Whenever I lead bird walks for novices, at some point I am inevitably asked, "How did you see that?" I am quick to point out that knowing the habitat of the species is key to finding the bird. It is equally true of course for the salamander, weasel, pimpernel or sedge. Habitat recognition is critically important.
Princeton University Press has produced another title in the "Habitats of..." series, and I think it is apparent to any serious student of nature, that guides such as this should be a standard part of a well-stocked library.
Like all others in the series, Habitats of Europe is extremely well done, filled with a cornucopia of information and an incredible (and I mean incredible) suite of images. Every single page is loaded with full colour illustrations pertinent to the chapter at hand, complementing the text in superb fashion.
In fact, before starting to read the book I would recommend carefully going through it, page by page, to really absorb the overall impact of the work. You will quickly grasp just how perfectly text and image mesh and you’ll be already yearning for more.
Permit me the liberty of just one example. On page 344 there is a picture of a White-headed Duck. The caption to the picture states, "White-headed Duck, a scarce species found in s. and e. Europe, favours complexes of smaller ponds and reedbeds." There, in one brief sentence you know the name of the species, its conservation status, where it might be found, and its habitat preference. Brilliant!
The introductory sections are comprehensive and informative. I would urge everyone not familiar with the Köppen Climate Classification system, to become familiar with it. It is easy to understand, easy to use, yet precise.
The biomes of Europe are covered as follows: Conifer Forests; Deserts; Temperate Broadleaf Woodlands; Savannas; Grasslands and Steppes; Mediterranean Shrublands; Tundra; Freshwater Habitats; Saline Habitats; Anthropogenic Habitats. Each classification is broken down in great detail. Everyone needs to understand the mechanisms of each habitat and how they are in many instances inter-related. For example, how do ground-nesting birds on the Tundra exploit other habitats during the non-breeding season?
If I am waxing effusive in my praise of this book, it is because I think it deserves no less.
Don't hesitate to get your hands on a copy right away - and you will be effusive too!
Paperback - US$35.00 - ISBN: 9780691245171
432 pages - 5.875 x 8.25 inches (14.69 x 20.625 cm)
465 colour photographs - 52 illustrations - 70 diagrams - 43 maps
Publications date: 02 December, 2025
I can feel your joy and excitement over your new book. It really is amazing and if I were a traveler, I would want to have this. I will content myself with your travels and enjoy what you enjoy from my sofa, in our Florida Habitat of which I have 81 years of knowledge. I love photography and my two most favorite photographers are Ansel Adams and "Ansel Adams of the Everglades, Clyde Butcher. They would love this book like you do.. if you have never seen Clyde Butcher's photos, check him out.. My son and I went to Ringling Museum about 20 years ago to Ansel Adams display and we wound Clyde Butcher and spent hours sitting in front of the wall sized photos in total amazing of our habitat here in Florida.
ReplyDeletei will go and check Clyde Butcher, Sandra.
DeleteThis seems like a really nice book, David.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a wonderful weekend.
Best regards Irma
Gracias por la información, David.
ReplyDeleteHoy en Segovia la nieve está dejando estampas de cuento.
Un abrazo y feliz día.
Cierto, amigo David, las aves al igual que la flora se la reconoce mejor cuando se conoce su hábitat natural y se presta un mínimo de atención.
ReplyDeleteMuy interesante este libro que voy a tener en cuenta, gracias.
Muchos besos.
That's right, David, birds, like plants, are best recognized when you know their natural habitat and pay a little attention.
This book is very interesting; I'll keep it in mind. Thank you. Lots of love.
For someone like me who goes to Europe infrequently it is valuable. For someone who lives there it is essential!
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteYour reviews always do great service to the books being read and entice the potential reader! YAM xx
...Europe must have many diverse habitats!
ReplyDeleteI think there should soon be a trip to Europe to put all these principles in to action. It looks like a gorgeous book.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great book to discover all the beauties of Europe's habitat !
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing !
Bon weekend au chaud ! Toujours pas de neige à ma porte ;)
Anna
I don't know this classification system. I'm going to go check it out. It's looks like a great books too, and I can say I wish was heading to Europe right now, although with this Greenland debacle I don't know how welcome I would be in some places. Have a super weekend. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteJust me again. I'm totally surprised I never heard of this before-or don't remember hearing about this before since it's not anything very new, is it? Thanks for introducing this to me.
ReplyDeleteNo, it has been around for a while. It is simple and effective and facilitates communication it two people are exchanging information. There is a "Habitats of North America" in this same series that I find equally useful.
DeleteHabitat is everything when searching for flora and fauna. I purchased a book called Wildflowers of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region which is very specific about the habitat and areas of where to find Wild Flowers.
