UKC

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of a good book on British wildlife and trees. Nothing crazy, just a basic introductions to some of the most common stuff - need something to occupy me between climbs!

Thank a lot

In reply to pirate: interested too

In reply to pirate:

For pocket size you have Colins gem books, there is a guide to trees, wildlife etc. handy and light for your bag. They all cost a couple of quid.

I use for work 'The Collins Tree Guide' (other wise known as the tree Bible) - Alot more indepth than the pocket guide, tho about 4 times the size and about 15 quid. But most Arborists and tree lovers have it.

hope that helps

In reply to pirate:

The Fontana New Naturalist series.

Mostly out of print, but with a thriving second-hand scene. (Check Amazon for a start)

Simply unsurpassed in most instances.

In reply to pirate:

If you want something a bit more in depth than a simple guide, I'd recommend Colin Tudge's "Secret Life of Trees".

In reply to pirate: If you want something to help identify things, you need a good illustrated key, like for eg Francis Rose. Really good, but expensive and you have to know a bit about plants to get the most out of it. If you want a book that explains how British Wildlife fits into the landscape, have a look for Oliver Rackham "the History of the Countryside", there an illustrated edition, too. All of the New Naturalist series are wonderful and often cheap ish second hand - but not id guides as such.

Not a book I've used myself, but there is also a collins guide to British Wildlife which would provide a good starter for common species

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Guide-Wildlife-photographic/dp/000...

In reply to pirate:

If you're ever in the BAkewell area check out the wildlife bookshop if it's still there.

In reply to goldmember: Not the previously mentioned Collins Tree guide but the Collins Complete Guide to British Wildlife is really good it has sections on trees plants,animals,birds etc and the colour photos are very useful.

In reply to pirate:

I've got loads of ID guides, but the best general ones is this from Reader's Digest. Really good, the paintingas are excellent and the text is pitched just right:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britains-Wildlife-Plants-Flowers-Readers/dp/0276440...

In reply to pirate:
Obviously quite specific to Snowdonia, but nevertheless a great book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nature-Snowdonia-Beginners-Upland-Environment/dp/19...

In reply to pirate: hostile habitats is a very comprehesive guide.

In reply to pirate: I have used this for years & have yet to see better, only available used now but a great guide.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-British-Wildlife-Collins-Handguides/dp/000...

In reply to Lorraine McCall:

...To quite a narrow range of habitats. I got the impression the OP wanted something rather more general. I post not to have a go, but because people get hung up on HH because it's the recommended text for the ML (I think) .If people are looking to become a good field naturalist, rather than a good mountain leader, the requirements are different.


All those people skills will have to go for a start

In reply to pirate:

Thanks a lot to everyone who posted, loads of great ideas here plus a few things to look at if I get into it a bit more so thank you!

In reply to toad:

I've got a copy of this and can highly recommend it as a broad book covering most things.