New Titles

1) Howell, Steve N. G. and Kirk Zufelt. Oceanic Birds of the World: A Photo Guide. 2019. Princeton University Press. Paperback: 360 pages. Price: $35.00 U.S. 
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: A state-of-the-art photographic field guide to the world's oceanic birds.
     Oceanic birds are among the most remarkable but least known of all birds, living at sea, far from the sight of most people. They offer unusual identification challenges―many species look similar and it can be difficult to get good views of fast-flying birds from a moving boat. The first field guide to the world's oceanic birds in more than two decades, this exciting and authoritative book draws on decades of firsthand experience on the open seas. It features clear text filled with original insights and new information and more than 2,200 carefully chosen color images that bring the ocean and its remarkable winged inhabitants to life. Never before have oceanic birds been presented in such an accessible and comprehensive way.
     The introduction discusses the many recent developments in seabird taxonomy, which are incorporated into the species accounts, and these accounts are arranged into groups that aid field identification. Each group and species complex has an introductory overview of its identification challenges, illustrated with clear comparative photos. The text describes flight manner, plumage variation related to age and molt, seasonal occurrence patterns, migration routes, and many other features.
     The result is an indispensable guide for exploring birding's last great frontier.

• A comprehensive, authoritative, and accessible guide to oceanic birds
• Covers more than 270 species
• Includes more than 2,200 color photos with concise captions noting key features
• Features careful species comparisons, overviews of the latest taxonomy, tips on how to observe and ID birds at sea, and much more

 RECOMMENDATION: A MUST have for all pelagic birders!

2) Newland, David et al.. Britain's Day-flying Moths: A Field Guide to the Day-flying Moths of Great Britain and Ireland, Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition. 2019. Princeton University Press. Paperback: 232 pages. Price: $23.95 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: A carefully designed and beautifully illustrated photographic guide to the moths you are most likely to see during the day.
     This concise photographic field guide helps you to identify the day-flying moths most likely to be seen in Great Britain and Ireland. It combines stunning photographs, clear and authoritative text and an easy-to-use design to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of these intriguing and often colourful insects. Like butterflies, some moths fly regularly in sunshine, whereas others that usually fly at night are readily disturbed from their resting places during the day. This guide describes all of these species and features at least one photograph of each in its natural, resting pose. A brief description of each moth covers the key identification features and when and where to look for it, and includes information on its status, life history, special features and caterpillar food plants. Other sections explain how to distinguish moths from butterflies, and also provide essential information on biology, classification, habitats, gardening for moths, conservation and legislation and recording and monitoring.

• Individual accounts for 158 species and photos of 28 others
• More than 320 stunning photos, with every moth shown as you see it
• Beautifully designed, easy to use and clearly written

 RECOMMENDATION: For those with an interest in the moths of the region.

New Title

1) Pasquier, Roger. Birds in Winter: Surviving the Most Challenging Season. 2019. Princeton University Press. Hardbound: 304 pages. Price: $29.95 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Birds in Winter is the first book devoted to the ecology and behavior of birds during this most challenging season. Birds remaining in regions with cold weather must cope with much shorter days to find food and shelter even as they need to avoid predators and stay warm through the long nights, while migrants to the tropics must fit into very different ecosystems and communities of resident birds. Roger Pasquier explores how winter affects birds’ lives all through the year, starting in late summer, when some begin caching food to retrieve months later and others form social groups lasting into the next spring. During winter some birds are already pairing up for the following breeding season, so health through the winter contributes to nesting success.
     Today, rapidly advancing technologies are enabling scientists to track individual birds through their daily and annual movements at home and across oceans and hemispheres, revealing new and unexpected information about their lives and interactions. But, as Birds in Winter shows, much is visible to any interested observer. Pasquier describes the season’s distinct conservation challenges for birds that winter where they have bred and for migrants to distant regions. Finally, global warming is altering the nature of winter itself. Whether birds that have evolved over millennia to survive this season can now adjust to a rapidly changing climate is a problem all people who enjoy watching them must consider.
     Filled with elegant line drawings by artist and illustrator Margaret La Farge, Birds in Winter describes how winter influences the lives of birds from the poles to the equator.
RECOMMENDATION: A detailed overview of the subject.

New Title

1) Seaton, Richard et al.. Australian Birds of Prey in Flight: A Photographic Guide. 2019. CSIRO Publishing. Paperback: 131 pages. Price: $31.95 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Birds of prey spend most of their time in flight, and, when viewed from the ground, they are notoriously hard to identify. Australian Birds of Prey in Flight is a photographic guide to the eagles, hawks, kites and falcons flying high above you. Individual species profiles describe distinguishing features and the text is supported by detailed images showing the birds at six different angles and poses, using photographs from many of Australia's leading bird photographers. Annotated multi-species comparison plates highlight key features that can help differentiate birds of prey in flight.
     This book will be of value to anyone who wants to learn more about Australia's birds of prey, and will provide a useful reference for identifying soaring birds in the field, and also while trying to identify images from your own camera.

Features:

- First guide to focus solely on helping you to identify Australian birds of prey in flight.
- Coverage of 26 birds of prey, including all resident Australian species, as well as 2 regular visitors.
- Lavishly illustrated with photographs from many Australian bird photographers.
- Photographic plates combine multiple photographs of birds at different angles of flight for easier comparison of key characteristics.
- Detailed text and annotated photographs to explain the key features and markers that help you to identify that distant flying bird of prey.

RECOMMENDATION: I see this title as a supplement to the standard Australian bird guides.

New Title

1) Kirwan, Guy M. et al.. Birds of the West Indies. 2019. Lynx. Flexibound: 400 pages. Price: $59.95 U.S.
PUBLISHER'S SUMMARY: Most people associate the Caribbean with palm-fringed sandy beaches, cricket and rum. Mention the West Indies to birders and they think todies and tremblers, among a remarkable array of c. 190 endemic species. Furthermore, no fewer than six families are confined to the region, and another (spindalises) virtually so. The region also receives many vagrants from both North and South America, and even transatlantic arrivals from the Old World. If this were not sufficient enticement, several of the most poorly known and enigmatic birds in the world—including Ivory-billed Woodpecker and Semper’s Warbler—as well as others requiring further taxonomic investigation, provide additional allure. This book covers over 700 species with over 1600 illustrations and more than 650 full color range maps.
RECOMMENDATION: A must have for those birding the West Indies!