Birdwatching in Britain: A Site by Site Guide by Nigel Redman & Simon Harrap

Birdwatching in Britain: A Site by Site Guide by Nigel Redman & Simon Harrap lands on the shelves of my shop.

Christopher Helm, 1987, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Jacket illustration: Hawfinches and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker by Craig Robson. Illustrated by way of: Black & White Drawings; Maps; Maps to the endpapers and blanks;

From the cover: The tremendous growth of interest in birds and birdwatching in Britain has not, until now, been matched by the appearance of a comprehensive and up-to-date guide to finding birds. This book approaches the subject in a unique and novel way. A detailed account of the very best birdwatching localities is combined with a species-by-species treatment of British birds, conveniently cross-referenced to the site accounts.

The major portion of the book deals with 115 sites or groups of sites of national interest and is arranged on a regional basis. Detailed information is given on habitat, access (including, where necessary, a map) and birds. Rather than simply list the species season-by-season, a more discursive approach allows readers to form a clear impression, both of the species they are likely to see and of the scarcer birds which require rather more luck. Where appropriate, particular emphasis is given to the best weather conditions, times of day, and seasons in which to visit. Briefer details are also given of subsidiary sites (totalling 88) which, though of lesser interest in themselves, can be usefully combined with a visit to the main site. Finally, sources of further information are given. In this way, nearly 400 localities are described in detail.

The second section of the book is arranged on a species-by-species basis, covering all those occurring regularly in Britain. As well as giving a concise statement of the status and distribution of each species, this will provide users with a rapid means of finding out which sites are good for any particularly interesting bird and will give specific details about season of occurrence and other relevant information which will assist in tracking down the more elusive species. In addition, a short Calendar gives a monthly account of the birdwatchers year, with ideas about what to look for and where to go at any particular time.

This is a book for every birdwatcher, but especially those not in the comparatively small circle who are in the know about all those special places for birds.

Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. A little rubbing to the edges of the dust wrapper, a faint mark to the head of the upper panel which has some light indentations. Text complete, clean and tight.

Grey boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. [VI] 378 pages. Index. 9½” x 6¼”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

The Birds of America by John James Audubon

The Birds of America by John James Audubon lands on the shelves of my shop.

The Macmillan Company, 1946, Hardback.

5th printing. [First Published: 1937 (Thus)] Illustrated by way of: Colour Plates;

Introduction by: William Vogt

Very Good. A little sunning to the boards, a small stain to the foot of the upper. Text complete, clean and tight.

Red boards with Gilt titling to the Spine & Upper Board. [X] 435 [XXVI] pages. 12″ x 9″.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Smocking with Ribbon: A New Pleasure by Madeline Bird

Smocking with Ribbon: A New Pleasure by Madeline Bird lands on the shelves of my shop.

Smickety Smocks, 1993, Hardback.

Illustrated by way of: Colour Photographs; Patterns;

From the cover: Ribbon smocking is a relatively new variation of traditional smocking. The ribbon is threaded or woven in a variety of ways through some of the first stitches a new smocker masters. This basic knowledge, the wide variety of ribbon available, and Smocking with Ribbon, will soon help newcomers to the craft develop and realise their creative flair. Experienced smockers, too, are offered new areas for interpretation and creativity.

Throughout the book, enlarged colour photographs of the smocking clearly show its rich medley of colours and textures. Added to this are beautifully styled full-page colour photographs of the smocking incorporated into garments, providing further interaction of colour.

The most unique aspect of this book, however, are the computer generated graphics of each design, showing exactly how the ribbon is woven. This is something both the beginner and even the most experienced smocker will appreciate

Near Fine.

Pictorial boards. 94 pages. 12″ x 8½”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Owl Light: The Unique Story of a Boy and His Owl by Jon Hadwick

Owl Light: The Unique Story of a Boy and His Owl by Jon Hadwick lands on the shelves of my shop.

Kyle Cathie, 1991, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Colour Photographs; Black & White Drawings; Signed by the author on the first blank unverified and reflected as such in the lack of premium.

From the cover: Jon Hadwick first became interested in birds of prey at the age of five, when visits to his local zoo in Colchester persuaded him that the squawking, day-glo coloured parrot was no match for the majestic Eagle Owl with its camouflage plumage, eight-foot wing-span and awesome beak and talons. Even at that early age, he was captivated less by their appearance than their flight their ability to fly fast or, in the case of owls, slowly, and in absolute silence, pinpointing their prey with breathtaking accuracy, even in total darkness.

