In 1973, after answering an ad in the Construction News, Colin Bird finds himself flying to the sub-tropical island of Bermuda on a two-year work contract, excited but unsure of what he will find. Colin is blown away by the beauty of the island, with its pristine pink sand beaches and white roofed, pastel-coloured houses set amongst a riot of spectacular flora. With no grinding poverty, he soon realises that Bermuda is as close to paradise as it can possibly get - a view that is only underlined by the high standard of living made possible thanks to generous tax-free salaries. He discovers that there are many other young expat workers on the island, and he settles quickly into his new surroundings, becoming immersed in the frenetic bar, beach, and party scene. With close friendships that will last a lifetime, overactive love lives, and a dedication to the support of the distillery industry – particularly in the production of rum, Meet Me at Elbow Beach is a personal account of the adventures of a group of people in a place that was perfect for indulging in life’s pleasures.
In 1973, after answering an ad in the Construction News, Colin Bird finds himself flying to the sub-tropical island of Bermuda on a two-year work contract, excited but unsure of what he will find. Colin is blown away by the beauty of the island, with its pristine pink sand beaches and white roofed, pastel-coloured houses set amongst a riot of spectacular flora. With no grinding poverty, he soon realises that Bermuda is as close to paradise as it can possibly get - a view that is only underlined by the high standard of living made possible thanks to generous tax-free salaries. He discovers that there are many other young expat workers on the island, and he settles quickly into his new surroundings, becoming immersed in the frenetic bar, beach, and party scene. With close friendships that will last a lifetime, overactive love lives, and a dedication to the support of the distillery industry – particularly in the production of rum, Meet Me at Elbow Beach is a personal account of the adventures of a group of people in a place that was perfect for indulging in life’s pleasures.
The pigeon is the quintessential city bird. Domesticated thousands of years ago as a messenger and a source of food, its presence on our sidewalks is so common that people consider the bird a nuisance—if they notice it at all. Yet pigeons are also kept for pleasure, sport, and profit by people all over the world, from the “pigeon wars” waged by breeding enthusiasts in the skies over Brooklyn to the Million Dollar Pigeon Race held every year in South Africa. Drawing on more than three years of fieldwork across three continents, Colin Jerolmack traces our complex and often contradictory relationship with these versatile animals in public spaces such as Venice’s Piazza San Marco and London’s Trafalgar Square and in working-class and immigrant communities of pigeon breeders in New York and Berlin. By exploring what he calls “the social experience of animals,” Jerolmack shows how our interactions with pigeons offer surprising insights into city life, community, culture, and politics. Theoretically understated and accessible to interested readers of all stripes, The Global Pigeon is one of the best and most original ethnographies to be published in decades.
• How are birds so good at flying and navigating? • Why are birds so like mammals– and yet so very different? • Did birds descend from dinosaurs, and if so, does that mean birds are dinosaurs? • How do they court each other and fend off rivals? • What' s being communicated in birdsong? • Can we ever know how birds think? In this fascinating exploration of the avian class, Colin Tudge considers the creatures of the air. From their evolutionary roots to their flying, feeding, fighting, mating, nesting, and communicating, Tudge provocatively ponders what birds actually do–as well as why they do it and how. With the same curiosity, passion, and insight he brought to redwoods, pines, and palm trees in his widely acclaimed book The Tree, Tudge here studies sparrows, parrots, and even the Monkey-eating Eagle to better understand their world–and our own. There is far more to a bird's existence than gliding gracefully on air currents or chirping sweetly from fence posts–the stakes are life and death. By observing and explaining the complex strategy that comes into play with everything from migration to social interaction to the timing of giving birth to young, Tudge reveals how birds are uniquely equipped biologically to succeed and survive. And he offers an impassioned plea for humans to learn to coexist with birds without continuing to endanger their survival. Complete with an "annotated cast list" of all the known birds in the world– plus gorgeous illustrations–The Bird is a comprehensive and delightfully accessible guide for everyone from dedicated birders to casual birdwatchers that celebrates and illuminates the remarkable lives of birds.
