable for up to eight players, each box contains fabulously illustrated double-sided bingo boards, themed bingo chips, brightly coloured counters and a large bingo board. Suitable for people of all ages, this unique game is ideal for the festive season. 

Soft Toys

A lovely collection of soft toys, depicting a range of British wildlife including Puffins, Red Squirrels, Pipistrelle Bats and Brown Long-eared Bats. These soft toys are made from thick, double-lined fabric and the bats come with fully bendable wings. Each toy comes with an information tag featuring educational facts about the animal, its habitat and diet, making it the perfect gift for children who are learning about nature.  

3D Wooden Animal Models Collection 

Build your own menagerie with these easy to assemble wood model kits. Suitable for both adults and children, these models will make an exciting addition to anyone’s bookshelf and make a unique displayable art piece. Each kit contains 42 FSC wooden pieces, step-by-step instructions and ideas for decoration. There are a number of different animal models to choose from in this collection, ranging from rays and sharks to owls and spiders.  

The Starling: A Biography  

Marking the sixth volume in Stephen Moss’s Bird Biography series, The Starling delves into the fascinating life of one of our most talented and surprising birds. Starlings are renowned for their iridescent plumage, impressive vocal abilities and mesmerising murmurations, and this captivating tale explores how they’ve shaped our world, inspired art and music through the decades, influenced the agricultural industry and more. 

Ponds, Pools and Puddles 

A recent addition to the New Naturalist Series, this long-awaited title has been in the works since the 1950’s. This detailed account synthesizes a wealth of information on these valuable freshwater habitats, covering what they are, how they differ from rivers and lakes, their types, origins, abundance and distribution. This book has made an invaluable contribution to raising awareness of these overlooked freshwater habitats and concludes with a chapter on conservation and pond management. 

Hedges 

Part of the British Wildlife Collection, Hedges introduces readers to the humble hedgerow, and celebrates the ecology, biology and cultural history of these rich habitats in Britain. In this book, Robert Wolton collates decades of research to explore the wider values of hedges and provides a comprehensive commentary on our relationship with these habitats. 

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. This monumental work is a must-have for any birder. 

Oaklore 

Join author Jules Acton on a joyful and creative exploration of one of Britain’s most important trees and their incredibly diverse history. This fascinating book is a treasure trove of botanical information, insights and anecdotes into the historical, mythological and ecological significance of oaks.  

Close Encounters of the Fungal Kind 

Acclaimed scientist and author Richard Fortey reflects on the unique and otherworldly charm of the mysterious third kingdom. As told through the author’s own adventures to find the most extraordinary, strange and delicious fungi, this book explores the vast fungal kingdom with warmth and enthusiasm.  

British and 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. It was designed with all capabilities in mind for a seamless identification process, with clearly illustrated drawings, species description and simple visual keys.  

Blue Machine 

Dive deep into the inner workings of the Earth’s oceans with the winner of this year’s Wainwright Prize for Writing on Global Conservation. This timely book draws on years of experience at the forefront of marine science to illuminate the inner workings of the world’s oceans, and examines the people who live in it, rely on it and travel over it. This book elegantly explores this complex system and builds on knowledge that is crucial to our future.   

Hoverflies of Britain and Ireland 

A beautifully illustrated photographic field guide focusing on the most readily identified hoverflies in Great Britain. 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.  

The Accidental Garden 

A lyrical reflection of the natural world by Richard Mabey, inviting readers to reconsider the ‘disorder’ of nature. Rooted in the daily life of his own garden, Mabey shares a story where nature becomes its own gardener, reorganising itself against a background of disorder. 

The Osprey 

This Poyser monograph is a captivating dedication to the Osprey featuring more than 150 full-colour photographs. It looks at the distribution, foraging ecology, migration, breeding behaviour and population dynamics of the species and covers the conservation efforts that have been undertaken to successfully reintroduce Osprey in Britain. 

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. This book is an invaluable reference guide for both beginners and experienced lichen enthusiasts.