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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The author first told me of his idea for this guide a couple of years ago and, I have to say, I'm absolutely blown away by the final result. This is, without doubt, going to be a standard reference for many years to come and, I'm sure, a benchmark that authors of similar topics will measure their works by. If you're at all interested in entomology then you need this book - simple as that. And don't be fooled by the title - many of the individual species are found across the British Isles and not just the New Forest area, and this guide will help you identify the family or even genus for those species found further afield for the most part.
For the last 30 years or so I've relied on typical field guides that present their subject out of context, often displaying specimens in unnatural positions - something that a photographic guide doesn't suffer from. The path trodden by Waring and Townsend's Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland (illustrated by Richard Lewington) and Chris Manley's British Moths and Butterflies - a photographic guide, which have shifted away from the illustration of pinned specimens (thankfully) and toward a representation that is wholly realistic as seen in nature, is continued in this work.
The text accompanying the photos is really quite detailed when compared with other guides. Given the many acknowledged contributors, it's easy to see that the author (whose own credentials are impeccable) has clearly done his homework by consulting the "great and the good" in all fields of entomology - something that comes across in the written word. The species-specific dialogue makes for an enjoyable read with the author's local knowledge shining through. I have to admit, I thought I knew my butterflies, but even this section was interesting and informative reading; I stand enlightened as a result! Specific sites within the New Forest area are also provided should the reader want to make specific plans to find a particular species.
Finally, I should mention the presentation. I'm surprised that this book isn't also labelled as a "field guide", since it would be easy to carry around on a field trip (and I shall be doing just that!). It's fairly chunky at 314 pages, but small enough to carry around. The various insect orders are suitably divided in the book, with every page colour-coded to allow the reader to easily locate the order in question. It's then a case of simply flicking through the pages to "home in" on a particular species. Having said that, I can also envisage readers reading the book from cover to cover.
All in all this is, quite simply, a book that "raises the bar" for similar works and, as such, is highly recommended.
For the last 30 years or so I've relied on typical field guides that present their subject out of context, often displaying specimens in unnatural positions - something that a photographic guide doesn't suffer from. The path trodden by Waring and Townsend's Field Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland (illustrated by Richard Lewington) and Chris Manley's British Moths and Butterflies - a photographic guide, which have shifted away from the illustration of pinned specimens (thankfully) and toward a representation that is wholly realistic as seen in nature, is continued in this work.
The text accompanying the photos is really quite detailed when compared with other guides. Given the many acknowledged contributors, it's easy to see that the author (whose own credentials are impeccable) has clearly done his homework by consulting the "great and the good" in all fields of entomology - something that comes across in the written word. The species-specific dialogue makes for an enjoyable read with the author's local knowledge shining through. I have to admit, I thought I knew my butterflies, but even this section was interesting and informative reading; I stand enlightened as a result! Specific sites within the New Forest area are also provided should the reader want to make specific plans to find a particular species.
Finally, I should mention the presentation. I'm surprised that this book isn't also labelled as a "field guide", since it would be easy to carry around on a field trip (and I shall be doing just that!). It's fairly chunky at 314 pages, but small enough to carry around. The various insect orders are suitably divided in the book, with every page colour-coded to allow the reader to easily locate the order in question. It's then a case of simply flicking through the pages to "home in" on a particular species. Having said that, I can also envisage readers reading the book from cover to cover.
All in all this is, quite simply, a book that "raises the bar" for similar works and, as such, is highly recommended.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A lot of work has gone into this great book with crisp images which outshines other available (UK coverage) photographic field guides on insects and useful anywhere in the UK for anyone with an interest in entomology.
While it would be impossible to cover everything, all the key species for the region are featured and a number of rarities which you would struggle to find in other guides. The book is portable for taking into the field and easy to thumb through to locate particular groups of interest, with similar species being presented on the same page.
It is no doubt difficult to balance portability, image quantity and size and there has to be a level of compromise. It would be nice to see a coffee table version of the book to really do justice to some of the fantastic photographs!
The guide also provides information on where to look for particular species, which will no doubt help save time for those who would like to see or photograph anything specific.
The book also includes some historical information on entomology in the New Forest which is an incredibly rich area for wildlife and long in need of quality field guides such as this.
Definitely a welcome addition to my book collection and something that I will be referring to on a regular basis.
While it would be impossible to cover everything, all the key species for the region are featured and a number of rarities which you would struggle to find in other guides. The book is portable for taking into the field and easy to thumb through to locate particular groups of interest, with similar species being presented on the same page.
It is no doubt difficult to balance portability, image quantity and size and there has to be a level of compromise. It would be nice to see a coffee table version of the book to really do justice to some of the fantastic photographs!
The guide also provides information on where to look for particular species, which will no doubt help save time for those who would like to see or photograph anything specific.
The book also includes some historical information on entomology in the New Forest which is an incredibly rich area for wildlife and long in need of quality field guides such as this.
Definitely a welcome addition to my book collection and something that I will be referring to on a regular basis.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An absolutely brilliant book on Insects of the New Forest and beyond, for many of the species illustrated and described occur beyond the New Forest. Paul Brock has done for insects what Chris Manley did for moths, albeit on a more localised area. The introductory pages detailing the historical and habitat side are worth having for the information they contain alone. Then there are the splendid photographs and superb detailed text, which is written in layman's terms. It is the perfect size to fit in the pocket or backpack. This book is A MUST HAVE volume for the field or the bookcase!
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