RSPB Pocket Guide to British Birds

This book may be small but packs quite a punch – more than 300 species of bird are covered. Each species account gives you illustrations (especially good for waders where the images used highlight key id features), ‘key features’ to look for with explanations about how to identify the species, short descriptions of song and call, where to see the bird and a brief summary of movements and population. It’s like a condensed version of the RSPB’s excellent Handbook of British Birds.

There are some really nice touches here – there is a coloured label by the name of each species giving the birds status according to the Birds of Conservation Concern categories of Amber-, Green-, or Red-listed. It’s also very helpful that there are ‘ID Pitfalls’ where potential confusion species are listed, and the differences explained. This will be especially useful for the improving birder!

First published in 2022, the maps are as up-to-date as you might hope for. Some species like Nuthatch and Little Egret are expanding north rapidly, and populations of birds like Cranes, Storks, and White-tailed Eagles are being assisted by reintroductions. This is all explained in the text.

A pocket guide will always have to compromise on the level of detail they can give to each species. I think this book finds the right balance here. At only £7.99 it’s nice to think that this book might be found in car glove boxes, jacket pockets and thousands of rucksacks across the UK.

Book reviewed by Steve Willis