Nature Books Australia

Recommended books for naturalists

Book Review: Insects of South-Eastern Australia

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I became fascinated with insects (and related species) when I got a macro lens. Suddenly, a new world opened up. I started to notice species that I’d never given any attention to before. I wanted to learn about this new world.

I initially picked up Backyard Insect; a book that I would still recommend as the ideal introduction to Australian insects. There came a point where I wanted to expand my knowledge base.

Enter Insects of South-Eastern Australia. The book is described as a regional insect identification field guide based on feeding category and host plant. It is also an introduction to the insects of the region, including their environment, classification, life history, feeding strategies and behaviour.

In this review, I’ll explore who this book is for and how it compares to similar books on the market.

How does it stand out?

Most other introductory books about insects focus on the species that you can find in your backyard garden. They are designed to be accessible to newbies and to encourage readers to observe the common species in their neighbourhood. It can be a big step from those books to your standard field guide. Insects of South-Eastern Australia is a useful in-between book. It provides an introduction to taking an ecological and behavioural approach to identification and then organizes species according to their feeding strategies.

This is very useful, as it encourages you to look beyond the basic appearance when making the observations. Readers are encouraged to seek out identifications according to whether an insect is a plant feeder, predator, parasitoid or decomposer. This requires a bit more work but the skills are useful with other nature observations.

Does it have any flaws?

Part 1 was information overload.

There were 10 sections in part 1, covering the basics of insect classification and their behaviour. Some of these chapters were so brief that it is almost worth skipping over.

For example, the Defining an Insect chapter had a very poor graphic that showed you the different parts of an insect. The 1 paragraph dedicated to defining an insect is a complete letdown; it is too technical and hard to visualize. It was still useful for the picture examples of species that shouldn’t be confused with insects. The chapter about types of environments only had one brief paragraph to describe each type. It would have been better off skipping this chapter altogether.

This was a repeated theme and one that was frustrating. I can understand the limitations, as the book was already dense at 261 pages. It left me wanting more.

The layout was disorganized

One key frustration was that the layout felt disjointed and interrupted the reading. This was especially noticeable in the first half, where paragraphs were frequently interruption with pictures and their captions. This made for frustrating reading. This was less of a problem once I got past the introductory chapters.

Another issue was the lack of subheadings. This made the book difficult to skim. The information boxes attempted to remedy this, and they were easier to ready. Their presence often felt like an interruption though which took me away from the rest of the chapter.

Do I recommend it?

Yes… and no.

This book is recommended for those who are advanced beginners. I would recommend it for those who have bought Backyard Insects and find that it no longer suits their needs. It takes more of an educational approach; instead of flipping through it, it forces you to think about the insect in relation to its environment. However while it is jam packed full of information, you have to work for it. The layout issues and potential information overwhelm can be a put off.

I would recommend it for advanced beginners; those who have bought Backyard Insects and find that it no longer suits their needs. The information is disorganized but you can flick through the book and refer to it later as your knowledge increases. This is especially worth it when reading the hidden tidbits in the captions.

Keep in mind that it not a good book if you are just seeking an identification; although there are plenty of pictures. More for those who know they want to learn more about insects but don’t know where to start.

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Book Review: The Woodhen: A Flightless Bird Defying Exinction

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In 1980, the Lord Howe Island woodhen was considered to be highly endangered. Just 15 individuals were found when surveying the island, with the species facing multiple threats as the result of human colonization. Within 10 years of the captive breeding program, the numbers reached 200. This is fantastic success in any threatened species recovery, especially when you consider that 200-250 birds is the islands carrying capacity.

The author described this book as an historical and biological summary of the dramatic decline and
amazing resurrection of the world’s woodhen population. He definitely succeeded. The Woodhen is an important contribution to the literature surrounding threatened species recovery. It is, however, incredibly niche – and wont be useful for most readers.

A lot of time is spent establishing context.

About a half of the book is spent discussing the history of the island and of the rail family in general. This is necessary to help the reader understand just how many risks the woodhen faced. Humans brought with them a range of threats, including invasive species, that the woodhens had no defences against. In many ways, the history has many similarities with that of the night parrot. The main differences were the geographic isolation and the limited population of the island. This means that less time is spent discussing the woodhen. This is pretty normal for books that document threatened species recovery programs. These chapters can be incredibly useful when you compare the issues to those faced on other islands.

It does mean that there are four chapters dedicated the original demise of the woodhen population and the subsequent recovery efforts. This equals just 50 pages, or one third of the book. This is because the breeding program was so successful that it required more summarizing and documenting than analysis. This is brilliant for the recovery program and the species. It does mean that there is less to learn from the example. If you do read it, I would read similar books regarding threatened species on Australian islands such as A Bat’s End.

