A SPARROWHAWK’S LAMENT: How British birds of prey are faring

In this illuminating book, David Cobham brings the struggle that many of our birds of prey face living in the modern world into sharp focus.

All fifteen species that breed in the UK have their own account but the strength of the book comes as a result of meticulous research into the very latest population estimates and the historic background to current bird of prey distributions. The beauty of the book comes in David’s own encounters with our birds of prey, sometimes accidental, sometimes as a result of a lot of effort from both David and enlisted experts in the field.

The book is brought to life by Bruce Pearson’s beautiful illustrations, my personal favourite being the one showing Sparrowhawks migrating out of Sweden. If you are looking for an insightful, entertaining and in-depth look at Britain’s birds of prey, and where they are today, this book will take some beating.

Book reviewed by Paul Stancliffe