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Although
not exclusively about Thai birds, this book is most useful for resident
and visiting birders alike, particularly when visiting coastal areas
such as Khao Sam Roi
Yot, Bang
Poo, Laem
Pak Bia, Khok
Kham or Krabi.
Eighty-eight detailed plates show all of the world's 214 wader species
with distribution maps and identification notes on the opposite
page from the plates. Additionally, the second half of the book
provides detailed notes on identification, call, habits, migration
etc. The two sections of the book are nicely linked by referring
the reader to the right page for the text for each illustrated species,
meaning that it can be quickly found, rather than leaving the user
to flick through pages of text while trying not to lose the page
containing the picture. The book also contains a bibliography, which
is referenced throughout the book, for those wishing to read more
on any individual species and the index refers to plates and text,
and is concise, easy-to-use and contains both scientific and common
names together.
The size of
this book is a little large for an identification guide but
considering the large amount of information contained within it
the size remains manageable, although a large pocket would be needed
to carry it in the field. The illustrations are excellent, although
in some cases the plates are rather crammed full and sometimes it
is a little difficult to see immediately which is which. This small
problem is largely a result of the attempt that has been made to
keep the book as small as possible.
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This
book is invaluable to birdwatchers in Thailand in the identification
of some difficult shorebirds, particularly if trying to pick out
a Little Stint from thousands of Rufous-necked Stints, and is also
interesting if speculating which shorebirds could arrive as "new"
vagrants. Some distribution maps are interesting in that they reveal
some surprises, for example Swinhoe's Snipe would appear to be a
common winter visitor to Thailand, but in reality is almost never
recorded. This could reflect an inaccuracy in the maps or, more
likely, that this species is under recorded due to its similarity
to other species. If birders have any aspirations to pick out a
Swinhoe's Snipe from Common or Pintail, or indeed dealing with many
other similar species within Thailand or anywhere else in the world,
then this book is essential.
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