The writing is dry compared to similar books in the genre

I’m cautious about recommending books about threatened species recovery to beginner and intermediate naturalists due to the subject matter being quite dry. I do make the occasional exception based on how compelling the writing is. Some books about threatened species can be so captivating that they inspire you to seek out ways to help.

This isn’t one of those books. This is largely due to the success of the breeding program itself rather than any fault on behalf of the author. There were no major failures or deception on behalf of those involved with the program. Lord Howe Island also faced less environmental threats compared to Christmas Island. I was only able to finish reading the book because I’m fascinated by the ecology of Lord Howe Island and am keen to one day see the woodhen. I really had to push myself.

Do I recommend it?

No. I believe it this book is an important contribution literature surrounding threatened species. There is a lot that ecologists and others interested in threatened species recovery can learn from the success of the program. However the subject matter is so niche that it isn’t useful for most birdwatchers and naturalists. Their time would be better spent on a subject matter more relevant to their interests. I’d recommend it to those who, like myself, are fascinated by the bird and want to learn as much about it as they can.

Buy from Booktopia or your local bookshop

Book Review: Wildlife of the Otways and Shipwreck Coast

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I love the Otways. I visit Apollo Bay frequently and have spent hours searching for uncommon birds in the area. I had been able to piece together information about the local area by scouring information centres and taking multiple field guides on each trip. This took a lot of effort and meant that I had to rely on anecdotal evidence when seeking information.

This book is separated into five different chapters, however their are three that really stand out.

Otways And Shipwreck coast habitats

This chapter is one of my favourite sections, even if it only lasts 22 pages. Palmer briefly explores each type of habitat and shares both the highlights and commonly encountered wildlife. Each description is accompanied by a map and a photo that represents the environment. The descriptions and images take up roughly one page. Some may find that this information is too brief. It is useful as background information but may still leave you looking up other resources. I didn’t mind the brevity and believe that it is the perfect length for a beginner.

Species Accounts

The species accounts take up the majority of the book at 160 pages. Each page features two species with information about identifiable features, habitat preference and the best locations to find them. This is where the book really shines. I was aware of the diversity of wildlife in the area and was familiar with most of the featured species. I still learned a lot. There are sections dedicated to birds, frogs, mammals, reptiles and introduced species.

These profiles stand out because the information is explicitly targeted towards Otways and Shipwreck coast. Some of the profiles narrow down the locations to incredibly specific areas, such as reserves or dams. This saves a lot of research time. It is also fun to flick through and just learn about new species. Did you know that there is a skink that can be found 50 metres about ground? I’m not much of a herper, but this book has gotten me interested in tracking down some new species.

The bird section was pretty impressive. I’m primarily a birdwatcher and have become pretty familiar with the birds in the Otways. I have seen most of them and understand their favourite habitats. I was concerned that this would impact the enjoyment of the book, as the bird section takes up over 107 pages. I was still able to pick up little bits of new information, such as how a robins range changes with new seasons.

Key Wildlife Viewing Spots

This chapter ‘profiles representative examples of the diversity of wildlife habitats that offer excellent opportunities to encounter a wealth of wildlife.’ 14 local areas are covered, with 3-4 pages for each area. Each section gives a brief overview of the area, talks about the key species you can find and recommends the best place to visit in each area.

This section is useful but it a bit of a let down. The spots listed tend to cover largish areas, which can result in first time visitors being overwhelmed. Palmer does list the best way to encounter wildlife in these areas but is limited to a couple of paragraphs. This chapter is useful for narrowing information down but does lead to some trial and error for beginner naturalists.

Additionally, many smaller locations were overlooked. This is understandable, considering the book is nearly 300 pages long. I’d recommend seeing this chapter as a starting point.

Do I recommend it?

Yes! I was surprised at how much I was able to learn. I’ve spent a lot of time learning about various Otway ecosystems and thought I was pretty knowledgeable. I’m surprisingly happy to be proven wrong. I’ll be taking the book with me on future trips and will plan specific trips around finding specific mammals and reptiles. I believe this book is a fantastic resource for any naturalist. I’d primarily recommend it to those at the beginner-intermediate level.

Those who have lived in the region for some time or who are involved in naturalist groups may not get as much out of it. In these situations, it may not be worth the financial investment. It depends how far they have explored different environments and townships in the region. I was initially worried that my familiarity with the area would mean that I wouldn’t get that much out of the book. I’m so happy to be wrong. I may have explored multiple environments close to Geelong and Apollo Bay, however, those locations represent a fraction of the Otways/Shipwreck Coast area. I got a lot out of this book and will be referencing it a lot.

