Recommended field guides and other useful books

The four leading Field Guides (in random order):

Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Simpson & Day, seventh edition

The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Pizzey & Knight

The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds by Peter, Pat & Raoul Slater

Field Guide to Australian Birds by Michael Morcombe  
A web site for the Morcombe bird Field Guide; backs up the bird guide book with photos, videos, and bird song. Also, where & when to see these birds, current birding conditions. Shows other books by this author on birds, wildlife, flora, travel. Please check it out at: http://www.mmbirds.com

Shorebirds An identification guide to the waders of the world by Hayman, Marchant & Prater

Seabirds An identification guide to the seabirds of the world by Peter Harrison

Watching Wildlife Australia Lonely Planet

Finding Birds in Australia's Northern Territory by Donato, Wilkins, Smith & Alford

Other publications of useful books, directly from the authors:

BIRDING AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN EDITION (published annually)

BIRDING AUSTRALIA INTERNATIONAL EDITION (published annually)

by Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia (author, illustrator, publisher)

Birding sites Australia-wide, key species, when to visit, regional maps, birding tours, pelagic trips, regional contacts, where to stay, travel, health tips and more, spiral-bound. No paid advertisements. The Australian Edition includes Ashmore Reef, Torres Strait, and the islands ~ Christmas, Cocos (Keeling), Norfolk, Lord Howe, Heard, Macquarie. Buy online, or by mail or fax.

“This significant Directory is essential reading for all DIY bird observers, armchair travellers and anyone interested in Australian birding ~ highly recommended.” THE BIRD OBSERVER 831-16

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)

BIRDING AUSTRALIA SITE GUIDE ~ THE SOUTH-EAST

by Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia (author, illustrator, publisher)

220+ prime birding sites in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia. Bird list for each site, facilities, access, seabird and wader hotspots, maps, indexed, spiral-bound. User-friendly. Buy online, or by mail or fax.

“This 160-page book would be invaluable to those planning a trip to any of the southern states.” BIRDS QUEENSLAND NEWSLETTER March 2007.  

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)

BIRDS OF QUEENSLAND’S WET TROPICS & GREAT BARRIER REEF

by Lloyd Nielsen (author, illustrator)

Field and site guide to two World-heritage areas in the north-east. Out of print.

“It is not often that we ornithologists are presented with a guide with a completely new approach, but Lloyd Nielsen has achieved this and done it well. Lloyd has done the world of ornithology a great service and this may well set the standard for other district guides.” WINGSPAN Vol.8 No 4.

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)

BIRDS OF LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK & ENVIRONS

by Lloyd Nielsen (author, illustrator, publisher)

Field and site guide. Subtropical World-heritage site in south-eastern Queensland. Buy online, or by mail or fax.

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)

DAINTREE JEWEL OF TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

by Lloyd Nielsen (author, illustrator, publisher)

Essential reading for every visitor to The Daintree (a World-heritage area in north-eastern Queensland), and anyone with an interest in Australia’s natural heritage and aboriginal culture. Buy online, or by mail or fax.

“Lloyd Nielsen’s book is an excellent introduction to the region’s plants, animals, history and geography.” WILD No.68.

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)

The complete Guide to Finding the Birds of Australia by Richard & Sarah Thomas
In three years Richard and Sarah saw all but three of the Australian endemics. Back in England they self-published this book to help the rest of us do the same; it is practical, easy to use with lots of little Mud maps' and is environment-aware.
It details Australia by region, then deals with all the birds by species.
The cost is A$38.50, plus $4 postage anywhere in Australia. 30 day invoice issued with book.
The Australian distribution is handled by Ian Fraser. It is currently out of print.
Email: ianf@pcug.org.au
Overseas: please enquire.

Birds of Darwin Mangroves and Mudflats by Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow (Also see Local Guides' on the Northern Territory page)
This popular booklet is the only guide devoted to the mangrove birds of the Top End and covers the seventy or so species seen in these habitats with descriptions of local plumages and calls. Japanese bird names and information on safety (mosquitoes, crocodiles and deep mud) are included. Over one hundred water-colour illustrations.
RRP Aus$ 10.00 (postage not included). Wholesale on application.

