NWBrambleby Books, 2013; pbk, 300pp; numerous colour photographs and maps ISBN 978-1-9082-4104-7  Subbuteo code M23902  £24.99 Many naturalists will know already that Norfolk is a special location for birdwatching. This guide opens your eyes to the many other wildlife highlights the county can offer, with locations and advice given on how to see not only birds, but also butterflies, dragonflies, mammals, amphibians, fish and plants. The book is split into three sections. The first is a calendar which gives a month-by-month account of what can be seen and where to look for it. The second (and largest) section is the site guide, which covers 35 sites throughout the county, providing a brief description of habitats, details of on-site restrictions, access, facilities, length of walks and useful equipment to take. This is followed by details of what species you might encounter and when, plus advice on how to find them. The final section is a year-planner for birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies and orchids, and is followed by a checklist to all the above. As a ranger working on Blakeney Point, I was a little surprised to find some major mistakes in the account for this site. For example, it is stated that the whole spit has unrestricted access - in fact, the west end of the reserve has been out of bounds to visitors for many years to protect breeding terns during the spring and summer, and Grey Seals Halichoerus grypus when they are pupping during late autumn and winter. I was also surprised to read that the point has no visitor facilities, as I am sure I clean and sweep both toilets and visitor centre most mornings. Despite a few inaccuracies, this book is well laid out and easy to use, it has many fine photographs, and is a useful guide for those visiting Norfolk for the first time. Paul Nichols Buy this book from the British Birds bookshop which is run by Subbuteo Natural History Books This means that 5% of all sales generated by British Birds subscribers, whether it is books reviewed in the journal, featured on its book page or listed on the Subbuteo website, will be paid to British Birds - and will directly support the production of the journal.
Volume: 
Issue 1
Start Page: 
1009
Display Image: 

Stay at the forefront of British birding by taking out a subscription to British Birds.

Subscribe Now