Press Reviews
This section also includes links to and a listing of the main reviews that the book has received in the press, journals and magazines, as well as comments received from readers.
- North Devon Journal – 04 October 2007 – the original article on the North Devon Journal web site is no longer available. The text of the article is reproduced here.
- Western Morning News – 13 October 2007 – the original article on the Western Morning News web site is no longer available. The text of the article is reproduced here.
- North Devon Journal – 29 November 2007 – the original article on the North Devon Journal web site is no longer available. The text of the article is reproduced here.
- BTO News 273 – November-December 2007
"Lundy was well and truly put on the map with the first British and Western Palaearctic occurrence of an Ancient Murrelet. The authors have done their homework, with all nine 'firsts' being very well documented. The first part of the book covers the history of Lundy and the role it has played in British bird conservation. The systematic list forms the heart of the book. The text is brought to life by the excellent illustrations. This book is a must for anyone with an interest in the birds of Lundy or an interest in Britain's ornithological history." Paul Stancliffe
- Ibis (2008) 150: 211
"This attractive book adds to the long tradition of Lundy literature, the last full account having been in 1980. The island, situated at the entrance to the Bristol Channel, has not been an official Observatory since the 1970s, though many birdwatchers come in the passage seasons. Ringing has continued, but the total record is less complete than it might be on Fair Isle or Skokholm. The authors keep a healthy balance between the breeders (including the House Sparrows Passer domesticus reintroduced for genetic study) and the exotics. The famous tale of the Great Auks Alca impennis is retold, and the Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus is not neglected. There are fewer breeding seabirds than there were 50 years ago and almost no Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica, but recent deratting has given a chance to Manx Shearwaters Puffinus puffinus. Seawatching seems oddly neglected. A useful summary of changes is given on a page labelled 'Ups and downs'. There are excellent drawings by Mark Langham [Mike Langman], and a helpfully detailed map." D.K.B. [David Ballance]
- British Birds 101: 161 (March 2008)
"During the last decade, I have visited Lundy on ten occasions with fellow Cambridgeshire birders Ade and Steve Cooper. Our main references regarding the status of Lundy birds until now have been the collection of annual reports contained within our accommodation. This volume has changed all that. ..." see full review here. Richard Patience
- Devon Birds (April 2008) 61(1): 47-48
"My modest 80-page book, The Birds of Lundy that was published in 1980 (covering all records to the end of 1978) gave full status to 274 species, including seven firsts for Britain. Fairly continuous manning by Lundy Field Society wardens from 1947 to 1967 and in 1972-73 enabled histograms to be used to portray the patterns of migration. Times have changed." ... see full review here. Nick Dymond
- Birding World (2007) 20(11): 484
"Until this book was published, anyone interested in the birds of Lundy had to refer to the authoritative The Birds of Lundy by J.N. Dymond, which gave accounts for 274 species. However, this was published some 27 years ago and, since then, there have been many changes: a host of additional rarity records (including two firsts for Britain and the Western Palearctic), and some dramatic changes amongst the commoner birds, including Lapwings ceasing to be a breeding bird, and Puffin numbers having declined, while Manx Shearwaters have been confirmed breeding for the first time in living memory..." see full review here. Richard Campey
- Scottish Bird News (March 2008) 87: 22-23
"As well as being important for seabirds, the 3.5 mile long Lundy Island rivals Fair Isle and the Isles of Scilly as one of the places for watching spring and autumn migrants in Britain. Although situated 10 miles off the North Devon coast, and so well away from SOC home territory, from personal experience I can recommend a visit to Lundy to SOC members. It is a charming place, with plenty of good accommodation and, even better, a pub..." see full review here. John Savory
- The New Puffin Journal (Summer 2008)
"Even to a non bird enthusiast, this book is of immense interest. A large volume of 320 pages, it contains what must be details of every sighting or report of birds on Lundy since Chanter. The book is also very informative generally, with reference to absolutely every aspect of bird watching, bird ringing and reporting that has ever taken place on the island. ..." see full review here. Roger Allen
- Journal of the Lundy Field Society (2008) 1: 98
"I had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book for several years, and I am pleased to report that the wait was worth it – this is a superb book. The 'Two Tims', Davis and Jones, are part of a small but dedicated group of birders with Lundy in their blood, but they have avoided the pitfall of producing a book which is so esoteric that it excludes all but the inner circle. This book is attractive, readable and completely accessible to expert and novice alike; and it just cries to be 'dipped into'. ..." see full review here. Colin McShane
- Transactions of the Devon Association (2009) Volume 140
"As a boy and teenager I heard stories related by my grandfather, Robert Henry McCarthy, about how he and other boys living on Lundy in the late nineteenth century spent time (when they weren't being tutored by Squire Heaven) 'egging' on the cliffs. Sometimes they were secured by a top rope, but on other occasions they just scrambled around the steep slopes and rock faces. How I wish I had taken more notice of what he had told me, but apart from these bare facts it all went over my head. ..." see full review here. Brian Le Messurier
Readers' Comments
- Mark Darlaston – Received by email, 10 October 2007
"[The book] looks superb, well researched and nicely put together – well done. I will take great pleasure in reading it."
