The BTO/CJ Garden BirdWatch Book was first published in December 2003 and provides a fascinating insight into the comings and goings in our gardens and reveals the results of this all-year survey of garden birds. The book contains 128 pages of new material about garden birds and gardens, with over 150 colour pictures. There is information on how birds use gardens and explanations of why this uses varies between seasons and under different weather conditions.

Regional maps show how commonly different species visit gardens and simple graphics highlight when individual species are most likely to be seen. There are also sections on identification, bird behaviour, foods, wildlife-friendly gardening and nestboxes.

The types of questions which are answered in the book include: Why do I only see Goldfinches in March and April? How do I attract more birds to my garden? How many eggs does a Blue Tit lay? Where do my Redwings come from?

The author of the book, Mike Toms, organises the BTOs Garden BirdWatch Project, on which much of the information in the book is based. Mike has worked for the BTO since 1994, initially leading the BTO's Barn Owl research. Since then, he has worked on oiled seabirds, the BTO ringing reports, methods for mammal monitoring and the BTO's Migration Atlas.