Best Birdwatching Sites: North Wales
By Alan Davis and Owen Roberts
"..... it will be a useful addition to your car's glove box."
THIS BOOK was first published in 2007 and is written by two very experienced birders. Alan Davies is a Welshman, born near Conwy, and is a partner in Birdline Wales. He has worked for the RSPB for many years. Owen Roberts is a Mancunian who worked in Wales before retiring to Pembrokeshire and then moving back to the north-west of England. The book covers 59 birdwatching sites; the 59th (Wrexham area) includes eleven sub-sites.
It starts with a section the authors have called, "Your birding year in north Wales". It gives a month-by-month summary of the species most likely to be seen, a handy section to help plan a birding trip. There is then a useful list of which sites are wheelchair accessible, which are partly accessible and which are accessible by public transport. Each of the sites then has two or three pages devoted to it. There is a detailed map of the site as well as a small map showing its location.
After a brief general introduction to the site there follows a list of target birds. This list also shows the likelihood of seeing each bird, in percentages. This is followed by another list, birds that may be seen and in what season. The authors then go on to give some background information and useful tips. The tips include useful snippets such as, "The small creek can hold Water Rail in winter and the occasional Little Egret at any time of year". There are also a number of excellent black-and-white drawings that liven up some of the pages.
A side panel on the first page for each site gives information such as access information, local toilets and whether you should wear boots etc.: a handy easy-to-see-at-a-glance panel. Towards the end of the book they have placed definitions, useful contacts and glossary/birdspeak. The authors then go on to explain some Welsh pronunciations followed by common Welsh words. A list of bird names in English and Welsh is very useful. The final section is a complete list of north Welsh birds, complete with a couple of tick-boxes for each one. On the inside back cover is a map of all the sites.
This book is laid out in an easy-to-read format and is full of useful information. There is a variety of sites, large and small, coastal, moorland and woodland. Having visited a number of the sites during the last few months I can say that the information appears to be all up to date. The book shows that north Wales has a great deal to offer the birder, whether novice or more experienced, and will be a useful addition to your car's glove box. It will certainly be in mine as I go on trips around my wonderful adopted country.
Brian Sherwin (BirdGuides website)
.................................................
"I have no hesitation in recommending the guide and declaring it top in its field."
PREVIOUS titles in this series have been widely praised, not least by my own reviews. Moreover, they usually include information on public transport links and disability access which you will know is close to my heart. This latest guide is out of that same mould and continues to keep up the good work. I am impressed that ALL sites have been evaluated for wheelchair access and often readers are told if watching from a car is worthwhile.
This latest volume spotlights the top localities in Gwynedd and Clywd that have much to offer the visiting birder with both great general birding and several species very hard to see elsewhere. From the hanging oak woodlands full of spring birdsong to the moors and mountains with Black Grouse, Merlin and Hen Harriers. The Dee estuary offers thousands of waders and Anglesey is unrivaled for nesting seabirds.
The authors have plenty of experience as Alan Davies has been warden of an RSPB reserve and leading light of Birdline, and Owen Roberts leads bird tours. They are, therefore, well placed to describe the attractions of these 58 sites and give tips on how and when to find those special birds.
Once more the layout, printing, colour choices and excellent maps that distinguish this series are present. Once more I have no hesitation in recommending the guide and declaring it top in its field.
Bo Beolens (fatbirder website)
.............................................
A COMPREHENSIVE, light-weight and accurate guide. A must for all those intending birding in North Wales.
Dan Brown (Birding World)
.......................................
"Sets the standard for site guides in my opinion."
NOT BEING a big fan of the Where to Watch Birds in Wales book I thought that I'd give this book a go. I saw it on the internet and bought it without really having a chance to examine its contents. A bit of a risk but one that I'm glad that I took. I love this book.
There are a few pages of introduction, covering such topics as why this book is better than most other site guides, a review of the birding year in North Wales and how to use the site guide pages. Then it gets down to business.