Contact: Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
1/7 Songlark Street
BAKEWELL, NT 0832

Ph/fax: 08 89 328306 international Ph/fax: + 61 8 89 328306

Email: goodfellow@bigpond.com

For further information on trips and Top End birds look up  www.2DocStock.com

‘Birds of Darwin Mangroves’ is now out of print, but the information is contained in 'Birds of Australia’s Top End'

Fauna of Kakadu and the Top End by Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow

This guide to the frogs, mammals and reptiles of the Top End also gives an Aboriginal perspective - the author is a senior member of a semi-traditional Aboriginal clan. As well there is much information on safety, sex, skeletons, tracks and poo. Written in a chatty style with much humour. Foreword by Dr. Fred Weinmann, renowned wet land ecologist and advisor to President Bill Clinton, who says of the author 'I have never been in the field with a better naturalist, anywhere'.

'An indispensable field guide'. D.C. Heath, Wildlife Photographer and Associate of the Royal Photographic Society, Great Britain.

'Fauna of Kakadu and the Top End' is used as a text by the University of NSW at their summer school run in conjunction with American universities.
102 pages. Black & white illustrations.
RRP Aus$ 12.00 (postage not included). Wholesale on application.

Contact: Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
1/7 Songlark Street
BAKEWELL, NT 0832

Ph/fax: 08 89 328306 international Ph/fax: + 61 8 89 328306

Email: goodfellow@bigpond.com

For further information on trips and Top End birds look up  www.2DocStock.com

Birds of Australia's Top End by Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow

As well as giving the usual information available in bird books, 'Birds of Australia's Top End' also covers the origin of Australian birds, physiology and sex, and Aboriginal (Kunwinjku) names and information. There are many anecdotes and snippets of interesting information.

Edward Kanze, reviewing for US Birdwatcher’s Digest says of Birds of Australia's Top End, ‘Author Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow has filled this book with riches.  There are detailed descriptions of songs and behaviour that put most field guides to shame.’
Tim Davis, co-editor, Wildfowl & Wetlands called Birds of Australia's Top End, ‘this delightful and massively informative book.’

A review in The Ibis noted that Birds of Australia's Top End is ‘a useful guide’. 
Dr. ML Augee, past director of first year biological studies, University of NSW says of Birds of Australia's Top End it is a 'truly, great, extraordinary' book. 

Ritchie Bell, Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina – it “sets a new standard for natural history books’.
Birds of Australia's Top End is 159 pages with 28 colour plates, 2 colour maps, and about 500 black and white illustrations, diagrams and maps.  

Birds of Australia’s Top End is included in Field Guide to the Birds of Australia’s (Simpson & Day) core library.

The second edition (just released) is published by Reed New Holland.

Cost about $29.50 through most bookshops.

Or contact: Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
1/7 Songlark Street
BAKEWELL, NT 0832

Ph/fax: 08 89 328306 international Ph/fax: + 61 8 89 328306

Email: goodfellow@bigpond.com

For further information on trips and Top End birds look up  www.2DocStock.com

CARDS

Contact: Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
1/7 Songlark Street
BAKEWELL, NT 0832

Ph/fax: 08 89 328306 international Ph/fax: + 61 8 89 328306

Email: goodfellow@bigpond.com

For further information on trips and Top End birds look up  www.2DocStock.com

Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present by Ian Hutton
One of the major assets of Lord Howe Island is its birdlife. Eighteen species of landbirds breed there, including the rare woodhen. Fourteen species of seabirds breed on the many rocky islets offshore and on the main island; in colonies of tens of thousands.

