The Skuas

The Skuas

Author: Robert W. Furness

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 2010-10-30

Total Pages: 366

ISBN-13: 1408136686

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A comprehensive monograph of the skua. Many birdwatchers may never have seen a skua; those who have will most probably have vivid memories of one or other species flying powerfully past a headland, or twisting and diving in pursuit of its piratical intentions towards a food-laden seabird - or, perhaps more memorably still, of themselves taking evasive action from the power-diving irate skua whose territory they have unwisely invaded. The full classification of the skuas is still debated, but Dr Furness of the Applied Ornithology Unit, Glasgow University, favours six species, of two genera, with five subspecies, based on current knowledge and his own long and dedicated field studies and research. All of the species are treated comparatively under the following chapter titles: Early history and classification, Distributions and populations, Migration patterns, Reversed sexual size dimorphism, Behaviour, Food and feeding, Kleptoparasitism, Plumage polymorphism, Breeding systems and social organisation, Breeding - laying to hatching, Breeding - hatching to fledging, Population dynamics, Pollutants, Skuas and agriculture, Skuas and conservation. The text is supported by 100 maps and diagrams, 30 photographs and 65 tables. In addition, John Busby contributes 35 evocative drawings which more than embellish this erudite and readable summary of an impressive and diverse group of birds. Jacket paintings by John Busby.


A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia

A Field Guide to the Wildlife of South Georgia

Author: Robert Burton

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2021-08-10

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 1400844932

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South Georgia is rich in wildlife and spectacular scenery, and it is a prime destination spot on most Antarctic tours. This beautifully illustrated field guide depicts the birds, mammals, insects, flowering plants, and other vegetation found in this unique part of the world. It features 368 full-color photographs of more than 180 species, including 65 species of birds, 20 species of sea mammals, nearly 60 species of insects, and more than 40 species of flowering and nonflowering plants. Detailed species accounts describe key identification features, with information on status, behavior, threats, and distribution. This one-of-a-kind photographic guide also includes introductory chapters on South Georgia's geography, climate, ecology, and conservation. Features 368 photos of more than 180 species Covers birds, sea mammals, insects, and plants Provides detailed species accounts Includes chapters on geography, climate, ecology, and conservation The only photographic field guide to focus specifically on South Georgia


A Visitor's Guide to South Georgia

A Visitor's Guide to South Georgia

Author: Sally Poncet

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2021-08-10

Total Pages: 184

ISBN-13: 0691234426

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This is the only illustrated guide specifically tailored to the needs of visitors to this remote and captivating part of the world, and it is the ideal book for armchair naturalists. A Visitor's Guide to South Georgia features hundreds of color photographs of the diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery to be found at this unique tourist destination. It includes extensive and up-to-date coverage of all wildlife groups—from albatrosses and petrels to seals and penguins—as well as color maps and detailed information for the 23 key visitor sites. This stunning photographic guide describes the history, geology, and culture of South Georgia. It also provides a checklist of all fauna and flora as well as valuable tips for visitors to the islands, and the book’s wirebound format enables it to fold out flat for easy use in a water-protective holder. Features hundreds of photos Covers all wildlife groups Includes maps and information for the 23 key visitor sites Describes South Georgia’s unique history, geology, and culture Provides a checklist of all fauna and flora Gives valuable tips for visitors


Skuas and Jaegers

Skuas and Jaegers

Author: Klaus Malling Olsen

Publisher: A&C Black

Published: 2013-09-05

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 1408189070

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Skuas (and jaegers) are a fascinating and popular group of seabirds that make up a subfamily of just seven species. They can be divided into two main groups: the larger species of Catharacta skuas which are mainly found in the southern hemisphere (with Great Skua breeding in the north), and the three Stercorarius species (also known as jaegers) which breed in the northern hemisphere. Both northern and southern skuas breed at high latitudes and several species are long-distance migrants, performing spectacular migrations through most of the world's oceans, sometimes even flying overland. The individual plumage variation in some species is enormous, creating one of the most puzzling yet fascinating challenges in modern field identification. This is the first complete identification guide to the skuas of the world. It is designed to enable species identification and correct ageing, and the information presented is based on years of study in the field, detailed examination of photographs and museum skins, and extensive research of the relevant literature. The comprehensive text is accompanied by twelve exquisite colour plates by Hans Larsson, illustrating a wide range of plumages. In addition, there are eight pages of colour photographs and numerous black and white photographs and drawings that show key identification features. With this book, the seabird enthusiast should at last be able to identify almost every skua encountered, whether on a seawatch or at sea.


