Fully immerse yourself in the wonder of 52 bird songs and calls, this book would make a perfect gift, for others or yourself. It’s also a book where you can share the reading experience with children. While you read the fascinating information and descriptions of birds by leading expert and writer Dominic Couzens, you can listen via a QR code to the songs and calls, and take in the artwork by award-winning artist Madeleine Floyd. This joined-up approach works beautifully. The QR codes are easy to use and take you to Batsford Books website, the recordings vary in length, while the Eurasian skylark is just over 4 minutes of glory, the great spotted woodpecker is 54 seconds of drumming, where the: “bird taps the wood, not to make a hole but to send a message”. As Dominic says in the introduction: “Birdsong is one of the joys of life for those of us fortunate enough to be able to hear it. It is also a free gift, requiring no charge to appreciate, although recognising the species might require the help of a tutor or an app”. He has the knowledge and ability to explain, to show, to encourage, and leave you wanting to go and explore and listen in person. I love nature, and grew up with a father steeped in the countryside who knew all the bird songs. This book has brought back the magic, I’ve learned much more in its pages, and I’ve found myself listening with a reawakened love and appreciation. Whether you are new to wanting to understand birdsong, or are already a fully fledged birdwatcher, this book casts a spell. A truly lovely reading experience I can highly recommend, A Year of Birdsong has been awarded a LoveReading Star Book.
A Year of Birdsong: 52 Stories of Songbirds Synopsis
Fascinating stories about birdsong for every week of the year, with QR code for every entry. Dominic Couzens, a leading bird expert and writer, takes you on a journey to enjoy an authentic year of birdsong around the world, one for every week of the year. From the ancient song of the Rifleman that was likely the first sound made by a songbird to the Eurasian Skylark who evokes the zenith of summer, from the constant companion of the American Robin whose song resonates from the top of skyscrapers and complements the howling of a wolfpack in Alaska to the drumming rhythm of the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This book covers a myriad of topics including bird nature and behaviour, stories and literary masterpieces inspired by birdsongs, the musicality of the notes, and what different songs communicate. Each of these fascinating stories are accompanied by illustrations by award-winning artist Madeleine Floyd and a QR code to let you listen to the birdsong while you read. A natural wonder that has captivated and fascinated generations, birdsong is the soundtrack to life. This book offers the perfect tonic whether you are an avid birdwatcher or just want to understand the songs that are often the first thing we hear in the morning and the last thing we hear at night.
