Crossbill Guide: Cevennes and Grands Causses – France

This is the first time I have actually looked at a Crossbill Guide with anything more than a casual glance – not lack of interest but simply that I have not been going to areas for which they would have been relevant. However I would strongly recommend them if you are going to one of the areas in question. Get the guide well before you go and read it because just over half of each is essentially an introduction with sections on geology, history, habitats etc and then a section on the flora and fauna (and very much more than just birds too).

The other half is a guide to specific places (routes).  These are very much in the “Where to watch …” mode with indications of where to go and what you might see (and again not just birds). My only criticism is that the maps seem not that clear, although combined with the relevant text they suffice.The whole is completed with lots of photographs.

Book reviewed by Peter Lack