The Breeding Birds of Cumbria - how has it been received?   Spring 2003

The following are quotes from recent reviews and from commendations  received:

The Breeding Birds of Cumbria is a major achievement of which Cumbria Bird Club can be justly proud. It can be read or dipped into by those with an interest in birds, but will also prove a very useful tool for those involved in nature conservation in Cumbria. (The Trust’s own copy is already well thumbed!) Your book-shelf will be incomplete without it.            (Kerry Milligan, in Cumbrian Wildlife (Cumbria Wildlife Trust) – January 2003)

I have only scratched the surface so far, but can already see what a monumental work it is. Everything about it impresses me and to get it out so soon after the completion of the field work is unbelievable. Everyone concerned with its production is to be congratulated.  I can honestly say it is one of the most impressive bird books that I possess.        (Brian Armitage, Huddersfield)

I’ve just read this cover to cover and think it is excellent – well done!!

(Andy Brown, English Nature)

The fruits of their labour is a magnificent volume which will be the benchmark for all future county breeding atlases.                   (Adrian Pitches, in British Birds – March 2003)

I have now had time, since my Manchester-based son delivered my copy of the atlas personally to me just before Christmas, to spend several hours drooling over the superbly presented contents. It is a first-rate scientific publication and I marvel at the level of professionalism exhibited as I devour each page and feel proud of my fellow Cumbrian birdwatchers at such an achievement. A difficult job indeed to summarize on one page an account of the species, but the prose style of the team presented the science and statistics on the bird in an absorbing way. My birdwatcher wife was particularly taken with the illustrations of the species on each page. Well done all of you!

(Ray Downes, Beaconsfield, West Australia)

Quite honestly I was stunned when I removed it from its packaging. I have seen other regional and county bird atlases but quite frankly this was by far the most impressive.

(Mike Williams, in Acorn Publisher – February 2003)

This work is something special. The introductory chapters, especially those entitled ‘Cumbria: the natural areas’ and ‘Cumbria: the changing landscape’ should be compulsory reading for any member of Friends of the Lake District. The book is equally attractive for the scholar and layman. It is a work to dip in or study and has an excellent written style throughout ... The artwork in the main text and photographs in the introduction are a delight, as is the cover painting of black grouse in Geltsdale. This work is a must for anyone professing to have a love for this corner of Britain, a determination to see it protected and a desire to learn more about the richness of its breeding birds.

(Mike Houston, in Conserving Lakeland (Friends of the Lake District); Winter/Spring 2003)

This stunning book, containing almost 400 full-colour pages, really is an astonishing accomplishment and should appeal greatly to anyone with an interest in the bird life of the North West.                           (Jon Carter in The Morecambe Visitor – 6th November 2002)