A Practical Illustrated Guide to Attracting & Feeding Garden Birds: The Complete Book of Bird Feeders, Bird Tables, Birdbaths, Nest Boxes and Backyard Birdwatching

At first sight this looks to be a very good book which contains sections on feeding, birdbaths and several different types of nesting box. In short, one might even say "just what the doctor ordered!" Once you start looking for specific detail, however, it is often just not there.Many years ago (when living in Army married quarters) I built 3 nest boxes in a bid to attract the Blue Tit, Coat Tit and Great Tit. I had a book which contained RSPB recommended sizes for the access holes for each bird. My project was a success and all 3 birds knew exactly which box they should use - and did so!Now (many, many years later), I am trying to repeat that same exercise and, although I have long-forgotten the precise sizes, I do remember the hole for the Coal Tit was 2mm larger than the Blue Tit and the Great Tit was another 2mm larger again.This book contains several different plans for all manner of bird boxes - some of which look like extensive 'Blue Peter' projects which are overly pretty and far to delicate to be left outside. The remainder are, however, quite practical. Most useful of all are the detailed plans for each of these birdboxes found towards the end of the work. Every single dimension and description is there - except, in several cases, for the size of hole. According to this book when you do find that measurement it seems one size fits all.The problem is a simple one, if you do make that hole too large, and also take the trouble of placing a cute little perch immediately below it, predators (such as Starlings) will say thank you very much as they stick their heads inside and eat both eggs and chicks. What a shame the author didn't know that!NM

This is the second book of this type that id ordered, and wished I had got it first...I was looking fo advice on how to attract birds into the Garden and this gives you everything you need to know, from plants to grow in the garden, advice on seeds for attracting different varities of birds, ideas for bird box’s and bird tables, including drawings with measurements. It also has pictures and descriptions to help identify native UK varieties of birds. If you want to buy the one book that covers it all, then make it this one.

This is a great book! We wanted to identify birds feeding in our garden but there is much more in this book! My daughter has already found the part on making your own fat balls, surprisly a straight forward looking affair and something we have put on our to do list now! Very tactile book, lovely pictures and ideas, small enough to keep handy and use. Pleased with this purchase and would buy again

Product was fine. I didn’t need it so requested a return and after spending money on this book and then spending money on postage to return it, the buyer is refusing to give me my money back even though I have proof of postage and a reference number. Bad customer service and I wouldn’t recommend spending your money here. I’m a very upset customer.

This a fantastic book I’ve only glanced at it so far but what I’ve seen I’m very impressed by the ideas about getting birds into the garden.I would highly recommend.

Brilliant. It’s got all info about birds and nature. What to grow to attract bees, what breeds of birds, what and when to feed birds, how to get them into your garden, how to build a house for birds and hedgehogs. So much information. A good buy for kids and adults

Easy to find information, delightfully presented. Good value for money.

What a lovely book very pleased with this