To celebrate the SBSG’s fiftieth anniversary, a group of writers, artists and
photographers from the SBSG’s membership began working together to produce a
fitting milestone to mark the occasion, building on the Group’s landmark publications
Birds of the Sheffield Area (1985) and Breeding Birds of the Sheffield Area (2013).
This substantial book of 440 colour pages, co-edited by Richard Hill and David
Wood, is the result of those efforts. Over the course of seven introductory chapters,
spanning almost 100 pages, it charts the history of birds and ornithology in the
Group’s recording area, from the archaeological record to the present day, with
glimpses into the likely future. The bulk of the book is devoted to detailed coverage,
via a full-page (or two-page) account, of all of the 300 species recorded in the
Sheffield area, each one accompanied by a local illustration or photograph. A
Foreword by Dawn Balmer, Head of Surveys at the BTO, an account of all escaped
species, a series of appendices, a list of references and a full index are also
included.
Following a presentation of the book by Richard and David, in which they will provide
an overview of its contents, as well as explaining how and why it came about, the
book will be available for collection by those who have pre-ordered it (see the
January Newsletter for details or click here). Subject to availability, it may also be
possible for members to purchase a copy on the night.
