Dominic Couzens

This chance purchase in a charity shop has proved to be a mine of fascinating information. I'm a bit of a novice as an observer of garden birds. I watch them at the feeder, I observe them living their busy lives in the shrubs and trees with great enjoyment but only limited knowledge. This book brings real understanding to the day-to-day life of those birds we all think we know something about. The book is divided into chapters, each representing a month of the year. Follow it through, month by month, and you'll have real insight into the secret lives of your garden birds.… (más)

Couzens has written her a book that is not ground-breaking but accurately reflects his highlights and low points of birdwatching at the same 'patch' over a number of years. The patch in question has had details modified so that it is not obvious as to its exact location, and leaves you to concentrate on the birds and other animals that he sees.

The book is split into 12 chapters, one per month. There are several sections in each chapter each corresponding to a specific day and date and are not strictly chronological. Couzens writes about the significant days when he has visited his patch that end up meaning something to him. In each of the sub chapter he writes about the birds and other fauna that he sees, he notes significant and rare birds and and reinforces the fact that when you visit these places some days you do not always get what you wish for.

The writing style is very amiable and easy to read. He has masses of energy and enthusiasm for the wildlife in general and birds in particular, and his writing comes across with that. What he highlights here is that the regular and consistent viewing of the same patch can reap benefits in terms of sightings of birds, and the seasonal pointers that pepper the book allow you to imagine the birds as they arrive and the weather conditions at the time.

I did enjoy this book, it It is not really long and I read it really quickly. His main aim of the book is to get you ,the reader, out there searching for birds and animals and keeping records. He does cover other issues, such as the the way that the seasons give structure to the year; he details the new arrivals and the unusual birds that he sees. He mentions things that strike him as being interesting, and he writes about the way that the birds on his patch have changed from years ago.… (más)

In the urban sprawl, it is sometimes hard to see the natural world, but most people don't realise that after an hour or so in the car from their front door they'd be able to see some of best examples of wildlife, woodlands and our finest natural landscapes. Thankfully in this book, Dominic Couzens has collated a list of the places that you may be close to that will give you the best opportunity to see the wildlife in your region.

There is something in here for everyone, moorlands, coastal and wetlands, woodlands and even derelict industrial areas. There is a short history of each place and personal suggestions on what to see from Couzens. Each of the 100 places that he recommends to visit, contains details of how to get there and where to park as well as lots of details on what delights that you could see depending upon the season that you visit. The book is packed full of photos of the sites, as well as the beautiful artworks by Elizabeth Baldin. Not just for wildlife lovers, but perhaps everyone to keep one in the glovebox of the car.
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