Birds of Spain (2nd edn)
By James Lowen and Carlos Bocos
Helm, 2024
Pbk, 224; many colour photographs
ISBN 978-1-3994-0501-0; £16.99
Birds of Italy (2nd edn)
By Marianne Taylor and Daniele Occhiato
Helm, 2024
Pbk, 224; many colour photographs
ISBN 978-1-3994-1064-9; £16.99
Spain is a popular birding destination for many European birders; Italy less so – although perhaps it ought to be. These two books follow the same style, layout and coverage of regularly occurring species as other titles in the series (Brit. Birds 116: 116–117) – though, with fewer species in Spain and Italy than some of the neotropical countries covered in other guides, the 300 or so species covered in each of the titles feels pretty comprehensive.
Each species receives one to four photos and a couple of short paragraphs of text, including some tips on where to see the species.
As with the other titles in this series, these two books are perfect for slipping into a backpack on a non-birding or family holiday; and, given that the riches of both Spain and Italy extend beyond just their avifauna, a non-birding holiday to either destination is not too far-fetched.
Stephen Menzie