Waders of Europe, Asia and North America (Helm Field Guides) [Paperback]

Stephen Message (Author)

Book Description

Series: Helm Field Guides | Publication Date: November 30, 2005

This new field guide offers a complete identification reference to all of the sandpipers, plovers, stints and other waders found in Europe, Asia and North America. The superb plates show birds at rest and in flight, in every plumage variant likely to be encountered in the region. Species have been grouped, especially on the flight plates, so that similar species are shown close to each other. Facing text summarises key identification pointers to complete a quick-reference, field-friendly guide to this difficult and challenging group.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a definitive guide to the 124 species of the northern hemisphere waders" Birdy World (April 2006) "...an excellent resource..." Birdwatch (May 2006) "...the most significant book about waders to come out for some time... this book is a real advance for wader fans everywhere." Birdtours.co.uk (29th August 2006) "...it is an excellent reference publication, and those with a particular interest in shorebirds will certainly want to consider it." Scottish Bird News (September 2006) "...this is a useful addition to wader identification guides and, unlike many 'field' guides, is small and light enough to carry easily in a field bag." The British Ornithologists' Union (2006)

About the Author

Don Taylor is a lifelong birder with a particular interest in waders. His previous books include Birding in Kent (Helm). Stephen Message is an acclaimed bird artist whose work appears in many books and articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Christopher Helm Ornithology (November 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 071365290X
• ISBN-13: 978-0713652901
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,078,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly disappointing compared to available guides, September 25, 2007

By 

Christopher J. Sharpe "Chris Sharpe" (Caracas, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Waders of Europe, Asia and North America (Helm Field Guides) (Paperback)

Being a shorebird enthusiast, I have had this title in my sights for a while and planned to purchase it as soon as I could find a copy to look through. I have owned the old Helm guide since it came out but, for portability, in the field I tend to use Sibley or the Collins Bird Guide as a shorebird identification supplement to whatever national guide I am using (that is here in the Western Hemisphere). I felt it was about time I got my library up-to-date with this new volume which promised to supersede all my guides. However, when I finally managed to look over a copy I have to say I found it a little disappointing. For me at least, the illustrations do not match those of Killian Mullarney, Peter Hayman or David Sibley and the text does not seem to add much to the older Helm guide - indeed, I prefer that pioneering guide. It just shows how much care went into the preparation of those older guides - Shorebirds is 21 years old now and still hard to beat! This may be a personal view - and admittedly based on a short perusal - but I could not justify adding the book to my library.

Chris Sharpe, 25 September 2007. ISBN: 071365290X