Crossbill Guides is a series of attractively produced nature travel guides on major European natural areas. Madeira is Portugal's emerald island - wild, rough and verdant green, situated roughly 850km southwest of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Together with the much smaller and drier island of Porto Santo and the saw-toothed crescent of the Desertas islands, it forms a small archipelago that is a splendid destination for nature lovers and hikers. The misty laurel forests and sunny peaks are packed with a rare, unique flora and fauna, while whales, dolphins, sea turtles and large numbers of seabirds patrol the surrounding ocean. Hikers, birdwatchers, botanists, whalewatchers and other nature lovers¿¿¿. this is your naturalist guide to Madeira. The Crossbill Guide to Madeira describes 15 routes and numerous other sites to discover Madeira and Porto Santo. In addition, it describes excursions on the ocean, the Desertas islands and the remote Selvagens archipelago to explore Madeira's sea life. The book is complemented with extensive chapters on landscape, geology, history, descriptions of the flora and fauna and tips to observe wildlife. Includes the islands of Porto Santo, Desertas and Salvagens.

This beautifully illustrated photographic field guide is the first to focus on the identification of the fascinating, diverse and unique wildlife of Madeira and the Canary Islands--featuring the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies that are most likely to be seen. Richly illustrated introductory sections cover the key wildlife sites to visit on each of the islands and provide an overview of the islands' geography, climate, habitat types and current conservation efforts. Stunning colour photographs highlight the key identification features of each species, and the accompanying text covers status, habitat preference, behaviour and, where appropriate, calls. The guide also features an up-to-date distribution map for each species. Complete with an attractive, user-friendly design, this is a must-have guide for all visitors to these magical islands. A beautifully designed and illustrated photographic field guide to the wildlife of Madeira and the Canary Islands Highlights the islands' unique native species and their conservation status Covers all birds, land and marine mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies that are likely to be seen Features richly illustrated introductory sections on key sites to visit on each of the islands, covering their geography, climate, habitats and conservation Includes distribution maps for all species, as well as information on occurrence, status, habitat preference, behaviour and calls

This beautifully illustrated photographic field guide is the first to focus on the identification of the fascinating, diverse and unique wildlife of Madeira and the Canary Islands--featuring the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies that are most likely to be seen. Richly illustrated introductory sections cover the key wildlife sites to visit on each of the islands and provide an overview of the islands' geography, climate, habitat types and current conservation efforts. Stunning colour photographs highlight the key identification features of each species, and the accompanying text covers status, habitat preference, behaviour and, where appropriate, calls. The guide also features an up-to-date distribution map for each species. Complete with an attractive, user-friendly design, this is a must-have guide for all visitors to these magical islands. A beautifully designed and illustrated photographic field guide to the wildlife of Madeira and the Canary Islands Highlights the islands' unique native species and their conservation status Covers all birds, land and marine mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and dragonflies that are likely to be seen Features richly illustrated introductory sections on key sites to visit on each of the islands, covering their geography, climate, habitats and conservation Includes distribution maps for all species, as well as information on occurrence, status, habitat preference, behaviour and calls

The most comprehensive single-volume field guide to Madagascar's wildlife The Indian Ocean island of Madagascar is one of the world's great natural treasures and ecotourism destinations. Despite being an island, it is home to nearly an entire continent’s variety of species, from the famous lemurs to a profusion of bizarre and beautiful birds, reptiles and amphibians. Wildlife of Madagascar is a compact and beautifully illustrated photographic guide, and an essential companion for any visitor or resident. With an eye-catching design, authoritative and accessible text and easy-to-use format, it provides information on identification, distribution, habitat, behaviour, biology and conservation for all the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies likely to be seen. The most comprehensive single-volume field guide to Madagascar’s wildlife Attractive layout features more than 900 stunning colour photographs Covers the mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies, and some of the other invertebrates and plants, most likely to be seen Provides key information about identification, distribution, habitat, behaviour and conservation Introductory sections provide background information on Madagascar and its unique environments

.".. book which explores the journey of celebrating the link between people and nature, the book reveals how plants, animals and landscapes are profoundly reflected in Xhosa language, stories, poetry, religious rituals, healing practices and everyday customs that define Xhosa culture. Over the years cultural and spiritual meaning of nature in South Africa has been poorly recorded and often misunderstood. The current trade of medicinal plants is often destructive and unsustainable with an estimated 27 million South Africans making use of indigenous medicines. This is a serious detriment as natural resources have been a reliant for underprivileged people who gain food, fuel, medicines, and building materials from wild plants. Therefore the addition of information on edible and medicinal plants is of extreme importance ... Voices from the Forest gives a fresh positive approach to biodiversity conservation in SA by showing that people\2019s values for natural resources can be considered positively as a way forward to continued sustainable use. The book explores the role that nature plays in the cultural and spiritual landscapes of the Xhosa people in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and serves as a pointer to sustainable practices in the future. The underlying aim is ultimately sustaining cultural heritage and conserving biodiversity because in our modernising world cultural diversity is threatened by the loss of natural diversity and finding ways of protecting the region's biodiversity and cultural diversity is of vital importance"--Publisher's website.

This new Crossbill Guide to Finnish Lapland is fully revised and updated. It describes the nature and wildlife of Finnish Lapland, one of the last great wildernesses of Europe. Lapland is Finland's northernmost province and lies almost entirely above the Arctic Circle. A visit to Finnish Lapland is an experience that is hard to capture in words. The land is vast and roads are few. Deep in this wilderness, animals, such as Brown Bear, Wolverine, Wolf, Lynx and Elk, roam. Huge expanses of coniferous forests, impenetrable bogs and vast open fells make up this awe-inspiring landscape. As any Crossbill Guide, this title gives 22 detailed route descriptions and 23 site descriptions. Topics include: Landscape history " Ecosystems " Geology " Flora and Fauna " Where to watch birds " Finding orchids and other wildflowers. The Crossbill Guide to Finnish Lapland and the Kuusamo region introduces you to a fascinating northern wilderness and provides you with itineraries so you can discover the area at your own pace.

A field guide to the wildlife of southern Africa, describing over 2,000 plants and animals, with accurate illustrations in full colour. This book has been a trusted fi eld companion for many years. Comprehensively updated, it now features range maps for most groups. The chapters are colour-coded for easy reference, and diagnostic features appear in bold type within the descriptions. Each chapter is written by a leading expert in the field. All the main plant and animal groups are covered: Lower invertebrates, Spiders and other arachnids, Insects, Freshwater fishes, Frogs, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals, Grasses, sedges, ferns and fungi, Wild flowers, Trees

This book provides a compact identification guide to the animals and plants of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago and Gough Island, with more than 400 colour photographs.

The Dark side of the Kalahari is Hannes Lochner's third and latest addition to his book collection. He recently returned from a two year, 100 000 Km journey in the Kalahari (Kgalagadi) Desert, capturing the life of a single leopard female and her struggle to raise cubs in this extremely harsh environment.