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This 3 DVD set provides comprehensive coverage of all the regular British birds in total it features 280 species. High quality footage has been specially filmed to show the birds in their natural habitat flying, singing and calling. An expert commentary describes the important features, and there are slow motion sequences and still frames to emphasize key points. A detailed menu gives you instant access to any species. A birdwatching movie of epic proportions BirdWatch magazine Disc One: Divers to Crakes Disc Two: Waders to Swift Disc Three: Swallows to Buntings Filmed and narrated by Paul Doherty
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
The main purpose of this DVD set is for learning how to identify British birds. It is a tool for birdwatchers, not a nature documentary. It covers all the British natives and most common introductions. Each species is shown for a minute or so, longer if it is harder to identify. The narration explains the key recognition points, with freeze frame if necessary to highlight key features. Most birds are shown both on the ground and in flight. If there is a similar species the differences are highlighted, often showing the two species side by side.
All the key variations are described, including different sub-species, summer and winter plumage, and juvenile and adult birds. Calls and songs are sometimes included, especially if they are important to identification, but not always and not all the variants - this is primarily a visual guide.
The live action makes it far easier to learn the birds than simply studying a picture in a book. The quality of the photography is very good, possibly almost too good since the shots tend to be close ups and there are fewer shots of birds on the ground at a distance. The narration is comprehensive although the style can get a bit monotonous after a while - but this is not a nature documentary and it does the job it is designed for. It would be tough going to watch more than a couple of dozen species at a time though, and to watch the entire thing would take stamina. You can also watch with the narration turned off - the names of the birds are still shown on the screen, including a caption if there is another species mixed in with the one being shown.
The navigation is simple, with clearly organised menus and sub-menus, and a printed sheet giving a summary of what is on each disc so it is easy to find any particular bird. There is only a fairly short logo etc. before the menus appear so it is fairly fast if you want to just quickly check one bird.
If you want something pretty and entertaining to watch and listen to, this isn't for you. If you want to brush up your identification skills this is the perfect tool for the job.
All the key variations are described, including different sub-species, summer and winter plumage, and juvenile and adult birds. Calls and songs are sometimes included, especially if they are important to identification, but not always and not all the variants - this is primarily a visual guide.
The live action makes it far easier to learn the birds than simply studying a picture in a book. The quality of the photography is very good, possibly almost too good since the shots tend to be close ups and there are fewer shots of birds on the ground at a distance. The narration is comprehensive although the style can get a bit monotonous after a while - but this is not a nature documentary and it does the job it is designed for. It would be tough going to watch more than a couple of dozen species at a time though, and to watch the entire thing would take stamina. You can also watch with the narration turned off - the names of the birds are still shown on the screen, including a caption if there is another species mixed in with the one being shown.
The navigation is simple, with clearly organised menus and sub-menus, and a printed sheet giving a summary of what is on each disc so it is easy to find any particular bird. There is only a fairly short logo etc. before the menus appear so it is fairly fast if you want to just quickly check one bird.
If you want something pretty and entertaining to watch and listen to, this isn't for you. If you want to brush up your identification skills this is the perfect tool for the job.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Doherty produces this rather special guide to the birds of the UK. All birds that live in or visit the British Isle are covered. This brought me up to speed rapidly on identification (this appears to be Doherty's strength). I live just south of the midlands and there are many birds I will never get the chance to see regularly but British Birds is a good stop-gap measure until trips allow this.
Doherty is obviously not as enthusiastic about many of the common native birds as he is about waders and birds of prey. It is fair enough as we all have our personal highlights! The quality of this series IS on the whole superb, although some very important species are covered in only around two sentences, for example common swift. The undulating flight of the woodpeckers is simply not mentioned. There are other weak points, for example, the Kingfisher is described in my opinion very blandly ("blue" and "unmistakeable"). Considering birds are all related ultimately means coverage should really be equally given to all species.
Audio is first-rate generally. Birds are treated individually and with due attention given to difficult to identify birds. Comes in three discs all beautifully presented. I feel this will remain in my library for years.
Doherty is obviously not as enthusiastic about many of the common native birds as he is about waders and birds of prey. It is fair enough as we all have our personal highlights! The quality of this series IS on the whole superb, although some very important species are covered in only around two sentences, for example common swift. The undulating flight of the woodpeckers is simply not mentioned. There are other weak points, for example, the Kingfisher is described in my opinion very blandly ("blue" and "unmistakeable"). Considering birds are all related ultimately means coverage should really be equally given to all species.
Audio is first-rate generally. Birds are treated individually and with due attention given to difficult to identify birds. Comes in three discs all beautifully presented. I feel this will remain in my library for years.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Excellent dvd covering all the main species you are likely to see in the british isles. Easy to use when you just want to find a certain bird
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Straightforward and effective.
A very effective tool for making those moments when you dont know what you are seeing or hearing become a rarety. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. R. H. Oakley
Excellent for the expert
Very comprehensive and the moving pictures are great in helping identification. Ideal if you're already well versed in birds and need more detail, but if not, you probably need a... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stuart 101
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