By the time he moved to Cornwall at the age of nine, Jon knew that he wanted to spend his life working with birds. Making friends with a member of the local RSPCA, he was soon helping to rescue injured birds, restoring them to health and releasing them to the wild. In the course of the next few years, he became involved with breeding and releasing barn owls, and he acquired his own owl, Dawn, who is the other central character in this book. It was about this time the plight of the barn owl was becoming a cause for concern. With only 6000 pairs left in Britain, it is in serious danger of extinction, and Jon was determined to raise a successful breeding bird.

The training of Dawn started with her spending as much time as possible, day and night, with Jon no easy assignment for a schoolboy whose mother is allergic to feathers. Only extraordinary determination enabled Jon to see his project through to fruition.

In time, Dawn even grew used to the family cat, and would fly freely and return at Jons whistle. The affinity that has grown between boy and owl is one of the most endearing features of the book.

Jon is now 17; he is becoming well-known in the south-west, where he lectures to schools and ornithological groups, taking Dawn with him. His work has recently attracted attention from the Prince of Wales Trust and the BBC Natural History Unit. He now has several breeding pairs of owls, has released a number of their chicks back into the wild, and is regularly asked to train or care for birds for other people. His story will be an inspiration to conservationists and bird lovers of all ages.

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper. Gently bruised at the head of the spine and the top corners of the boards with commensurate wear to the dust wrapper. Light spotting to the blanks and pastedowns. Text complete, clean and tight otherwise.

Brown boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 157 pages. 9½” x 6¼”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

owl light the unique story of a boy and his owl jon hadwick kyle cathie 1856260275

the unique story of a boy and his owl jon hadwick kyle cathie 1856260275 b

Small-Scale Game Rearing by Jeremy Hobson

Small-Scale Game Rearing by Jeremy Hobson lands on the shelves of my shop.

The Crowood Press, 1988, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated by way of: Black & White Photographs; Black & White Drawings;

From the cover: Much worthwhile shooting can be built up from scratch, given enthusiasm, determination and some expert guidance. In this practical handbook Jeremy Hobson shows how gamebirds can be reared and released on a small scale both effectively and economically.

From hatching and buying in chicks to dealing with the mature bird, all aspects of the rearing and releasing programme are discussed in detail, including shelter, feeding, daily care, and minimising losses from predators and disease. For the newly established syndicate there is clear advice on negotiating with landowners, choosing the shoot and improving the existing habitat, while a special section on the shooting day covers all the elements of organising a successful shoot from employing beaters and pickers-up, showing partridge and getting reared duck to fly, to inviting guests and being a good host.

Fully illustrated with photographs and diagrams, Small-Scale Game Rearing is an invaluable guide for the amateur gamekeeper and DIY shooting syndicate.

Very Good in Good Dust Wrapper. Dust wrapper damp-stained on the reverse of the spine, just showing through. Text complete, clean and tight.

Black boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 112 pages. Index. Bibliography. 8¾” x 5¾”.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!

Off the Beaten Track: A Traveller’s Anthology by Laura Stoddart

Off the Beaten Track: A Traveller’s Anthology by Laura Stoddart lands on the shelves of my shop.

Orion, 2002, Hardback in dust wrapper.

Illustrated with line drawings.

From the cover: A book of brief quotations about travel and exploration from those who love to get off the beaten track and those who wish theyd stayed at home.

Here you will read advice to the traveller -and reflections from travellers from many centuries: Captain Cook confidently declaring that no man will ever venture further than he has, Richard Burton musing on how to keep a wife alive in the tropics, Edward Lear being seasick crossing the Channel, and the unreliable Sir John Mandeville spinning his travellers tales.

Intrepid travellers such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Marco Polo, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, Mary Kingsley, Isabella Bird, Captain Scott and Freya Stark all of them are here, some of them awestruck at the majesty of their surroundings and others distinctly unimpressed.

Laura Stoddarts delicious illustrations seize on the unexpected, and make a comment on what the author doesnt say. Her many admirers will find this wittily chosen anthology has all the charm of her Up the Garden Path. .

Very Good in Very Good Dust Wrapper.

Blue boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 80 pages. 7¾” x 6″.

Of course, if you don’t like this one there are plenty more available here!