Algarve Wildlife, the natural year 2nd Edn, 2016 (ISBN: 978-0-9934502-0-4) by Clive Viney and Ray Tipper
First published in 2009, Algarve Wildlife - the natural year has been one of the most successful books about the region, and now First Nature is proud to present a fully revised and substantially enlarged second edition.
Away from the coastal hotspots is a seldom-seen Algarve - one of peaceful woodlands, flower-filled meadows and quiet river valleys all teeming with fascinating wildlife, from beautiful birds and butterflies to the more elusive chameleon and mongoose.
"...an excellent book for all those who come to the Algarve for the first time and are interested in seeing beyond the walls of the resort or the boundaries of a pleasant beach. It is also recommended for those who already know the region but feel they might be losing a good part of it. They are right: this is the book that will help them to notice and to appreciate the immensity of detail that composes the Algarve nature they seek to know better."
Ricardo Tomé, Past President of SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves / BirdLife Portugal)
SORRY - No more copies are available in the UK.
In PORTUGAL this book may still be available from the Mediterranean Gardening Association Portugal - more details here...
Since the launch of the first edition, in November 2009, this has been the Algarve's bestselling wildlife book.
Sample pages
Lavishly illustrated with some 600 colour photographs of birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, wildflowers and scenic views of the Algarve countryside, together with a map, directions and descriptions of top locations for wildlife and scenic walks.
Contents
This beautifully illustrated hardback book about the wildlife, ecology and scenic beauty of the Algarve is an authoritative wildlife diary of 288 pages and more than 600 large colour photographs. Written and illustrated by local experts drawing on decades of meticulous observation, it provides fortnightly guidance on what to see and where. Packed with a wealth of wildlife, wildflower and fungi information, fascinating facts for Algarve visitors and residents alike, Algarve Wildlife is written in clear language accessible to all readers, without losing the scientific accuracy sought by botanists, birdwatchers and other nature-lovers.
- A superbly illustrated, authoritative wildlife diary
- Written and illustrated by local experts drawing on decades of meticulous observation
- 288 pages (convenient A5 format, 21x16cm) and more than 600 large colour photographs
- Fortnightly guidance on what to see and where
- A wealth of wildlife and wildflower information
- Packed with fascinating facts for Algarve visitors and residents alike
Reviews of the first edition
"For many people [the Algarve] is an ideal holiday destination at any time of the year. This book takes a year (beginning in August) and looks at the way wildlife changes through the seasons - analysing each two-week period separately. Although both authors are well-known birders, there is plenty of information here for the all-round naturalist, and separate indexes are given for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, butterflies, other insects, plants and fungi." (Review in Birding World)
"After dozens of visits to the Algarve with no real idea of where to look and, most importantly, when to look for particular birds, wildflowers or fungi, I now have a guide that answers those vital questions. Such a time saver for anyone who has only limited holiday time and wants to use it as productively as possible. The pictures are superb, making identification so much easier. Thanks, Guys; your book is just the ticket (and excellent value too)." (Review on Amazon)
"I visit the Algarve often and am very interested in the local natural history.At last there is a book that gives first class information on the local ecology month by month. The book is abundantly illustrated with excellent photos taken by some of the best in the world. I would thoroughly recommend the book to anyone thinking of visiting the Algarve, particularly out of season. Those who only go in August miss the incredible abundance of wildlife in the Spring and the spectacular migrations of birds over Autumn. With this book in hand you will know what to look out for. For some reason it is difficult to find - incredibly it is not for sale at Faro airport! - so buy before you visit." (Review on Amazon)
About the authors
Clive Viney is the author of The Birds of Hong Kong and South China, which is available in English and Chinese and is the standard regional guide. First published in 1977 it is now in its eighth edition. Clive, a keen naturalist, spent most of his working life in Hong Kong where, as a trustee of World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, he was editor-in-chief of their magazine About Life.
Clive has written many articles and provided natural history input to Lonely Planet guides. Closely associated with the Algarve since 1988 and as a member of the Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves he has participated in most of their major surveying projects. He gives lectures on the birdlife of the Algarve, introducing visitors and residents to the profusion of wildlife in the region.
Ray Tipper began his birding on the North Kent Marshes at the age of eleven. He left Britain in 1973 spending most of the next 22 years in Hong Kong. As a trustee of WWF he was intimately involved with its renowned Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve. It was in Hong Kong that Ray turned to bird photography, which quickly became his major interest. Having gained associateship of the Royal Photographic Society in 1990, his photographs appear in journals and books throughout the world.
Ray leads specialist birdwatching tours all over the world and since 1997 has led some 80 tours in Europe, North and Central America, Asia and Madagascar. He spends much of his time in the Algarve, where his intimate knowledge of its birds has been recognised by his appointment as a member of the Portuguese Rarities Committee.