The Biggest Twitch: Around the world in 4,000 birds

Many of you reading this will have taken part in a bird race at some point – maybe a 1-day New Year one. This little book relates a bird race with a difference! The highest number of birds recorded in a single year had stood at 3,662, set in 1989 by an American birder. The authors, on a whim, decided to do what many have dreamed: gave up their jobs, sold their house and set off on an intensive year of birding around the world to try and break the record. This is their tale. A bit of a travel book, a bit of a bird list and all fun. A last minute decision from the authors meant that each new bird had to be seen or heard by both of them to count, and this enforced close proximity led to some interesting moments!

Book reviewed by Su Gough