My work involves communication of spirit beyond this realm. I believe this work to be influenced by that of automatic writing. The poems will excite, embrace and intrigue you encouraging you to read the poems over and over again. Some of my work involves the acrostic method of poetry, this was used by the ancient Sumerians who used this method to reveal a message by reading each first letter of each line of the poem down the page to relay the message to far away lands. By capturing the story or 'rather' the essential information within the poem itself, made the ordeal of relaying the message far more easier for those in ancient times. I did not know I was actually writing in the acrostic way until someone prompted and told me of the Sumerians. I can tell you this, when I researched acrostic methods and the history of acrostic poetry... and then realised my work was indeed very similar, the goose flesh almost confirmed the origin and the era of my spiritual guides. Author, Colin Bird. Enjoy.
This book challenges us to look at liberal political ideas in a fresh way. Colin Bird examines the assumption, held both by liberals and by their strongest critics, that the values and ideals of the liberal political tradition cohere around a distinctively 'individualist' conception of the relation between individuals, society and the state. He concludes that the formula of 'liberal individualism' conceals fundamental conflicts between liberal views of these relations, conflicts that neither liberals nor their critics have adequately recognized. His interesting and provocative study develops a powerful criticism of the libertarian forms of 'liberal individualism' which have risen to prominence, and suggests that by taking this term for granted, theorists have exaggerated the unity and integrity of liberal political ideals and limited our perception of the issues they raise.
All animals are equal - but some, as George Orwell said, are more equal than others, and birds, most people would surely agree, are in the very first rank. They can do almost everything that mammals can do - and more. By mastering flight, they have a way of living that encompasses the whole world. In The Secret Life of Birds, Colin Tudge explores the life of birds, all around the globe. From the secrets of migration to their complicated family lives, their differing habitats and survival techniques to the secrets of flight, this is a fascinating account of how birds live, why they matter, and whether they really are dinosaurs. Colin Tudge shows how birds - who are like us in the general sense but very different in the particulars - live and think. For birds have minds: they feel, they are aware, they work things out. And so, by considering the birds, asking how and why it is possible for them to be so different, we gain insight into ourselves. Birds are beautiful, lively, intriguing - and all around us. This rich and endlessly absorbing book opens up their lives to everyone.
In Birds of a Feather, an informative and beautifully illustrated book, Colin Rees and Derek Thomas portray the changing seasons in the UK and US, bringing their observations together with some startling results. With images by artists Robert Gillmor and Ian Rees, the book will appeal to anyone with an interest in birds and their future in North America and the UK. Exploding flocks of Snow Geese rising from icy fields; the arrival of the osprey; the harmonies of the dawn chorus; migrating waders racing south before the surf – these are but a few moments evoking the sights, sounds and colours of the passing seasons observed and recorded over a year by two experienced ornithologists living on both sides of the Atlantic. In the context of their gardens, neighbourhoods and in larger landscapes, Colin Rees and Derek Thomas provide a month by month account of their birding year, commenting upon what they see and hear. They also consider how our world is radically changing the lives of birds. Birds of a Feather celebrates the gentle patter of raindrops, the scent and luminescence of spring, swallows of an evening and the first flight of young ospreys. They take the reader on walks through grasslands, forests, marshes, estuaries and along coasts and describe the effects of changing weather on flora and fauna, the unfolding of the breeding season, bird counts, the character of birders and bird organizations in the US and UK. They also address the challenge of conservation in the modern world. Over 45 million people consider themselves bird watchers in the US and 20 million watch birds in the UK making this book appealing to bird watchers on both sides of the Atlantic. Advanced praise for Birds of a Feather ‘The joys of the seasons are deep in our souls. Gilbert Whites classic The Natural History of Selborne shared his astute diaries of nature’s calendar. Edwin Way Teale’s acclaimed books on the American Seasons inspired a generation of naturalists on this side of the” pond”. Birds of a Feather now engages us in much the same way through the superior powers of observation and charming prose of two pals, here and there.’ – Frank Gill, formerly Philadelphia Academy of Sciences and Vice-President, Science, National Audubon Society. ‘Birds of a Feather is a poignant and moving reminder of how experiences of wildlife can grip the human soul and linger in our memories. Two friends thousands of miles apart share with us moments they will never forget. Their consciousness of, and love for, the natural world brings even the most unexpected places to life.’ – Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive The Wildlife Trusts. ‘This book will be a great read for birders from either side of the Atlantic who normally experience the birds of the “other side” through short trips during peak seasons. The book provides a flavour of the year-round diversity of species and habitats through the eyes of two experienced birders who understand how seasonal change drives the bird movements that make birding so much fun. The trans-Atlantic comparisons of two amazing birding locations throughout the year make this an even more compelling read.’ – Mike Parr, Vice President for Program Development, American Bird Conservancy ‘’The annual rhythms of nature provide a ceaseless flow of variety and change to our natural environment that stimulate and inspire us, wherever we live. Observing birds is surely one of the most engaging ways to enjoy the year’s natural cycle, with bird migrations each spring and autumn delivering the colour and sounds of the tropics and the Arctic directly to us. Birds of a Feather takes us, via delightful personal accounts, through the ornithological year on both sides of the Atlantic, juxtaposing the rich coastal plain of the Chesapeake Bay with the rocky coast, plains and mountains of South Wales. Along the way are valuable reminders that birds in both regions, and across the globe, are at risk from a similar array of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.’ – David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Maryland-DC ‘This delightful dialogue, back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrates that wildlife is a shared pleasure wherever we live.’ – Mark Avery, former Head of Conservation at RSPB, now a freelance environmental consultant and journalist. The book features illustrations by Robert Gillmor (cover art) and Ian Rees (interior illustrations) Robert Gillmor is an English artist, ornithologist and illustrator and one of the founders of the Society of Wildlife Artists of which he is a past president. He has contributed to over 100 books, is a 2001 recipient of the medal from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and his work is the subject of numerous museum collections. He recently designed seven sets of Royal Mail postage stamps and over many years has designed many of the book jackets for the New Naturalist Library in the U.K, published by Collins.
Birds fly very efficiently, doing little work themselves, and gaining large amounts of energy from the atmosphere. Whether on local flights or migration, they have the freedom to fly anywhere they please. It is because of this that scientists have long been fascinated with how birds remain the ultimate aviators. Birds Never Get Lost includes reports of how bird flight has been studied in laboratories, as well as by flying with them. It also provides a comprehensive background of what distinguishes birds from other flying animals, past and present, from bats to pterosaurs.
Wild birds are counted for a wide variety of reasons and by a bewildering array of methods. However, detailed descriptions of the techniques used and the rationale adopted are scattered in the literature, and the newcomer to bird census work or the experienced bird counter in search of a wider view, may well have difficulty in coming to grips with the subject as a whole. While not an end in itself, numerical and distributional census work is a fundamental part of many scientific and conservation studies, and one in which the application of given standards is vital if results are not to be distorted or applied in a misleading way. This book provides a concise guide to the various census techniques and to the opportunities and pitfalls which each entails. The common methods are described in detail, and illustrated through an abundance of diagrams showing examples of actual and theoretical census studies. Anyone with a bird census job to plan should be able to select the method best suited to the study at hand, and to apply it to best effect within the limits inherent in it and the constraints of the particular study. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology have for many years pioneered the collaboration of amateurs and professionals in various census studies. Three members of their staff, each with extensive field experience, now pool the knowledge of these investigations to lay the groundwork for sound census work in future years.
An authoritative guide to the birds of Cyprus. Cyprus is a great place for birding, and one of the most popular places for birders to visit in Europe. It holds populations of a number of regional scarcities that are very hard to see elsewhere, plus a number of endemic subspecies, and the jewels in the crown – three full endemics, Cyprus Wheatear, Cyprus Scops Owl and Cyprus Warbler, the latter of which graces the jacket of this new Helm field guide to the island. Detailed plates are allied to concise identification text, with accurate maps stemming from Colin Richardson's decades-long programme of population-mapping on the island. Together, these elements make this the definitive guide to Cyprus's birds, one that no visitor to this beautiful island can be without.
Wild birds are counted for a wide variety of reasons and by a bewildering array of methods. However, detailed descriptions of the techniques used and the rationale adopted are scattered in the literature, and the newcomer to bird census work or the experienced bird counter in search of a wider view, may well have difficulty in coming to grips with the subject as a whole. While not an end in itself, numerical and distributional census work is a fundamental part of many scientific and conservation studies, and one in which the application of given standards is vital if results are not to be distorted or applied in a misleading way. This book provides a concise guide to the various census techniques and to the opportunities and pitfalls which each entails. The common methods are described in detail, and illustrated through an abundance of diagrams showing examples of actual and theoretical census studies. Anyone with a bird census job to plan should be able to select the method best suited to the study at hand, and to apply it to best effect within the limits inherent in it and the constraints of the particular study. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Trust for Ornithology have for many years pioneered the collaboration of amateurs and professionals in various census studies. Three members of their staff, each with extensive field experience, now pool the knowledge of these investigations to lay the groundwork for sound census work in future years.
