Nowadays, bird watching is a very popular and well organised hobby and pastime. Yorkshire is the largest county in England and claims to be one of the best birdwatching areas in the UK. It has a wide variety of habitats, from barren moorland and reservoirs, to dales, woodland, valleys and lowland and a variable coastland of cliffs, chalk heights, boulder clays and sand dunes. All these combine to assure excellent and varied observations for birdwatchers throughout the year.
John Mather has lived most of his life in Yorkshire and has been involved in the recording of birds for more than 40 years, serving on many committees, editing reports, and has written The Birds of Yorkshire, a definitive work still widely respected.
The 105 sites in the book have been chosen for their birdwatching opportunities but ease of accessibility has also been taken into account, private or difficult locations having been omitted. Though they have been chosen for inclusion primarily for their birds, some of the sites are also very rich in plant and insect life and the scenery is striking. Indeed, more than 400 species of birds have been recorded within Yorkshire, reflecting the excellent variety of habitats. All recorded species have been included, even common ones, but it goes without saying that not every species is seen at one visit. The sites have been divided into 11 different regions, based mainly on their closeness, and which therefore can be visited on the same day. However, the coastal area is different, as all 17 sites have been grouped together.
Particularly helpful and explicit is the section "Using this book", which highlights how each site is dealt with, explaining habitat, species, timing, access and calendar.
The book, originally published in 1994, has been revised and updated and 12 new sites have been included. It concludes with an up-to-date list of recorded species and detailed information on organisations, bird clubs and societies within the area. All in all, this is an excellent book and the author, according Athol J Wallis, is the best person "to introduce present-day birdwatchers to some of the best habitats in Yorkshire to enhance their day sin the field in pursuit of their chosen hobby". --Susan Naylor
