Raptors

A field guide on the survey and monitoring of raptors. It provides descriptions of survey methods for various species of raptor (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) which occur regularly in Britain and Ireland. It includes a section featuring full colour photographs of raptor feathers for identification purposes.

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This is the 2nd edition of the extremely popular and bestselling field guide on the survey and monitoring of raptors. As with the first edition, the guide is written for people who watch, survey and monitor raptors and it provides detailed descriptions of survey methods for all species of raptor (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes and Strigiformes) which occur regularly in Britain and Ireland. At a time when many raptors in Britain and Ireland are recovering from low populations in the mid to late 20th Century, or earlier, there is a growing demand for high quality information on numbers, distribution and population trends of these birds. This book aims to promote best practice for survey and monitoring. It is hoped that it will provide a starting point for anyone wanting to begin a raptor study, and indeed that it will help inspire a new generation of raptor ecologists. The field guide has been written and edited by experienced professionals, members of the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Group, drawing on the knowledge and experience of over 300 raptors specialists.
The 2nd edition of this field guide has been updated to take account of feedback received from raptor fieldworkers based on their experience of using the book, as well as reviewers. It also includes a new section featuring high quality, full colour photographs of raptor feathers for identification purposes. This section contains 55 pictures clearly showing the wing formula and diagnostic features for 22 species of raptor, including separate photographs for males and females of sexually dimorphic species. These photographs have been supplied by Marian Cieslak and Boleslaw Dul, the authors of the excellent field guide, "Feathers: Identification for Bird Conservation", from the Natura Publishing House. Combined with the species accounts, the detailed introduction to survey and monitoring techniques contained in part one, and a CD of key raptor calls, the photographs help to create a more comprehensive guide for those interested in the study of raptors.
"Raptors: A Field Guide to Survey and Monitoring" has been funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, with assistance from the other Statutory Conservation Agencies in Britain and Ireland, as well as non-government bodies concerned with birds of prey. This guide makes important contributions to the understanding of the ecology & conservation of raptors. It is written by experienced raptor specialists. It includes a CD of key raptor calls. It features 55 feather photographs.