A Book to Help Save Endangered British Birds

The Book of Birds is a collaboration between artist Jackie Morris and writer Robert Macfarlane, who wrote the  giant book The Lost Words on treasuring words from the natural world.  This dazzling celebration of British birdlife makes a truly wonderful gift.

With quieter dawns and spring, this is designed to bring back our birds, we still have time to save our bird friends from becoming endangered or extinct. Find a compendium of 49 bird species (all of which are in danger) – from avocat (the symbol of the RSPB) to yellowhammer. From Dipper to Dunnock and Kestrel to Kingfisher. The book shows readers how to identify each bird, whether in the city, by the river, up a mountain or at the ocean..

You’ll learn about each bird’s habits and habitat, patterns of flight and song, how they hunt, nest and raise their young. And how we can help them thrive. Each page is mesmerising with art in watercolour and gold, to inspire. Explore the ‘seven wonders’ of birds: Nest, Egg, Beak, Song, Feather, Flight and Migration.

Seven years in the making, The Book of Birds is a love letter to the splendours and mysteries of birdlife, and a clarion call to halt the loss of birds from land, sea and sky. From Dipper to Dunnock and Kestrel to Kingfisher, from mountain to ocean and city to river, Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane conjure the unique spirit and lifeway of each species. This is a book to be treasured by all.

• If you live with cats, keep them indoors at dusk and dawn, when garden birds are feeding.
• Don’t feed birds stale, mouldy or crusty bread (nor buttered bread, fat can smear on feathers, affecting weatherproofing and insulation).
• Never use brightly-coloured or tin bird houses (they overheat and attract predators).
• Read more on create safe havens for garden birds, and how to stop birds flying into windows 
• Don’t play birdsong near birds, it can confuse and attract predators.