Helm Identification Guides: Reed and Bush Warblers

“Warblers are not for everyone” begins the authors’ introduction to this latest addition to the Helm Identification Guides series. Whilst that statement is undoubtedly true, from the moment Brian Small’s exquisite jacket illustration of an Aquatic Warbler catches the eye, this incredible work takes great strides towards its goal of inspiring others to take up the challenges presented by this difficult group. Covering thirteen genera in three families, Locustellidae, Acrocephalidae and Cettidae, Reed and Bush Warblers tackles some of the most problematic species in identification terms. Not only are many of the species treated in the book confusingly similar to one another, their retiring habits often make it hard to obtain good views of them. Those of us who get a kick out of persevering with these warblers, waiting patiently for the glimpses that will eventually form, jigsaw-like, an image of the bird in question, will find a wealth of invaluable information crammed into the 712 pages, whilst ringers will find indispensible guidance on the identification and ageing of these birds in the hand.

Reed and Bush Warblers follows very much in the mould of ‘Sylvia Warblers’ and ‘Pipits and Wagtails’. It begins with an overview of the group’s taxonomy, details of moult strategies and advice on ageing, both in the field and in the hand. Fascinating chapters summarising the migration of certain representatives of the group, and exploring the origins, distribution and extinction of Acrocephalus in the Pacific Ocean add further value to the opening section. Next come the plates, in which each species is depicted in a comprehensive range of plumages. Whilst one or two of these are perhaps a little over-saturated, the attention to detail is second to none, and it is immediately obvious that the artist has studied many of his subjects in the field. The species accounts themselves are more than a match for their predecessors in the series, with ample attention given to identification and potential confusion species, both from within and outside the genus in question, coupled with clear, detailed maps, sonograms and voice descriptions, habitat and behaviour summaries. Numerous awe-inspiring images show that full advantage has been taken of the advent of widely accessible digital photography and ‘world birding’.

Finally, Reed and Bush Warblers passed my somewhat esoteric personal tests (helping with an assessment of a record of Basra Reed Warbler Acrocephalus griseldis and reacquainting me with my favourite-named bird, the Aberrant Bush Warbler, Cettia flavolivacea with flying colurs! I am left in no doubt that the authors' aim, to inspire further exploration into this diverse and challenging group, will be realised.

Book reviewed by Nick Moran