Watching Waterbirds with Kate Humble and Martin McGill: 100 birds ... in just one day!

by Kate Humble, Martin McGill

This book introduces some 75 species of wetland birds to readers through the eyes of Kate Humble. As she freely admits herself, Kate is still learning her birds, so to find out more she contacted Martin McGill of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to act as her guide. Their birdwatching sessions together form the basis of this book. As Kate learns the difference between a Canada Goose and a Barnacle Goose, which ducks dive and which ducks dabble, and how to tell apart those little brown jobs that warble from the reedbeds, so she passes on the information to the reader as she goes. The effect is not dissimilar to the Last Chance to See series, in which Mark Carwardine and Stephen Fry scour the world for endangered species.

The difference between Canada Geese and Barnacle Geese? Just remember that the C-anada goose has a C-hin-strap. The Teal is the Ziggy Stardust of the duck world, while the Shoveler feeds as though it's dropped its contact lenses.

Each species takes up approximately two pages, complete with photographs and illustrations to bring out the key identification and behavioural points. The birds are divided into simply titled groups - large waddling birds, little brown jobs, and so on. Other chapters in the book cover topics such as basic equipment, clothing, hide etiquette and more, each written for the beginner in Kate's style.

WWT Slimbridge (Glos), Arundel (Sussex), Wetland Centre (Barnes), Welney (Norfolk), Washington (Tyne & Wear), Caerlaverock (Dumfries), Martin Mere (Lancs), Llanelli (Wales), Castle Espie (N Ireland).

Genres: Wildlife, Nonfiction, Reference

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Karin Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beginner's guide to watching water birds. If you're looking for a comprehensive field guide this isn't the right book for you but as an enthusiastic introduction it's a winner. It divides birds into categories like " big swimming birds" "small waders " rather than scientific families so you can use it in the field based on appearance without prior knowledge. It's interspersed with chatty descriptions of the joy of bird watching which makes it a book you can actually read rather than just refer to. I think it could benefit from an index so you can find a particular bird by name more easily.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the subject I have read. I love the style of the book with the clear photographic illustrations and the easy to read yet really informative text. Kept seeing it on the bookshelves and in a visit to WWT Welney I bought it on impulse. So glad I did I love it. This will be a go to volume for me especially the section on wading birds.
I’ve been a birder for nearly 30yrs and I’m learning a lot from this. Highly recommend 🤗

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative guide written in a way that should appeal to both beginners and those with more experience