The AdŽlie Penguin

The AdŽlie Penguin

Author: David G. Ainley

Publisher: Columbia University Press

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 9780231123068

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When sea-ice declines, so does the population of Adelie penguins, making this species a predictive indicator of the effects of global warming. This book summarizes our present ecological knowledge of this species: its biology, behavior, and ecology within the Antarctic ecosystem; the ecological factors important to its life history; and details of the mechanisms by which it is responding to climate change. The narrative is complemented by richly written texts from the earliest Antarctic naturalists, fine illustrations from the accomplished artist Lucia deLeiris, and photographs by the author.


Antarctic Bird Studies

Antarctic Bird Studies

Author: Oliver L. Austin, Jr.

Publisher: American Geophysical Union

Published: 1991-01-08

Total Pages: 271

ISBN-13: 0875901123

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Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Antarctic Research Series, Volume 12. The birds of Antarctica, and particularly the penguins, have aroused man's interest and his scientific curiosity ever since he first learned of their existence less than two centuries ago. Yet scientific study of them has until recently been only a minor objective of the various expeditions that have visited this most recently discovered and still the least known and least accessible of the continents. The antarctic explorers of the 19th century regarded the birds essentially as a potential source of easily gathered food for men and sled-dogs—and they so used them well into the 20th century. What few bird data and specimens they brought back they acquired largely fortuitously.


Birds of the UK Overseas Territories

Birds of the UK Overseas Territories

Author: Roger Riddington

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2020-07-23

Total Pages: 477

ISBN-13: 1472977289

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An authoritative guide to birds of the UK Overseas Territories. The UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) are scattered across the globe. Most are small islands or island complexes, occurring from the Caribbean to the furthest reaches of the South Atlantic, via the Indian and Pacific Oceans. In terms of global biodiversity, these territories are remarkably significant. Among landscapes that range from coral atolls, through mangroves and dry forests to the ice sheets of Antarctica, the UKOTs support no fewer than 45 species of birds currently considered to be globally threatened. They are also home to a third of all the world's breeding albatrosses, and nine of the world's 17 species of penguin. In a rapidly changing world, the UKOTs symbolise global crises in climate and biodiversity. Threats faced by their wildlife range from mortality of seabirds at sea through industrial fisheries, and on land as a result of introduced ground predators, to the utter devastation of hurricanes in the Caribbean, which provide a stark reminder of our changing climate. The human impact on the wildlife of our planet has been increasing for centuries, but the next few decades promise to be critical. This book, illustrated with maps and colour photos, explores the birds and other wildlife of each of the 14 UKOTs, with a particular focus on environmental threats and conservation priorities. Written by authors with a deep connection to the sites, this book represents an important stocktake of the biological richness of these special places in the early 21st century.


The New Wild

The New Wild

Author: Fred Pearce

Publisher: Beacon Press

Published: 2015-04-07

Total Pages: 265

ISBN-13: 0807033693

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Introducing environmental conservation for the 21st century—one that reframes how we think about invasive species and champions nature’s biodiversity and capacity for change For a long time, veteran environmental journalist Fred Pearce thought in stark terms about invasive species: they were the evil interlopers spoiling pristine “natural” ecosystems. Most conservationists and environmentalists share this view. But what if the traditional view of ecology is wrong—what if true environmentalists should be applauding the invaders? In The New Wild, Pearce travels across 6 continents to rethink conservation and restoration in the 21st century, offering a paradigm-shifting exploration of the “new ecologists” who believe invasive species aren’t a scourge but a sign of nature’s strength. Rather than fighting a losing battle to protect what we imagine to be pristine, we need to encourage nature’s rebirth by celebrating the species that are most able to adapt. In an era in which humans have affected every inch of the planet through globalization and climate change, there are no undisturbed ecosystems—and most are a mixture of native and alien who get along just fine. But by embracing the new ecology, we can help nature regenerate. To be an environmentalist in the 21st century means embracing nature’s wildness and capacity for change.