I found this book immensely helpful when carrying out my research. It forced me to sharpen up my study design by covering issues such as the purpose and design of surveys, common sources of bias and how to minimise them and then providing a thorough explanation of the merits and pitfalls of various techniques and when it is most suitable to use them. All of the major techniques are covered such as territorial mapping, point counts and line transects as well as counts for specific groups such as nocturnal or colonial nesting birds. The text is backed up with diagrams and many real-life examples of techniques in action. After each chapter there is a section that summarises the main points covered and there are extensive references for anyone wishing to pursue the topic further. Overall this book is an invaluable source of accurate information for anyone involved in conducting bird surveys or carrying out research into birds.


An Impressive Achievement   June 5, 2003
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Increasing numbers of both professionals and amateur ornithologists are becoming involved in conducting bird surveys. Due to the immense variety of potential survey techniques it is often confusing for the researcher to know which one is most suitable for a particular project. Even the amateur, who is carrying out a pre-selected survey on behalf of an organization such as the BTO, may not have a full appreciation of why they are using a specific methodology. This comprehensive book provides an overview of all the major techniques used to survey birds and thus fills this knowledge gap. It constantly stresses that the particular methodology chosen is entirely dependent on what the objectives of the survey are.

I found this book immensely helpful when carrying out my research. It forced me to sharpen up my study design by covering issues such as the purpose and design of surveys, common sources of bias and how to minimise them and then providing a thorough explanation of the merits and pitfalls of various techniques and when it is most suitable to use them. All of the major techniques are covered such as territorial mapping, point counts and line transects as well as counts for specific groups such as nocturnal or colonial nesting birds. The text is backed up with diagrams and many real-life examples of techniques in action. After each chapter there is a section that summarises the main points covered and there are extensive references for anyone wishing to pursue the topic further. Overall this book is an invaluable source of accurate information for anyone involved in conducting bird surveys or carrying out research into birds.