A Field Guide to Monitoring Nests

As a nest recorder seeking to learn a skill that has now been lost from the mainstream of ornithological fieldwork, this book has proven absolutely vital. Not only does it detail all responsible methods of nest-finding and when to apply them, but contains a simply astonishing range of individual observations – whether on narrowing the odds of watching a female Black Grouse to her nest, or the particular ways a Skylark hovers over a brood. These accumulate into an invaluable guide to this most daunting yet rewarding branch of fieldwork, and answer most of the questions posed to the inexperienced nest recorder. Everything from peak laying periods to favoured nesting locations is included, but the 'method' section is the most invaluable, providing precise and detailed advice on how to locate and study nesting birds. An absolute must for any fieldworker with an interest in breeding birds, whether novice or expert.

Book reviewed by Ben Macdonald