The Complete Guide to Patch Birding Making the Most of Your Local Area

About this book

The essential guide to getting the most out of birding in your local area.

For birdwatching thrills and excitement, why not look closer to home? You need not rely on hours of travel to reach remote locations – instead choose a local 'patch' that you can visit regularly. Cut out the car or unreliable public transport and become familiar with the resident and visiting birds that can be found in your chosen spot, their habits and behaviour, and the subtle changes that occur there throughout the seasons.

In The Complete Guide to Patch Birding, you'll find out how to make the most of local birding, including how to identify and pick a patch, the best times of day to try to find different birds, the essential kit, how to record sightings, understand the impact of weather, and how to find rare birds, as well as information about migration and breeding species.

Whether it's spotting a charm of goldfinches lighting up a gloomy January day, a robin gathering leaves and moss for its new nest in March, the uplifting sight of migratory swallows arriving to signify the start of summer, or hearing the call of young little owls on mild October nights, there are many joys to be had in simply watching and enjoying the birds on your doorstep. This practical guide contains all the information you need to get started.

Contents

Preface

The benefits of patch birding
Picking a patch or local area
Understanding time and weather
How to get the most out of your patch
Month-by-month calendar
Useful tools
Wellbeing

Glossary
Photo credits
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Ed Stubbs is the Deputy Editor of Birdwatch magazine and BirdGuides. Based in Surrey, birding has been part of his life since he was a child, with a passion for patch birding a constant throughout. He believes that endless excitement and learning can be had by birding close to home. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge, experience and advice in order to encourage and inspire others to embrace patch and local birding.