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Book Review: Australasian Eagles and Eagle-like Birds

Jade Craven · April 6, 2020 ·

There are multiple books on Australian birds of prey. I’ve reviewed many of them on this blog. Yet until recently, there hadn’t been a comprehensive overview of all raptor species.

Australasian Eagles and Eagle-like Birds solves part of this problem. The author, Stephen Debus, has been studying and observing Australia’s raptor species for over 40 years. He provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on the Australiasian eagles and eagle-like birds.

The book is a much needed contribution to the literature about birds of prey and is one that I highly recommend.

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Book Review: A Naturalist’s Guide to the Mammals of Australia

Jade Craven · March 30, 2020 ·

Australia is well known for its diverse range of mammals. Some species – such as the koala and kangaroo – have captured the imagination of both tourists and locals. Despite the notoriety, many people would underestimate the sheer diversity of mammals in Australia.

This is understandable. The behavior and habitat requirements of many species mean that most people don’t get the opportunity to observe them.

A Naturalist Guide To Mammals of Australia aims to change that. The beginner-friendly field guide provides an overview of 300 species of mammals in Australia.

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Book Review: Garden Pests, Diseases & Good Bugs

Jade Craven · March 23, 2020 ·

There are many useful books to help amateurs identify insects. Most of these focus on identifying the insect and helping the reader understand how they interact with the environment.

Garden Pests, Diseases & Good Bugs takes a different approach. It just focuses on the insects that you will find in your garden. The goal is to help you figure out which insects are beneficial and which insects will cause issues. This can help you find natural, non-toxic ways to control the pest species.

This book is essential reading if you are a gardener.

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Book Review: Birds Of Prey Of Australia

Jade Craven · March 16, 2020 ·

I love birds of prey. But, even with my plethora of field guides, I struggle. I can be comparing images, sometimes from multiple guides, and still get confused. It got to the point where I needed a guide dedicated to just birds of prey.

Birds Of Prey Of Australia is a mixture of field guide and handbook.. It is separated into two parts: one focusing just on identification and one dedicated to exploring the behaviour and characteristics of a species in more detail.

It is one of the best guides I own and one that I would recommend to any bird enthusiast.

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Book Review: Shrimps, prawns and lobsters

Jade Craven · March 9, 2020 ·

Shrimps are a common feature of most Victorian rockpools. Most species, however, aren’t that easy to identify. They move quickly and can have translucent features. This guide aims to help amateur naturalists and beachcombers identify the common species of shrimps, prawns and lobsters.

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