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Where the Birds are in Northeast Spain

Where the Birds are in Northeast Spain by Steve West Illustrated by Ernest Leahy [Published by Steve West] ISBN 8460915999 http://geocities.com/westvidal/book.html available from Subbuteo Books

… whatever your reason for being in the area, Take This Book!

This guide has 26 colour photos of some of the best scenery in the region; 28 site maps for the most frequently cited areas; regional location maps for most species; 114 species treated in depth, with introductory texts describing migratory calendar, habitat, status and general distribution; this is followed by directions to the most suitable sites for observing each species; introductory chapters on language, maps, accommodation, timing and conservation. There is also a complete regional checklist with general status; an additional species section dealing with a further 44 species of possible interest.

The author says that the main strength of the book lies in its basic approach, centred on the most interesting species from a visiting birder's point of view, rather than on the main sites – and I agree 100%. When you are planning a trip, or even if you just happen to find yourself there on business or a family holiday you are far less likely to look up the local birding hot spots than to see if there are any species about that you particularly want to see. This is not just about adding to your life list, its also about going to the places where you will see birds you want to study or which you do not see often at home etc. As the author says on his website Thereby the reader can directly seek out the species that he/she most wants to see, rather than sifting through a lot of general information in search of useful snippets or broad indications which can often be far from practical in the field. Furthermore, the wide selection of locations well distributed throughout the region, many of which have received scant or no attention from previous publications, invites the curious birder to venture off the beaten track and to savour the more unique experience of finding the birds for himself.

He goes on to say: In other words, Where the birds are in northeast Spain is a practical birding guide to the region, an exciting area with a great variety of birds and landscapes. If you are on a short visit to Barcelona or Zaragoza, and perhaps can squeeze in a day's birding? Take this book. Planning a family holiday somewhere along the coast of Catalunya, or trekking/touring the Pyrenees? Take this book. Planning a birding trip of between 3 and 14 days in the region? Coming with a list of your ten most-wanted species? Signed up for an organised bird tour to the area? Take this book. And I agree with him. In fact, whatever your reason for being in the area, Take This Book! It is a very nicely presented and portable book, concisely written and nicely illustrated with easy to follow maps [although the addition of a key would be good] and a logical presentation too.

Fatbirder

Created: 23rd Jun 2005