In all there are 59 sites reviewed, although the last one 'Wrexham Area' actually covers a few sites in one group. Inside the back cover is a map clearly pinpointing each sites location. Each site is covered by at least two pages of information and more in some cases. It gives a brief introduction to each site explaining why it is a good birdwatching site. Next it lists the target species of the site. This is a really great feature as it not only list the most interesting species but what season they occur and, most importantly, what percentage chance you have of seeing them. As the book points out, in the introduction pages, most guides list birds like Merlin but just because a Merlin flies through once a day for breakfast doesn't mean you are going to see it. So if the book says that the target for a site is a Common Redstart with a 100% chance of seeing them, that means you are pretty much guaranteed to see that species. If it says 20% then the chances are not so good but at least you won't have unrealistic expectations when setting out.
After the target species, it lists other possible species by season. Then there is another great little section entitled 'Background information and birding tips'. This is fantastic. It gives access details, often a suggested route and pinpoints where to look out for your target species. This is usually accompanied by a map indicating the key places mentioned in the text.
This is a super little book. The authors should be justly proud of their work. Sets the standard for site guides in my opinion. Other guides in the series have been published covering the Highlands, Sussex and Norfolk. Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, Dorset and Yorkshire are currently being prepared. I'm looking forward to more of this standard covering Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Of course, what the guide doesn't tell you is what your chances of photographing a particular species but I guess that would be asking just a little too much for now. Maybe the 2nd edition!
Steve Oakes (Worldbirds.co.uk website)
...........................................................
Reader reviews on Amazon
Excellent book
By IDP on 10 May 2013
This is an excellent book containing local knowledge that must have taken years to acquire. I recently spent a week on Anglesey and used this book to identify 2 or 3 different sites to visit each day resulting in visits to excellent sites I would not have known about. There are maps, directions to parking and lists of target birds for each site a different times of year.
An excellent guidebook
By Mr. C. Hughes on 6 July 2013
This is a concise and yet detailed guidebook to well-known and lesser-known sites in North Wales good for birdwatching. Access details and species lists are accurate and up-to-date. Well recommended.
By John Jenkins on 23 Sept. 2013
I live in North Wales and know most of the sites but there were quite a few new ones in this book. Of those that I did know I learnt a lot more about. Covers access, best times to visit and a whole lot of very practical and knowledgeable information. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in birds who is visiting or lives in North Wales.
Welsh birding
By Chris Probert on 31 Dec. 2013
I love it. A 'must have' book for birders - clear guide with target birds: what to expect and when.
THIS BOOK was first published in 2007 and is written by two very experienced birders. Alan Davies is a Welshman, born near Conwy, and is a partner in Birdline Wales. He has worked for the RSPB for many years. Owen Roberts is a Mancunian who worked in Wales before retiring to Pembrokeshire and then moving back to the north-west of England. The book covers 59 birdwatching sites; the 59th (Wrexham area) includes eleven sub-sites.
It starts with a section the authors have called, "Your birding year in north Wales". It gives a month-by-month summary of the species most likely to be seen, a handy section to help plan a birding trip. There is then a useful list of which sites are wheelchair accessible, which are partly accessible and which are accessible by public transport. Each of the sites then has two or three pages devoted to it. There is a detailed map of the site as well as a small map showing its location.
After a brief general introduction to the site there follows a list of target birds. This list also shows the likelihood of seeing each bird, in percentages. This is followed by another list, birds that may be seen and in what season. The authors then go on to give some background information and useful tips. The tips include useful snippets such as, "The small creek can hold Water Rail in winter and the occasional Little Egret at any time of year". There are also a number of excellent black-and-white drawings that liven up some of the pages.
A side panel on the first page for each site gives information such as access information, local toilets and whether you should wear boots etc.: a handy easy-to-see-at-a-glance panel. Towards the end of the book they have placed definitions, useful contacts and glossary/birdspeak. The authors then go on to explain some Welsh pronunciations followed by common Welsh words. A list of bird names in English and Welsh is very useful. The final section is a complete list of north Welsh birds, complete with a couple of tick-boxes for each one. On the inside back cover is a map of all the sites.
This book is laid out in an easy-to-read format and is full of useful information. There is a variety of sites, large and small, coastal, moorland and woodland. Having visited a number of the sites during the last few months I can say that the information appears to be all up to date. The book shows that north Wales has a great deal to offer the birder, whether novice or more experienced, and will be a useful addition to your car's glove box. It will certainly be in mine as I go on trips around my wonderful adopted country.
Brian Sherwin (BirdGuides website)
.................................................
"I have no hesitation in recommending the guide and declaring it top in its field."
