Wildlife Bookshop

[davebutterflyman]

Any wildlife related books that are worth a read/purchase, either old, current or in the pipeline, share them on here.

[pisces77]

One of the best books I have read is by Phil Drabble, My Wilderness in Bloom, how he constructed his small estate by any means, he was cantankerous but knew what he wanted to achieve, he let nothing stand in his way, highly recommended.
Others I recommend any of Dave Goulson on his quest to find species of bumble bee, Sting in the Tale, Buzz in the Meadow and Bee Quest, and if any one likes to read of the olden days of farming, The Worm Forgives the Plough, some superb colour plates in it.
 Another two I can recommend are Plant and Planet by Anthony Huxley 1st published in 1974 and The Englishman's Flora by Geoffrey Grigson, contains a lot of local names for plants.

[davebutterflyman]

The last book sounds particularly interesting John and it would be good to read about local names for plants.

[geoff]

Not exactly a book but an interactive key produced by FSC for Harvestmen identification.

harvestmen.fscbiodiversity.uk/

[jen]

I've several of the FSC charts but not the Harvestman , i'll look out for it , Geoff

Phil Drabble i'm familiar with , John . I've , My Beloved Wilderness & Country Wise , which are both a good read . I like the sound of My Wilderness in Bloom .

I also have Dave Goulson's A Sting in the Tale & will look out for The Worm Forgives the Plough .

Thanks both for your suggestions

[geoff]

Last winter I found a discounted Solitary Bees by Ted Benton which is more of a general read about bee lifestyles than some of the more detailed identification guides which can be a 'dry read' unless you are searching for a specific identification.

It does also have a key to families but nothing more complicated.

[davebutterflyman]

Very useful link Geoff, thanks.

[davebutterflyman]

We picked up a very useful book whilst we were away in Norfolk, Best Birdwatching Sites, and it covers most of the UK, broke down into separate publications for each region/county. Great information about many of the known bird watching sites but mixed in are some real gems, sites only known by locals and purchasers of this excellent guide. Laid out in a very user friendly way with maps, detailed species lists, sat nav and postcode details to all the sites and detailed information on access to and whilst on site.

www.amazon.co.uk/Norfolk-Neil-Glenn/dp/0956987648/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1539072338&sr=8-5&keywords=best+birdwatching+sites

[jen]

The series looks very useful Dave , and worth purchasing

[davebutterflyman]

They really are Jen, you can find some hidden treasures of places that not many people will know about.

[Grayling]

If anyone is looking for a Moth ID Guide I can recommend "British Moths" by Chris Manley - the 2nd Edition.

I had the 1st Edition which was soft back - it was used so much it has started to fall apart.  That edition contained all the British butteflies plus some larvae and eggs.

The 2nd Edition is hardback cover and is only moths.  It shows a lot more micros and leafminers too.  In total over 3,200 photos and are all of living insects in natural conditions.  The photos of the moths on the whole all face the same direction and where there are variations in the moths, male/female these are often shown too - I won't say that all variations are shown because there are bound to be some that aren't!!    The photos and information about the moths are shown on the same pages.

I did buy this one from new on-line for just under £30.00 but I use it all the time so feel it is money well spent.

I've also got the "Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland"  by Townsend and Lewington which I use with the one above.  The moth illustrations are all colour artworks - which some people prefer.  This one I picked up in my local Oxfam Bookshop for £3.00 - much better than the £30.00 it would be bought new!!!  

With this one, the information about the moths are on different pages to the illustrations - again substantial differences in appearance are also illustrated

[davebutterflyman]

Thanks for that Grayling

It is one book i have been meaning to get so maybe i'll start an early xmas list!

[geoff]

I also use that Paul Waring and Martin Townsend book. It covers everything including rare species and migrants so can be hard going at times. The images are a bit small for comparing subtle differences but the descriptions including flight periods and distribution are good.

When faced with a 'new to me' moth and I don't know where to start, I tend to have a rummage through the Collins Guide first then double check the description in Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.

[davebutterflyman]

It's never a bad thing to have a couple of guides to cross-reference against, i don't need to with the moths anymore but i do with fungi and have at least three guides that i use.

[Grayling]

Oct 12, 2018 7:43:45 GMT davebutterflyman said:

I don't need to with the moths anymore 

I live in hope of being able to say that 

I'm currently trying to improve my memory of the scientific names of the more usual micros rather than rely on their common name.

[davebutterflyman]

That's a task and a half Grayling but you will get there, i only use the scientific vernacular and it has been that way right from the start, i rarely, if ever, use the common English vernacular for micros.