1) Hurben, Michael. The Physics of Birds and Birding: The Sounds, Colors and Movements of Birds, and Our Tools for Watching Them. 2025. Pelagic Publishing. Paperback: 240 pages. Price: $42.00 U.S.
Birding
has become one of the world’s most popular pastimes for good reason.
The vibrant colors, aerial finesse, and vocal talents of birds draw us
to nature, stimulate our admiration and pique our curiosity. We cannot
help but have questions as we encounter these elegant creatures. How do
iridescent feathers seemingly glow? What must a hummingbird do to hover?
How does a tiny animal produce all that music? By what means do some
birds sense Earth’s magnetic field and use it for navigation? Why is it
that peering through a few pieces of glass can make a distant bird seem
so close? Such inquiry brings us to the realm of physics.
The Physics of Birds and Birding
sets out to blaze the best possible trail through this landscape. It
steers clear complex technical specialization, while avoiding overused
paths that lead to unsatisfying, facile explanations. It is a guide not
just to the fascinating science of birds and birding, but to the deeper
connections that tie all of nature together. Birders and naturalists
from all backgrounds will find much of interest here – both in terms of
mysteries they’ve long wondered about, as well as some surprising
linkages among what is seemingly unrelated. This unique and remarkable
book is an invitation to appreciate what you might not have been seeing all along.
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-read for those with an interest in this topic.
2) Leckie, Seabrooke. Moths of Western North America. 2026. Princeton University Press. Flexibound: 682 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.
The
first photographic field guide to present the moths of western North
America as they are found in nature, making it easy to use for novices
and experts alike
Western North America is home to a
surprising array of moth species that come in a variety of colors and
sizes. This richly illustrated field guide covers 1,900 of the most
commonly occurring species in the region, from the United States–Mexico
border north to Edmonton, Alberta, and central British Columbia. Images
on the full-color plates are marked with arrows to help users quickly
know the most important features to look for, while facing-page species
accounts highlight these features and, when applicable, how they differ
from those of similar species. Whether you are a beginning moth
enthusiast or a seasoned observer in the field, Moths of Western North America is the ultimate photographic guide to these marvelous insects.
- Covers 1,900 of the most common species in western North America
- Features
more than 2,000 spectacular color photos of live specimens, at rest,
including examples of variations and sexual dimorphism where present
- Species
accounts describe key identification features and include information
on caterpillar host plants, the time of year in which adults may be
found, and the probability of encountering each species
- Includes a range map for each species
- Provides invaluable tips for newcomers on how to get started observing moths
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a MUST-HAVE for western moth-ers!3) Forbes, Dale et al.. Habitats of Europe: A Field Guide for Birders, Naturalists, and Ecologists. 2026. Princeton University Press. Flexibound: 432 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S.
Europe is a place of natural wonders, from the icy expanses of
the tundra to the arid beauty of deserts and the lush vibrancy of
rainforests. This illustrated guide covers all the continent’s major
habitats, providing an invaluable resource for understanding and
preserving its breathtaking landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife. Unlike
standard habitat classification systems that focus solely on plant
communities, Habitats of Europe
offers a unique approach to understanding habitats by combining animal
assemblages with descriptions of habitat structure, climate, soils, and
vegetation. Perfect for nature lovers and ecologists. Whether you’re a
seasoned ecologist or a curious nature lover, this one-of-a-kind field
guide will inspire you to explore and protect the rich biodiversity of
Europe.
- Features engaging, fact-filled descriptions of 56 major habitats
- Includes a wealth of climate graphs, silhouettes, and breathtaking color photos
- Presents
an easy-to-use system for assessing and understanding
habitats—developed in collaboration with experts in conservation,
birding, and tour guiding
- Encourages the reader to look beyond individual species and understand the intricate interactions that define each ecosystem
- Makes habitat science accessible to a wider audience, enticing the reader to discover more about the continent and its ecology
- An ideal travel companion for birders, naturalists, and wildlife enthusiasts
- The go-to reference for conservation organizations, ecologists, and policymakers
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for those with an interest in the region's habitats! 4) Smallshire, Dave and Andy Swash. Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland. Fifth Edition: Fully revised and updated. 2025. Princeton University Press. Flexibound: 240 pages. Price: $25.95 U.S.
Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland
is the only comprehensive photographic field guide to the damselflies
and dragonflies of the region. Written by two of Britain’s foremost dragonfly experts, this fully revised and updated fifth edition features
hundreds of stunning images and identification charts covering all 58
resident, migrant and former breeding species, and seven potential
vagrants. The book focuses on the identification of both adults and
larvae, highlighting the key features. Detailed species profiles provide
concise information on identification, status and trend, distribution,
flight period, behaviour, breeding habitat, and population and
conservation. Other sections cover biology and ecology; watching,
photographing, recording and monitoring dragonflies; conservation status
and legislation; and introduced exotic species.
This redesigned, updated and expanded edition features:
- Beautiful
colour plates showing males, females, immatures and all colour forms
for every species, annotated to highlight key identification features
- More than 600 stunning photographs (100 more than in the previous edition), 353 of which are new, and 550 illustrations
- Up-to-date species profiles, distribution maps and status information
- Detailed, easy-to-use identification charts for adults and larvae
- An annotated checklist of the 58 species recorded to date
RECOMMENDATION: This book is a must-have for those with an interest in the region's dragonflies and damselflies.