- Colin McShane – Received by email, 16 October 2007
"I think you both have done a masterly job in combining readability with scholarship – a truly magnificent masterpiece which is both a model for others and an extremely useful addition to any library, especially anyone interested in Lundy."
- Tim Ball – Received by email, 9 November 2007
"Having now had a chance to have a proper look at the book I have to say that it is one of the best site avifaunas I have ever read. Your writing style is really pleasant, you appear to have done a great comprehensive review and I love the extra info boxes and little anecdotes from the logbook etc. Really well done - hope it sells like hot cakes."
- Jon Avon – Received by email, 26 November 2007
"Thank you for your signed copy of the Birds of Lundy [which] this last week I have been able to get stuck into during a few evenings. I suppose, having led volunteer groups each year to Lundy, I'm fairly familiar with the island, the birds and the tavern and therefore this book is a little treasure in bringing back memories as well as providing a depth of information on the birds. I have to say it is now one of my favourites in my library and one which I will return to on a regular basis. An excellent read and full of interest - brilliant - many congratulations to you both on a job well done. I hope others find it as useful and informative."
- Rob Skeates – Received 22 December 2007
"Congratulations on the production of your superb book! Excellent – well done."
- Dave Clifton – Received by email, 29 December 2007
"Just thought I would drop you a line to congratulate you on a first class book which has managed to combine well researched data in a very readable format. Well done."
- Chris Dee – Received by email, 13 January 2008
"Congratulations are due on an excellent publication, in particular for your diligence in researching inconsistently reported records. It is hard these days, to make an avifauna stand out from the crowd, but your attention to the contextual chapters and the highlight boxes throughout make this a delight to read as well as a valuable reference work. I was personally gratified by your frequent reference to the rich accumulation of ringing data. I'll unashamedly be using this as a style reference as we begin work on a new Hertfordshire avifauna."
- Chas Povey – Received by email, 23 February 2008
"Hi from near Vancouver Canada, I just found your website - I was searching 'Hoopoe' and 'Lundy' because I recently acquired a pen and ink original by John Dyke of "Hoopoe resting outside kitchen window, The Old Light, Lundy, 1949" [see the image on the right]. So, interesting to see it was a hoopoe on Lundy that fired Tim Davis's interest in ornithology. I have e-mailed [RM Young Bookseller] to order a hardback copy (and if possible a signed copy!) so very much look forward to reading your work. My interest in all things Lundy dates from my growing up in Bideford. I have an extensive collection of stamps and postal history and a collection of the life and work of John Dyke, as well as a fairly comprehensive Lundy library to which I will be pleased to add your book."
- Geir Mobakken, Utsira Island, Norway – Received by email, 9 May 2008
"Received! A nice production, I liked it very much indeed. Clear and well written.it seems that Lundy and Utsira have at least something in common, apart from both having 317 species recorded. Thank you very much!"
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Updates and additions to the various sections of the book itself are all listed on this website in the SPECIES UPDATES section. This page will be updated on an annual basis with records from the previous year's LFS Logbook, in particular news of birds on Lundy which adds significantly to the information provided in The Birds of Lundy book, such as species new to the island, other major rarities, and particularly interesting sightings of more common birds.
Wheatear by Mike Langman, from The Birds of Lundy
For the latest sightings and photos of birds on Lundy visit www.lundybirds.org.uk.