Birdwatching London: all the Best Places to See Birds in the Capital

At first glance this book looks like any ordinary book about birding. However upon closer inspection the author has managed to portray his enthusiasm and personality through his choice of words. This in some cases can even come across as humorous.

The locations are packed full of information including the star species for the site, the author’s past experiences with the sites and also information on the notable birds that have in the past been present, in order to spur some interest in these areas especially in migration.

The book has also lead me to discover some new places including some hidden gems such as Morden Hall Park and South Norwood CP that I wouldn’t have otherwise visited if it weren’t for this book. Both these sites are amazing and don’t feel as though you are in the middle of London especially in the wilderness of South Norwood CP.

From personal experience birding in London is just as described and odd things turn up in odder places. Last year for example I twitched a Red-backed Shrike on Parliment Hill right up at the view point which is a popular tourist attraction. Whilst we were standing there we had many people come up and ask us what we were doing as well as some tourists taking photos of us standing there. This is something that I feel you just wouldn’t get anywhere else.

What I and David’s new book are trying to say is that London is an amazing place to bird watch and eventually if you put in the time and effort it is rewarding.

Book reviewed by Samuel Levy

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