Practical Birding: A Guide To Birdwatching In Southern Africa

Peter Ryan Struik, Cape Town, 2001
Softcover, R79-95, ISBN 1 86872 608 8, A5 (210x148mm), 96 pages

Over 900 species of birds have been recorded in Southern Africa, and a host of books are available to help with identification and behaviour. There are four or five field guides, two excellent reference books of nests and eggs, several family monographs, many "where to watch" publications, and numerous glossy pictorial books. On top of this, there is a the massive two volume bird atlas for the region, specialised publications on threatened species and "Important Bird Areas", and the six volume (and counting) "Birds of Africa" series. Certainly, birders in the region are very well serviced with reference material! Yet despite this abundance of literature, there has - until now - been a large gap in terms of how to watch birds.

This compact little addition to the region's avifaunal literature provides a very good introduction to the topic. Written in an easy-going style with colour photographs and a handful of cartoons, the book will appeal to those who have just started the hobby, and will doubtless encourage many others to take up one of the world's fastest-growing outdoor pursuits.

After a brief introduction on why to watch birds, the author explains birding jargon such as "grip" (to see a rare or sought-after species) and "bogey bird" which refers to "a species that eludes you despite considerable effort on your part to find it" (this reviewer, for instance, took over 20 years to see his first Painted Snipe!). Then follows an all important chapter on basic equipment which provides clear guidelines on choosing binoculars, how to choose and use field guides, and the value of keeping a notebook.

"Getting to Know Birds" explains anatomy, how to make a field description, and tricky aspects of identification such as plumage differences within a species, between sexes and across seasons. "Jizz" (the unique postures and movements of a species) and the critical importance of identifying bird calls are also discussed. A section on field skills includes tips for birding on foot, in a car, and ways of attracting birds ("pishing" and "squeaking" are two), as well as the rather specialised techniques required for sea birding (heave ho!) and night birding. About 20 pages are then devoted to "where" to look for birds in which the author outlines the major biomes and habitats of Southern Africa, with his ten top sites in each of bushveld, forest, grasslands, fynbos, desert, wetlands and coastline (the only major omission I could find here was the absence of Barberspan on the ten top wetland sites).

The section on "advanced birding" provides tips on finding and reporting rarities (your reputation is at stake here, for you might become known as a "stringer"if you keep reporting rare birds that nobody else ever sees!), colour abnormalities, telescopes, recording bird calls, and bird photography. The book closes with a section entitled "making a contribution to ornithology" which discuses the value of atlassing and counting, watching and documenting breeding activities, ringing and measuring captured birds, and what to do with dead or injured birds.

Overall, the book is packed with sound advice and practical information and Peter Ryan (a co-editor of the new "Roberts' Birds" due in 2003) has done an admirable job of cramming as much as possible into a clearly restrictive format. Although many of the topics are deserving of a more detailed treatment, I have no hesitation in recommending this very useful book to everyone keen to make the most of a hobby which - in many cases - is likely to become an obsession.

- Duncan Butchart -

Posted: Birds by CC Africa, Date: 22 November 2006