British Birds: A photographic guide to every common species (Collins Complete Guide)

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Another release in the highly popular WILDGuides series, this title takes the approach of its predecessor Britain’s Birds but expands its cover across Europe. The panel felt that considerable work has gone into selecting a wide range of images, so that variation in plumage and different postures are shown clearly for each species.

The judges were particularly impressed by the way Vagrancy in Birds presents theories and observations in an easily accessible way. They also felt that the title communicates the importance of vagrancy to a range of ornithological phenomena, from the formation of new migration routes to speciation. An impressive amount of research is included in the family-by-family section, covering extralimital species records, and theories and observations about vagrancy in the given family. Thompson writes novels that combine elements of fable, mystery fiction, fairytale and the uncanny. In The Falconer, a young woman takes a secretarial position in a remote Scottish manor house in the 1930s, determined to find out what happened to her predecessor, her late sister. It’s the dreamlike quality of this novel that places it just ahead of Barry Hines’s A Kestrel for a Knave among my favourite fictions about falconers.

This year, Hazel McCambridge, Maria Farooqi and Jenna Woodford represented BTO on the judging panel, while Paul French, Sarah Harris and Stephen Menzie represented British Birds. Read BTO's review of Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East: an identification guide by Fionnuala McCully British Trust for Ornithology, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, Tel: +44 (0)1842 750050 Fax: +44 (0)1842 750030 An initial vote from each of the judges determined the shortlist, with 11 of the 45 eligible titles going forward to the second round. The final vote took place in mid December, with the usual lively discussion and debate between the judges before they cast their votes to determine the winning title. It was tight at the top, with just a few points separating the winner from second and third place. The first thing that strikes you about this anthology of fiction and poetry inspired by the work of artist Joseph Cornell is what a beautiful object it is. Cornell, who made boxed assemblages, was a birdwatcher and, for this book, Safran Foer invited noted writers including Joyce Carol Oates, Joanna Scott, Siri Hustvedt and Lydia Davis to respond to Cornell’s Aviary series of boxes. Their pieces appear alongside full-colour plates.

Wild Fell is the story of conservation and rewilding from the inside, detailing the author's journey through managing a nature reserve in the Lake District. This mesmerising account of White’s determination to train a goshawk was part of the inspiration behind Helen Macdonald’s enormously popular H Is for Hawk. Indeed, Macdonald wrote a foreword to a recent reissue of The Goshawk. I take away from it a strong impression of obsession, plus the lesson behind this useful remark: “If you saw a bird … it had already seen you.” By Iain D. Campbell, Ken Behrens, Charley Hesse and Phil Chaon; Princeton University Press, 2021; reviewed in BBby Stephen Menzie ( Brit. Birds115: 537–538).With concise but informative text and easy-to-understand diagrams, Habitats of the World offers birders and naturalists the opportunity to learn more about the landscapes they find themselves in, both at home and abroad. Well thought out and structured to assist the reader [...] another one of the top quality bargain books we have come to expect from Princeton's WildGuides series." By Peter Adriaens, Mars Muusse, Philippe J. Dubois and Frédéric Jiguet; Princeton University Press, 2021; reviewed in BBby Brian Small ( Brit. Birds115: 177–178) and for BTO by Fionnuala McCully. The panel felt that Gulls of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East would make a good first guide for those new to ‘gulling’, as well as providing an expert reference for those who have been dedicated birders for decades.

This book about vagrancy - a potentially dense and academic subject - offers something for all birders and ornithologists, from birdwatchers and rarity seekers to conservationists studying habitat loss. As a result of its wide appeal, the judges recognised this title as one of the most useful titles of 2022. The prestigious Best Bird Book of the Year award is open to all books reviewed by BTO and British Birds in the year of consideration. Entries range from identification guides and ornithological science to culture and art, and are judged by a diverse panel from BTO and British Birds.The very thought of a book on gulls is enough to send some folk running – so the judges were pleased to see that this guide offered a straightforward approach to gull identification. An enjoyable read all round, Wild Felltouches on aspects of land management and asks questions that are relevant to nature reserves and wild areas around the country. The judges pointed out that, at a time when rewilding and wildlife-friendly land management are becoming more prevalent, this book offers a view of the situation and its many complexities that we all ought to take note of, regardless of whether we’re a wildlife-sympathetic individual who wants to learn more about the techniques used in land management or an on-the-ground conservationist who wishes to expand their knowledge. An initial vote from each of the judges determined the shortlist. The final vote took place in mid December, with the usual lively discussion and debate between the judges before they cast their votes to determine the winning title.