• How are birds so good at flying and navigating? • Why are birds so like mammals– and yet so very different? • Did birds descend from dinosaurs, and if so, does that mean birds are dinosaurs? • How do they court each other and fend off rivals? • What' s being communicated in birdsong? • Can we ever know how birds think? In this fascinating exploration of the avian class, Colin Tudge considers the creatures of the air. From their evolutionary roots to their flying, feeding, fighting, mating, nesting, and communicating, Tudge provocatively ponders what birds actually do–as well as why they do it and how. With the same curiosity, passion, and insight he brought to redwoods, pines, and palm trees in his widely acclaimed book The Tree, Tudge here studies sparrows, parrots, and even the Monkey-eating Eagle to better understand their world–and our own. There is far more to a bird's existence than gliding gracefully on air currents or chirping sweetly from fence posts–the stakes are life and death. By observing and explaining the complex strategy that comes into play with everything from migration to social interaction to the timing of giving birth to young, Tudge reveals how birds are uniquely equipped biologically to succeed and survive. And he offers an impassioned plea for humans to learn to coexist with birds without continuing to endanger their survival. Complete with an "annotated cast list" of all the known birds in the world– plus gorgeous illustrations–The Bird is a comprehensive and delightfully accessible guide for everyone from dedicated birders to casual birdwatchers that celebrates and illuminates the remarkable lives of birds.
This report considers the signifiance of corridors for high priority bird species within the development of Pan-European Ecological Network. This involves a brief review of existing research and policy, the testing of recent corridor ideas and typologies, the application of these ideas to fifteen birds "species of European Conservation Concern" and discussion of the next steps for research and policy development.
Cyprus is a great place of birding, and one of the most popular places for birders to visit in Europe. It holds populations of a number of regional scarcities that are very hard to see elsewhere, plus a number of endemic subspecies, and the two jewels in the crown – two full endemics, Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler, the latter of which graces the jacket of this new Helm field guide to the island. Detailed plates are allied to concise identification text, with accurate maps stemming from Colin Richardson's decades-long programme of population-mapping on the island. Together, these elements make this the definitive guide to Cyprus's birds, one that no visitor to this beautiful island can be without.
All animals are equal - but some, as George Orwell said, are more equal than others, and birds, most people would surely agree, are in the very first rank. They can do almost everything that mammals can do - and more besides. By mastering flight, they have a way of living that encompasses the whole world. In Consider The Birds Colin Tudge explores the life of birds, all around the globe. From the secrets of migration to their complicated family lives, their differing habitats and survival techniques to the secrets of flight, this is a fascinating account of how birds live, why they matter, and whether they really are dinosaurs. Featuring birds who navigate using star-maps, tool-making crows and the great co-operation of the penguins, Colin Tudge shows how birds - who are like us in the general sense but very different in the particulars - live and think. For birds have minds: they feel, they are aware, they work things out. And so, by considering the birds, asking how and why it is possible for them to be so different, we gain insight into ourselves. Birds are beautiful, lively, intriguing - and all around us. This rich and endlessly absorbing book opens up their lives to everyone.
This book provides a thorough, species-by-species guide to the breeding biology of the birds of North America. Some 669 breeding species are described in full, covering a vast region, from the Arctic to the southern boundary of the continental United States. (Midwest).