ReplyDeleteGood books with good info are invaluable for learning.
This looks like a wonderful book.
Dat lijkt mij een prachtig boek David, waar je veel informatie uit kunt halen.
ReplyDeleteFotograferen is toch kijken , kijken en nog eens kijken.
Je ziet zoveel meer als je fotografeert.
Groetjes Tinie
This looks really good. I have been aware of this publication for a while. Maybe it will be very useful for some of us on the European continent!
ReplyDeleteFor those involved with natural history it would be a wonderful acquisition, and it might serve as a stimulus for those who have not yet explored beyond their urban boundaries. One section even deals with anthropogenically modified environments.
DeleteI live in Europe and I know little about birds. I read you and your commenters with envy.
ReplyDeleteI have a different knowledge than yours, and there are no polymaths these days. I can't be one either, I come here to study on your blog to know a little more.
In spring and summer I will sit on my balcony early in the morning and listen to the birds. I promise you!
The book is not only informative, but also beautiful.
Éva
It’s great to think of you sitting on your balcony listening to birdsong. A walk through your local woodland or wildflower meadow would be even better.
DeleteThere are those too!
DeleteBut I've only heard such "concentrated" bird chirping once early in the morning on my balcony, and I've never forgotten it since.
wow Now I want this BOOK! Make it to my wishlist :-))
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful book and I think you are very happy with this one. As for your comment about the Fulani hats. Yes, they are ceremonial. Have a very nice day today.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great book, David. It's not often you show books that have to do with Europe, but that's understandable. There are really a lot of great pictures in the book.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
This book would benefit you greatly, Marit, but I doubt that it will be translated into Norwegian!
DeleteA wonderful book with wonderful information and photos :-D
ReplyDeleteIt would be wonderful for someone confined to home with a broken ankle!
DeleteThis does sound interesting, I have book marked it. At the moment I am worrying about N who has Bronchitis and is not at all well. Back to the Dr again on Monday, we are supposed to leave 4 Feb, so hopefully he will have got better on a second lot of antibiotics by then!! Prenez soin de vous. Bisous mon ami, Diane
ReplyDeleteBronchitis at Nigel’s age does not sound good, Diane. I hope he recovers in time for your trip.
DeleteThank you for another great book David. What a marvelous find! I was reading somewhere how a person might find an owl in the trees, as camouflaged as they are. It was fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds an excellent book, many thanks David.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Hello, how it`s going, David! interesting book for understanding the place we inhabit, the web that sustains species.
ReplyDeleteFragrant flowers x u! have a wonderful sunday! Gros bisous 💛🌸🎀🌺🌷💛 🌸🎀🌺🌷
post data: Pimpinela is an Argentine duo formed by brother and sister Joaquín Galán and Lucía Galán. Since 1981, the group is famous for singing romantic musical pieces and known for their original singing style. Wikipedia
Origin: Buenos Aires
Active from: 1981
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Members: Lucía Galán; Joaquín Galán
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSW4PpFp2Gg&list=RDhSW4PpFp2Gg&start_radio=1
"In fact, before starting to read the book I would recommend carefully going through it, page by page, to really absorb the overall impact of the work."
ReplyDeleteWhenever I have a nonfiction book that's loaded with pictures, I tend to "look" through the whole thing first before I actually start reading. I can't help it. There's just too much anticipation.
That would be a wonderful book to have.
ReplyDeleteAnother book with exceptional graphics!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an excellent guide for anyone interested in European wildlife. The photos look stunning. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about habitat being the "secret sauce" for birding. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stared at a branch wondering how someone else spotted a bird, only to realize I wasn't looking at the context of where it lives. The White-headed Duck example you shared is perfect. It’s amazing how much a well-written caption can teach you in five seconds. This looks like a beautiful addition to the shelf, especially with those 465 photos. Thanks for the tip on the Köppen Climate Classification, too; I definitely need to brush up on that.
ReplyDeleteThat is a coincidence. I've just written an article for our local lake association. It is about mammal tracking, and points out that knowing who is in the habitat increases your ability to ID tracks.
ReplyDeleteIt.s looking a beautiful book. A great header of your snowowl.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an essential tool for one wishing to understand the habitats of Europe and their interrelatedness, or indeed the interrelatedness of habitats in any region of our planet.
ReplyDeleteLooks like w well-designed and highly informative book. Your enthusiasm is a joy to read.
ReplyDeleteHabitat knowledge is of utmost importance in your line of "work"!!
ReplyDeleteEste libro me vendría de maravilla, aunque tengo otros, este me gusta mucho. Abrazos querido amigo David.
ReplyDelete