PREVIOUS titles in this series have been widely praised, not least by my own reviews. Moreover, they usually include information on public transport links and disability access which you will know is close to my heart. This latest guide is out of that same mould and continues to keep up the good work. I am impressed that ALL sites have been evaluated for wheelchair access and often readers are told if watching from a car is worthwhile.
This latest volume spotlights the top localities in Gwynedd and Clywd that have much to offer the visiting birder with both great general birding and several species very hard to see elsewhere. From the hanging oak woodlands full of spring birdsong to the moors and mountains with Black Grouse, Merlin and Hen Harriers. The Dee estuary offers thousands of waders and Anglesey is unrivaled for nesting seabirds.
The authors have plenty of experience as Alan Davies has been warden of an RSPB reserve and leading light of Birdline, and Owen Roberts leads bird tours. They are, therefore, well placed to describe the attractions of these 58 sites and give tips on how and when to find those special birds.
Once more the layout, printing, colour choices and excellent maps that distinguish this series are present. Once more I have no hesitation in recommending the guide and declaring it top in its field.
Bo Beolens (fatbirder website)
.............................................
A COMPREHENSIVE, light-weight and accurate guide. A must for all those intending birding in North Wales.
Dan Brown (Birding World)
.......................................
"Sets the standard for site guides in my opinion."
NOT BEING a big fan of the Where to Watch Birds in Wales book I thought that I'd give this book a go. I saw it on the internet and bought it without really having a chance to examine its contents. A bit of a risk but one that I'm glad that I took. I love this book.
There are a few pages of introduction, covering such topics as why this book is better than most other site guides, a review of the birding year in North Wales and how to use the site guide pages. Then it gets down to business.
In all there are 59 sites reviewed, although the last one 'Wrexham Area' actually covers a few sites in one group. Inside the back cover is a map clearly pinpointing each sites location. Each site is covered by at least two pages of information and more in some cases. It gives a brief introduction to each site explaining why it is a good birdwatching site. Next it lists the target species of the site. This is a really great feature as it not only list the most interesting species but what season they occur and, most importantly, what percentage chance you have of seeing them. As the book points out, in the introduction pages, most guides list birds like Merlin but just because a Merlin flies through once a day for breakfast doesn't mean you are going to see it. So if the book says that the target for a site is a Common Redstart with a 100% chance of seeing them, that means you are pretty much guaranteed to see that species. If it says 20% then the chances are not so good but at least you won't have unrealistic expectations when setting out.
After the target species, it lists other possible species by season. Then there is another great little section entitled 'Background information and birding tips'. This is fantastic. It gives access details, often a suggested route and pinpoints where to look out for your target species. This is usually accompanied by a map indicating the key places mentioned in the text.
This is a super little book. The authors should be justly proud of their work. Sets the standard for site guides in my opinion. Other guides in the series have been published covering the Highlands, Sussex and Norfolk. Cornwall and the Scilly Isles, Dorset and Yorkshire are currently being prepared. I'm looking forward to more of this standard covering Cheshire, Lancashire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.
Of course, what the guide doesn't tell you is what your chances of photographing a particular species but I guess that would be asking just a little too much for now. Maybe the 2nd edition!
Steve Oakes (Worldbirds.co.uk website)
...........................................................
Reader reviews on Amazon
Excellent book
By IDP on 10 May 2013
This is an excellent book containing local knowledge that must have taken years to acquire. I recently spent a week on Anglesey and used this book to identify 2 or 3 different sites to visit each day resulting in visits to excellent sites I would not have known about. There are maps, directions to parking and lists of target birds for each site a different times of year.
An excellent guidebook
By Mr. C. Hughes on 6 July 2013
This is a concise and yet detailed guidebook to well-known and lesser-known sites in North Wales good for birdwatching. Access details and species lists are accurate and up-to-date. Well recommended.
By John Jenkins on 23 Sept. 2013
I live in North Wales and know most of the sites but there were quite a few new ones in this book. Of those that I did know I learnt a lot more about. Covers access, best times to visit and a whole lot of very practical and knowledgeable information. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in birds who is visiting or lives in North Wales.
Welsh birding
By Chris Probert on 31 Dec. 2013
I love it. A 'must have' book for birders - clear guide with target birds: what to expect and when.