An initial vote from each of the judges determined the shortlist, with 11 of the 45 eligible titles going forward to the second round. The final vote took place in mid December, with the usual lively discussion and debate between the judges before they cast their votes to determine the winning title. It was tight at the top, with just a few points separating the winner from second and third place.

This book about vagrancy - a potentially dense and academic subject - offers something for all birders and ornithologists, from birdwatchers and rarity seekers to conservationists studying habitat loss. As a result of its wide appeal, the judges recognised this title as one of the most useful titles of 2022. This year, Hazel McCambridge, Maria Farooqi and Jenna Woodford represented BTO on the judging panel, while Paul French, Sarah Harris and Stephen Menzie represented British Birds.

Just the thing for parents who want to get their children interested in birds and birding. A well-written, clearly illustrated guide which covers 130 of the birds you are most likely to see on family outings. As a bonus, the authors include some really excellent advice on getting started as a birder: including details of books and binoculars, where and when to go. I wish this guide had been around when I began birding! Unlike both Collins Bird Guide and the RSPB Handbook of British Birds, Britain’s Birds, published by Princeton University Press, contains photos rather than illustrations. Those minor criticisms aside, if you want a truly comprehensive bird book that covers British and European species, then the Collins should be top of your shopping list!

The information on each species isn’t quite as thorough as that in the RSPB Handbook, but the identification tips are extremely good. That, combined with the high quality of the photos, means Britain’s Birds will prove highly useful both in the field and at home as you study in readiness for your next birding adventure.

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The judges were particularly impressed by the way Vagrancy in Birds presents theories and observations in an easily accessible way. They also felt that the title communicates the importance of vagrancy to a range of ornithological phenomena, from the formation of new migration routes to speciation. An impressive amount of research is included in the family-by-family section, covering extralimital species records, and theories and observations about vagrancy in the given family. That said, the photos in Britain’s Birds are consistently excellent and you really are given a good idea of what a bird looks like in ‘real life’. If you prefer illustrations to photos, and want a bird guide that covers only British species, then the RSPB Handbook of British Birds would be an excellent choice. My older sister owned this and the Observer’s Book of Birds. I loved both and still do. I find myself drawn to things that are the same, but different. Birds and eggs, for instance; but there’s a greater degree of difference between birds than between their eggs. The eggs of the buzzard and the sandwich tern are much more alike than the buzzard and the sandwich tern. It’s largely a question of scale. The RSPB Handbook only covers bird species seen in Britain, which is definitely a plus for someone just getting into birding; the Collins can seem a bit overwhelming!

With over 300 bird species in Britain alone, we are spoilt with the amount of wildlife that is right on our doorstep. Hardcover. Condition: Good. Tall 8vo (240x150 mm), Six volumes, a good, decorative uniform set in contemporary half brown morocco with corners, gilt spines with double titles and raised bands, gilt with fillets in compartments, marbled paper on boards, the same paper used for pastedowns and flyleaves, coloured edges with the same marbled pattern. A complete set illustrated with 358 finely coloured engravings by Benjamin Fawcett. Occasional, very light marginal foxing here and there, A FINE, VERY CLEAN COPY WITHOUT UNDERLININGS OR MANUSCRIPT/PENCILLED NOTES IN THE TEXT. Engraved bookplate of George Becher Blomfield on pastedown of each volume. VOL. I, (1863): A plate (Griffon vulture) as frontispiece, pp. iv for content (apparently missing the preface), pp. 364 with 60 coloured engravings (incl. front) w/tissue guards. VOL II (1863), a plate (Wryneca) as frontispiece, pp. iv, pp. 360 with 60 coloured engravings (incl. front.) w/tissue guards. VOL. III (1864) a plate (Starling) as frontispiece, pp. iv, pp. 391, 1 bl. with 59 coloured engravings (incl. front.) w/tissue guards. VOL. IV (1862) a plate (Great Bustard) as frontispiece, pp. iv, pp. 330 with 62 coloured engravings (incl. front.) w/tissue guards. VOL V (1863) a plate (Land-rail) as frontispiece, pp. iv, pp. 315, 1bl. with 57 coloured engravings (incl. front.) w/tissue guards. VOL. VI (1857) a plate (Great Norther Diver) as frontispiece, pp. iv, pp. 290 with 60 coloured engravings (incl. front.) w/tissue guards. A new lay-flat binding has also been used, creating easier access to the species accounts at home or in the field.It is always great to know a little bit more about the birds visiting your garden. Browse a selection of the best British bird identification books to help you recognise the different species in your local area. Britain’s Birds (Second Edition) Whenever I want to re-enter the avian world, whether inside or outside my head, these are on my list. By Alexander Lees and James Gilroy; Helm, 2022; reviewed in BBby Martin Collinson ( Brit. Birds115: 231–232) and for BTO by Paul Stancliffe. There are a lot of different bird identification books available and they do vary in quality and the amount of detail they provide.

As Martin Collinson put it in his review of this title, ‘This book makes the case that vagrancy in birds matters.’ Indeed, the judges were impressed by the easily accessible way that this title presented theories on vagrancy – and its importance to a host of ornithological events, from the formation of new migration routes to speciation, as vagrants create new populations on isolated islands that eventually evolve into new species. There is also an impressive amount of research summarised in the family-by-family section, which discusses extralimital records of various species as well as detailing interesting theories and observations on the vagrancy tendencies of birds in the given family. This book offers something for all birders and ornithologists, from rarity hunters to conservationists studying habitat loss, and was, therefore, recognised by the judges as being one of the most useful titles of 2022. Being able to identify the birds visiting your garden will help you know what bird food to put out, where to put it and if they need anything extra depending on the time of year. Alongside artworks depicting all common plumages, the detailed text describes each bird's behaviour, habitat, voice, breeding biology, longevity and seasonal movements, as well as other useful information. The guide also includes UK population trends and up-to-date distribution maps.The RSPB Handbook of British Birds contains information on over 300 species that can be seen in Britain.