In Birds of a Feather, an informative and beautifully illustrated book, Colin Rees and Derek Thomas portray the changing seasons in the UK and US, bringing their observations together with some startling results. With images by artists Robert Gillmor and Ian Rees, the book will appeal to anyone with an interest in birds and their future in North America and the UK. Exploding flocks of Snow Geese rising from icy fields; the arrival of the osprey; the harmonies of the dawn chorus; migrating waders racing south before the surf – these are but a few moments evoking the sights, sounds and colours of the passing seasons observed and recorded over a year by two experienced ornithologists living on both sides of the Atlantic. In the context of their gardens, neighbourhoods and in larger landscapes, Colin Rees and Derek Thomas provide a month by month account of their birding year, commenting upon what they see and hear. They also consider how our world is radically changing the lives of birds. Birds of a Feather celebrates the gentle patter of raindrops, the scent and luminescence of spring, swallows of an evening and the first flight of young ospreys. They take the reader on walks through grasslands, forests, marshes, estuaries and along coasts and describe the effects of changing weather on flora and fauna, the unfolding of the breeding season, bird counts, the character of birders and bird organizations in the US and UK. They also address the challenge of conservation in the modern world. Over 45 million people consider themselves bird watchers in the US and 20 million watch birds in the UK making this book appealing to bird watchers on both sides of the Atlantic. Advanced praise for Birds of a Feather ‘The joys of the seasons are deep in our souls. Gilbert Whites classic The Natural History of Selborne shared his astute diaries of nature’s calendar. Edwin Way Teale’s acclaimed books on the American Seasons inspired a generation of naturalists on this side of the” pond”. Birds of a Feather now engages us in much the same way through the superior powers of observation and charming prose of two pals, here and there.’ – Frank Gill, formerly Philadelphia Academy of Sciences and Vice-President, Science, National Audubon Society. ‘Birds of a Feather is a poignant and moving reminder of how experiences of wildlife can grip the human soul and linger in our memories. Two friends thousands of miles apart share with us moments they will never forget. Their consciousness of, and love for, the natural world brings even the most unexpected places to life.’ – Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive The Wildlife Trusts. ‘This book will be a great read for birders from either side of the Atlantic who normally experience the birds of the “other side” through short trips during peak seasons. The book provides a flavour of the year-round diversity of species and habitats through the eyes of two experienced birders who understand how seasonal change drives the bird movements that make birding so much fun. The trans-Atlantic comparisons of two amazing birding locations throughout the year make this an even more compelling read.’ – Mike Parr, Vice President for Program Development, American Bird Conservancy ‘’The annual rhythms of nature provide a ceaseless flow of variety and change to our natural environment that stimulate and inspire us, wherever we live. Observing birds is surely one of the most engaging ways to enjoy the year’s natural cycle, with bird migrations each spring and autumn delivering the colour and sounds of the tropics and the Arctic directly to us. Birds of a Feather takes us, via delightful personal accounts, through the ornithological year on both sides of the Atlantic, juxtaposing the rich coastal plain of the Chesapeake Bay with the rocky coast, plains and mountains of South Wales. Along the way are valuable reminders that birds in both regions, and across the globe, are at risk from a similar array of threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.’ – David Curson, Director of Bird Conservation, Audubon Maryland-DC ‘This delightful dialogue, back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrates that wildlife is a shared pleasure wherever we live.’ – Mark Avery, former Head of Conservation at RSPB, now a freelance environmental consultant and journalist. The book features illustrations by Robert Gillmor (cover art) and Ian Rees (interior illustrations) Robert Gillmor is an English artist, ornithologist and illustrator and one of the founders of the Society of Wildlife Artists of which he is a past president. He has contributed to over 100 books, is a 2001 recipient of the medal from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and his work is the subject of numerous museum collections. He recently designed seven sets of Royal Mail postage stamps and over many years has designed many of the book jackets for the New Naturalist Library in the U.K, published by Collins.
This report considers the signifiance of corridors for high priority bird species within the development of Pan-European Ecological Network. This involves a brief review of existing research and policy, the testing of recent corridor ideas and typologies, the application of these ideas to fifteen birds "species of European Conservation Concern" and discussion of the next steps for research and policy development.
Is there any bird as dishonest as the Fork-tailed Drongo? Did you know that the Tawny Eagle is an 'obligate Cainist'? And what of the irresistible-to-predators and highly cryptic Spotted Thick-knee? East Africa’s birds are extraordinary in their evolution, diversity and behaviour, often proving to be the unexpected highlight of a safari. Lavishly illustrated with beautiful photographs of each species, this book tells the fascinating, surprising, amusing stories of 101 regularly encountered birds – whether iconic or unjustly overlooked. In the process, the reader is introduced to ornithology in East Africa through the eyes of a passionate birder and professional ornithologist. Filling a niche between field guide and textbook, 101 Curious Tales of East African Birds offers a wealth of information, including insights on the evolution of birds, the distributions and migrations of species, bird adaptations and senses, their lifecycle, ecology and conservation, as well as cultural and historical associates – each collated and referenced with the latest scientific papers. The author's deep understanding of this region's avifauna ensures that there will be new and engaging material for all, whether you have a general interest in wildlife or are a dedicated birder.
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