Many birders shy away from certain activities like sea-watching and seem to 'miss out' on some spectacular sights such as the migration of thousands of birds in the autumn because they find the birds too tricky to identify or haven't the field skills to get good views. This book will show birders of all levels how easy it can be. A Birdwatcher's Guide: Bird Identification and Fieldcraft aims to improve the skills of birders of all levels. Firstly, the book deals with identification and covers the approaches, explaining how to ID birds. It then moves on to a more advanced level, dealing with topics such as changing appearances throughout the year. Secondly, it turns its attention to fieldcraft, looking at specialist skills that all birders need and the birding year, providing details on what to do, what to look for and how to make the most of each season. Superb photos and artworks, many specially commissioned, beautifully illustrate the text. This book will offer invaluable information, hints and tips usually only gleaned through years of experience and very rarely found in print form.

Mark Ward is a freelance writer. He is a regular contributor to Birdwatch and Bird Watching magazines. He also writes features for The Wildlife Trusts' Natural World magazine and a monthly bird feature in Country Walking magazine. Mark lives in Cambridgeshire.