Birds in Scotland

Publishing Details

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Description

'The most important work on the birds of Scotland ever published' - British Birds

This comprehensive study and review of the birds in Scotland follows on from where the celebrated two volumes of The Birds of Scotland (1953), by Dr Baxter and Miss Rintoul, left off.

It does more than that, however, since not only has there been a profound increase in ornithological coverage and data (as reflected in the species accounts), there have also been great changes in habitat and environment since the days of Baxter & Rintoul.

These aspects form the themes of the ten preliminary chapters reviewing the Scottish scene today in terms of habitat, conservation, birdwatching and the changes in species status and distribution. The species accounts, the backbone of the book, review the period 1950-83 but include, where practicable, records of rarities and details of counts up to the spring of 1985; there are also brief summaries of earlier data based on the researches of Baxter & Rintoul.

In all, 497 species are dealt with. The texts of major species accounts are complemented by 173 distribution maps and many tables of relevant data, and there are 129 species drawings by a team of artists under the editorship of Donald Watson, who also contributes chapter head pieces and other drawings. A section of photographs illustrates the varied habitats typical of Scotland today. There are, further, appendices and an extensive bibliography.

The book will be of great interest to all birdwatchers in Scotland but of special value, too, to the many thousands of birdwatching visitors from elsewhere in these islands and from countries abroad. The Scottish Ornithologists' Club, for whom the book is published, and all whose records and researches made the author's work possible, have reason to be proud of Valerie Thom's achievement.

Reviews

This book is the most important work on the birds of Scotland ever published. If it were a county avifauna, it would be a remarkable piece of work, but , covering an entire country, it is quite outstanding. Birds in Scotland is essential for anyone with an interest in Scottish birds: it is both a mine of information and food for thought and will surely stimulate interest for years to come. * British Birds *
One of the truly monumental works of ornithology, which certainly should find a place in the personal library of anyone claiming more than a passing interest in the rich avifauna of Scotland. Indeed, its appeal will extend to a much wider readership, since it embodies information which impinges directly on the study of birds over a far wider geographical span. * Birdwatchers Yearbook *
a fine book, well produced as ever by Poyser, and liberally illustrated with vignettes by a dozen artists. Appendices list the hundreds of sites mentioned in the book, local bird reports and island checklists, and wetlands of international importance, while the 11-page bibliography plus subject and species indexes are models of their kind. When all this is put together at such a reasonable price, there is no reason to doubt that this book will become the standard work for many years to come. * Ibis *
All birdwatchers in Scotland seem already to possess a copy of this book. Visiting birdwatchers would be foolish to venture north of the border without one. * Habitat *

Author Bio

Valerie Thom worked as an agricultural adviser and in conservation education before becoming a freelance writer on the Scottish countryside. She was an Honorary President of the Scottish Ornithology Club.

Norman Arlott is one of Britain's most experienced wildlife artists. He has twice been British Birds 'Bird Illustrator of the Year', and his work has appeared in many prestigious ornithology books over the past 20 years.