Customer Reviews
Very expert, but very florid and dramatic - By: Gonzo, 24 Nov 2008 
There is no doubt whatsoever that this man knows his birds. However, the languagein which the information is presented is so florid & over dramatic, it seems (to me) to show a very strange, & anthropomorphic, view of nature. For example; his description of a Sparrowhawk (with it's 'psychotic stare') - making a kill - the chase 'running its sickening course'. I feel strongly that we humans interpret animal activity far too muchin human terms (often with moral overtones) & it distracts from real understanding; this kind of dramatization just compounds the confusion. Maybe he (or the publishers) feels that people do need this kind of presentation to maintain their interestin wildlife (a misplaced intention to 'popularise') - I don't feel that, &in fact I think it is misguided. Surely we are now grown up enough to see nature (moving & beautiful) simply as it is & we should not need it presented to us as a soap opera - with goodies & baddies & human style domestic tiffs. Shame, because the man clearly is very expert - & I would unreservedly recommend the only other book which I have read by him: 'Bird Migration'
Light reading and unsentimental approach - By: Julie Cutler, 29 Jul 2008 
I'm not quite as stunned as the other reviewers of this book. It'sin A4 format & contains a series of short articles (one to two pages long) about individual bird's behaviours divided into the months of the year. Photographs & paintings by Peter Partington are liberally scattered throughout.
Couzens has a very unsentimental, striking approach. He compares the strife at the bird tablein winter, as different individuals establish a pecking order, to desperate refugees fighting over humanitarian food drops. That Robin perching on your spade couldn't care less about you as a gardener- to the bird you're a substitute for a wild boar, disturbing the ground & bringing to light food.
Ultimately though it's a book to dip into as a pleasant read. It lacks real factual depth. whereas I agree with the other reviewers that it is a very pleasant book, it's not one that I wished to keep to read again.
An excellent book - By: Mr. C. D. Yates, 03 Sep 2007 
This book is a great read; the text is easy to read & is writtenin an engrossing style by the author. The illustrations really capture what the page is talking about. I can't see how anyone would not learn something about garden birds after reading this. It has made me watch my garden birds more closely. A highly recommended read.
Getting to know them... - By: Joy Kearney, 12 Jun 2007 I am thoroughly enjoying the information provided by this book, which is very well-written & clearly based on a great deal of personal bird-watching experiences. The illustrations are also of a very high quality, the drawings are superb! While I consider myself as quite knowledgeable with regard to birds, I have already learnt some new facts which I have not foundin other books, & am now getting to know birds intimately! Great book!
superb - By: firebear62, 19 Nov 2005 I get a lot of various species of birdin my garden & after spending years watching them, & their mannerisms, I treated myself to this book.
I have read it a few times, & now read each months section as we go into a new month. It has helped me understand the mannerisms of the birds & their reasoning for doing what they do. It's certainly given me a better understanding of the birds & what to look for, & has helped me to attract more birds into the garden.
A pleasure to read & extremely informative. If you enjoy our feathered friendsin your garden, then this is a must for you. I'm now ordering more for christmas gifts.
