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We have studied storm-petrel identification (including
Bulwer’s Petrel) for many years and this guide is the culmination of all we
have learnt. We believe that we have developed a novel approach to storm-petrel
identification that we apply to storm-petrels of the North Atlantic. However,
the guide offers a framework for identification of storm-petrels of the world.
We endeavoured to produce the most comprehensive guide to
storm-petrels and that is why we have chosen a multimedia approach. To do this,
we broke traditions of mainstream publishers and thus had no realistic option
but to publish the guide ourselves. It is our belief that the guide takes the
identification of storm-petrels a step further. But, of course, ultimately,
this guide will be judged by others.
If you like this
guide, then please recommend it to friends and colleagues. Proceeds will be
used to publish the rest of the series on North Atlantic seabirds.
See what the expert reviewers said about our guide (in alphabetical order):
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Steve N. G. Howell (Author and Senior Field Leader, WINGS Birdwatching Tours Worldwide)
Seabirds,
as epitomized by tubenoses, are among the most enigmatic and
sought-after of birds, from distant specks when seawatching to close-up
encounters on pelagic trips. But even close-up views can be brief, and
the ocean isn’t always calm. Knowing what to look for in the critical
few seconds that a bird may be in view has long been the trump card
held by experienced seabirders – images in books can only go so far
towards creating a ‘real-life’ experience. With this new guide, anyone
can develop a feel for storm-petrels in life, birds that heretofore
have been simply names and pictures in books. How do common species fly
in different conditions? How does plumage and shape vary with wear and
molt? How does a Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel really fly, and is it that
different from a Leach’s? (Yes, it is!) What does a Band-rumped
Storm-petrel look like when among a group of Wilson’s Storm-petrels?
These are all questions this new video-based multimedia approach helps
address, produced by two people who are passionate about tubenoses and
have spent much of their time in search of these ocean enigmas.
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Killian Mullarney (Artist, author of the Collins Bird Guide)
This
is a highly authoritative and engaging work that covers all aspects of
the identification of the North Atlantic storm-petrels without ever
losing sight of their magical allure. Founded on years of dedicated
observation at sea and inspired by the passion of its authors, there
could hardly be a better means of preparing for a pelagic trip in the
North Atlantic than to study this book and revel in the accompanying
DVD clips, of the birds as you might hope to see them!
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Magnus Robb (Author, Petrels Night and Day)
A major contribution to storm-petrel identification from Britain's top pelagic birders. The general approach
is thorough and helpful, the footage is a pleasure to watch, and the
analyses of flight modes and feeding behavior have real scientific
value. A great way to prepare yourself for those all important seconds
or, if you're lucky, minutes, when something really exciting turns up.
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Hadoram Shirihai (Tubenoses Project & Extreme Gadfly Petrel Expeditions)
The
unitizing of recent advanced digital video technology, with Bob Flood
and Ashley Fisher's special identification approaches and passion for
seabirds, has produced the first video-based approach that I regard as
a step-forward in the process of learning about seabird identification
at sea, suitable for a wide audience. I strongly encourage Bob and
Ashley to complete their project on North Atlantic seabirds, and I
highly recommend their upcoming video series. Nevertheless, just as a
close up, sharp SLR image with detail of a petrel is irreplaceable
documentation, video clips will never replace the experience and joy of
viewing the seabirds in real life, in their natural environment - the
ocean!
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