This definitive, hardcover book on the birds of Lord Howe details all of the breeding species, plus extinct species and regular visitors. Over 160 pages, full colour with historical black and white photographs. Both a
field guide and reference book this contains:

• notes and colour photo of each breeding species
• notes and colour photos and text of all regular visitors
• notes and colour reproduction of all extinct species
• table of breeding times of seabirds
• notes on seasonal activities and location of colonies
• text on bird collections, uses of birds by early residents, extinctions and fossils
• checklist of 166 species recorded on the island

Cost A$29.95
 

Also available:

Phone: 02 6563 2447
Email: lhitours@bigpond.com

Birdwatcher's Guide of the Sydney Region by Peter Roberts
Gives a comprehensive overview of the various habitats. The first section, Localities, describes the best birding spots within 80 km of the city, how to get there, and what to look for. The other main section, Birds, discusses 280 species that are likely to be found in the region with advice about where and when to seek them. The two sections are extensively cross-referenced.

The book is available from specialist bookshops, or direct from the author at A$15.00 posted.

Contact: Peter Roberts 33 Carlyle Road East Lindfield NSW 2070 Australia
Phone: 02 9416 5605 International Phone: + 61 2 9416 5605

WHERE TO FIND BIRDS IN NORTH-EAST QUEENSLAND
4th Edition by Jo Wieneke (author and publisher), out in 2007.

This is the only up-to-date guide to the birds and top birding sites in north-east Queensland from Bowen, north to Townsville, Cairns, the Daintree and west to the Atherton Tableland. Over 400 birds are listed with notes on their status, range and habitat. There are detailed descriptions of over 90 sites both on and off the beaten track. This edition has been completely revised and up-dated and the maps have been re-drawn. It now covers an expanded range in north Qld and has revised  sections on Guiding and Accommodation that include phone, fax, email and website details. It is now 132 pages and again spiral bound. Cost: A$20.00 + postage and handling - $2.50 within Australia, A$8.00 International - Economy Air

Web Page: http://www.nqbirds.com

Email: jo@nqbirds.com or send order and cheque to:
Jo Wieneke, 22 Bishop St, Belgian Gardens, Qld 4810.

Finding birds in Darwin, Kakadu and the Top End by Niven McCrie & James Watson.
This book describes in detail when and where to find species at 47 different birding spots.
Expert local knowledge, detailed maps, a complete annotated list of Top End Species plus a regional checklist.
160pp   PB 2003     $ 25.00 plus postage.
Please check the web page at:
http://ntbirds.net
 

Videos and Other Products

John Young's Nature Videos
"John Young Wildlife Enterprises", (JYWE) is totally dedicated to the conservation of Australia's wildlife and environment and filming it for all to enjoy.

JYWE produces documentary films and videos for the Australian and International television and educational audiences. We also produce special interest videos and products for the bird lovers of the world.

Please check out the web site and take a look at the range of brilliant bird videos.
http://www.johnyoungwildlife.com

David Stewart's "Nature Sound" Wildlife CDs and Cassettes
"NATURE SOUND" has a very large collection of Australian Wildlife sounds, mainly calls of birds and frogs as well as many stereo ambiences recorded on a habitat basis. Commercial productions include a CD of Australia's Bird Call Favourites, a CD of Subtropical Rainforest sounds with animals indexed, 2 definitive CDs of frog calls, a CD of Australian Bush Sounds and a CD of shorebirds and bush birds of the Broome region, plus new on the market: Mallee Bird Calls - South-eastern Australia and South-western Australia, incl. Perth. Three cassettes of bird calls and three cassettes of frog calls have also been produced.

Calls of many other Australian birds, frogs and mammals, as well as stereo atmospheres, are available on request.
http://www.naturesound.com.au
email address: davidstewart@naturesound.com.au

Birding Shops

The Birding Shop carries a wide range of products for birdwatchers.
http://www.thebirdingshop.com

Competitively priced bird call CDs, cassettes, DVDs and other birding related products, including field and site guides. Created by a birder, for birders. Buy online, or by mail or fax.

Lloyd Nielsen’s Birding Australia  www.birdingaustralia.com.au

Write to PO Box 55 Mt Molloy Qld 4871

Ph/fax: (07) 4094 1372 (International: 61 7 4094 1372)