Geoff Lockwood's Garden Birds of Southern Africa

Garden Birds of Southern Afica - Written and illustrated by Geoff Lockwood - Reprint 1982 - Sable Publishers, Sandton - 180p - 104 birds illustrated in colour, index - Hardcover and dustcover in good condition: minimum wear - Internally clean and tightly bound.

Large format and heavy book: will require extra postage.

It is not necessary to tramp through the wilds or venture on organised expeditions to enjoy the wealth of birdlife abounding in southern Africa. Many of these fascinating creatures can be closely observed in (and encouraged to visit) our own gardens, as this colourful book sets out to show.

Depicted in colour are 104 garden birds that regularly - and readily - visit us at home and sometimes, if conditions are right, make their homes in our gardens. Despite our progressive urbanisation and use of toxic chemicals in our gardening methods, many birds continue to remain, in varying degrees, in proximitry to man.

Geiff Lockwood's colour plates were specially commissioned for this book and make recognition both easy and pleasurable. His authoritative text amplifies the paintings by describing each bird in detail, from its haunts to its size, plumage, call, diet and nesting habits. Further, illustrated by line drawings, he describes ways of enticing birds into our gardens - from the planting of suitable trees, bushes and shrubs to the provision of food, water and nesting boxes. There are also many useful 'tips', such as caring for young birds, bird-watching equipment and clubs to join.

Garden Birds of Southern Africa has a two-fold purpose: apart from the purely aesthetic appeal of its beautiful plates, the illustrations and text combine to form a simple reference work that will lead to the easy identification and better understanding of those garden birds that enrich our lives. It is an ideal gift for the bird-lover and also the novice (perhaps a child?)  in whom one would wish to encourage an awareness of our birds.

Content:

1. Introducing birds

2. Birdwatching

3. Birdcaping your garden

4. Caring for sick,injured or young bird

5. Identifying birds

• Appendix 1: Trees and plants for the garden

• Appendix 2: Alternative to pesticides

• Appendix 3: Useful addresses