Atlas Deutscher Brutvogelarten (Atlas of German Breeding Birds)

The Atlas Deutscher Brutvogelarten (“Atlas of German Breeding Birds”) represents the culmination of over 15 years of work and covers the breeding birds of Germany recorded between 2005 and 2009. This is a substantial book - weighing in at more than 4kgs and covering over 800 pages. In style and lay-out it very much resembles the Bird Atlas 2007 to 2011 published jointly by the BTO, SOC and BirdWatch Ireland, but does not include any information on wintering birds.

The opening chapters of the Atlas explain the history of the project, the methodologies used during survey work, as well as examining the seven main biogeographical regions of Germany. Furthermore, there is a chapter dedicated to each of Germany’s federal states (the Bundeslaender) and how the survey work was organised in each. There is also a summary of the number and distribution of birds within the sixteen Bundeslaender. From my own point of view, there is a missed opportunity here as there is no review of previous atlas work carried out at a national or regional level to put the current work in a historical context.

The majority of the Atlas is dedicated to the individual species accounts, with each of the 266 species receiving at least a two page spread of text and maps. The 45 commonest species receive an extra two pages of maps of computer modelled distribution and breeding density. One notable feature of the maps in this Atlas is that it is based around 25 x 25km squares, rather than the 10 x 10km squares used by the Bird Atlas 2007-11. The text accounts give some insight into preferred breeding habitat, total population and distribution. Each species is beautifully illustrated by the German-Greek artist Paschalis Dougalis, typically within its preferred habitat. However, the cover image (a Robin) by the same artist is rather too dark and austere in my opinion and a brighter illustration could well have been a better choice.

A quick scan through the species accounts immediately highlights the differences in the avifauna of Germany and Britain – the first species being Greater Rhea! Non-native species are a notable feature of the Atlas, as 20 out of the 266 species originate from escapes or deliberate releases, including no less than three Parrot species. Like Britain, waders and farmland species are declining, in some cases alarmingly. Formerly widespread, Crested Lark is now restricted to two widely spaced populations in the upper Rhine valley near Frankfurt as well as in the region north and west of Berlin. On a positive note raptor species such as White-tailed Eagle and Osprey are increasing, as are Black Stork and Common Crane. 

The last chapter contains a summary of extinct or only irregularly breeding species, for example Spot-billed Duck and feral Pink-footed Goose. Given its current distribution in southern Europe, it may be slightly surprising to see Rock Sparrow listed here, but up until the 19th Century, it bred throughout central and southern Germany. Finally, there is also some speculation on birds likely to colonise Germany in the near future, such as Little Egret, Cetti’s Warbler and Citrine Wagtail. With summering birds now a regular feature, Pallid Harrier may be another species likely to breed in the very near future.

In summary, this is an excellent publication and looks set to be an essential reference work for anyone with an interest in European birds. English speakers are catered for by a two page summary of methods and other relevant information in the Appendix, as well as a short summary on each species account.

Book reviewed by Stephen McAvoy