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Book Review: Bees Of Australia – A Photographic Exploration

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In 2016, I got a macro lens. It forced me to look closer at the insects in my garden and I quickly realized that there was a lot more diversity than I could have imagined. I joined Bowerbird (since closed) to help with invertebrate identification and become fascinated by entomology.

I would photograph every insect I could find and tried to learn as much as I could. I bought multiple field guides. However the sheer amount of insects, even in a small area, was incredibly overwhelming. Birds have roughly 900 species in Australia. There is some variation within species, but there are enough birdwatchers to help with an identification.

It wasn’t the same with bees. I fell in love with the sheer diversity of species, in terms of features and colouring. I stopped trying to identify them though because, as a beginner, the task felt too difficult. That is why this book is so useful.

It Is A Brilliant Introduction

The book feels like a coffee table book. The pages are full of large, detailed photos of various bee species along with little facts about those featured. Species are organized according to state, with 10-15 species per state. For each species, you will get 3-4 photos showing the species at different angles or highlighting how the male and female specimens differ. James also provides a paragraph or 2 describing interesting facts about the species.

You don’t have to read the book in any specific way. You can flip through it and admire the photography. You can skip to your state and read about the various species you may be able to find locally. You can read a page each day to learn interesting facts about bees.

This book reminded me of the joy I would feel just watching various species. This feeling of sheer wonder is something I find is missing from a lot of nature books. Insects don’t have the same attraction that other species do, so most books are designed to primarily inform. This necessary if we are to attract and support more citizen scientists.

The book also contains 7 essays about issues relevant to bee enthusiasts. These are short, compared to some of the other books I’ve read, and are very accessible. The essays discuss the important of museums, how to attract bees to your garden and how to find bees.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. This review is based on a library copy and I’m planning to buy a hard copy to add to my collection. I also hope that the author, James Dorey, considers releasing more books.

Do I recommend it?

Definitely! The photography is awesome and inspires me to want to work harder. The species themselves are fascinating. It is a lot easier to appreciate the variety and uniqueness of various species when you aren’t bombarded with a lot of information in field guides. You won’t learn the same amount that you would from other books – but it may spark or reignite an interest in bees.

If unsure, you can check out his blog. I could easily spend hours looking at the image galleries. He also wrote a blog chronicalling his trip around Australia at The Bee log blog

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Book Review: Night Parrot by Penny Olsen

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The rediscovery of the night parrot is one of the greatest achievements of modern birdwatchers. I had just returned to birdwatching when the news broke and was so excited. I followed the official announcements, had read the articles and thought I was pretty well informed.

I wasn’t.

Articles had referenced how the last living night parrot was sighted in 1912. Based on the lack of news, I presumed it was extinct. I didn’t think there was that much to learn about it.

I was so happy to be wrong. This book is one of those rare times where being new to birdwatching is a gift. The history of this elusive bird is really compelling. In this review, I’ll focus on the elements of the book that stood out.

Olsen is a meticulous researcher

I was impressed with the level of research that went into this book. Olsen scoured through old records to create a compelling narrative. It wouldn’t have been an easy task to explore the connections between the smattering of records that remained, let alone make it such an addictive read. I was hooked.

Occasionally, it felt like Olsen would go into unnecessary detail about some of the key figures. She’d unearthed some interesting facts about a persons history, but that history didn’t feel relevant to the night parrots journey. I would recommend skimming some sections if you find your attention wanes. You can always revisit those sections later.

Chapters were organized into States

The bulk of the book is devoted to the history of seeking and, in the rare case, documenting the presence of the night parrot. It does this grouping various chapters according to state and devoting each chapter to the key efforts in that period. For example, the Southern Australia section focused on the work of Charles Sturt, John McDouall Stuart and J. Harris Brown; Samuel Albert White and Ethel Rosina White; and Frederick Andrews .

I was initially against the idea of organizing the chapters into states. I wanted to learn more about the bird itself and read about the history chronologically. I was so glad to be wrong. The night parrot was always incredibly elusive, even in the areas it favoured. It’s habitat meant that searching for it was a huge endeavour that involved a lot of resources. Sighting reports did travel across states, especially as transportation became easier. Reading about these journeys as individual experiences did help me understand how all the sightings and discoveries were interconnected.I underestimated how fascinating it was. I didn’t know just how early cats were introduced to Australia, nor how early scientists would shoot the birds instead of observing them.

‘They say if enough are found’: Steve Murphy and John Young

This is the chapter I was most keen to read. John Young’s discovery of night parrot populations had caused a lot of excitement in the birding community – and also a lot of controversy. Olsen held little trust in John Young, something that was painstakingly repeated throughout the chapter. Later, it would be revealed that many facets his discovery of a population in South Australia would be fake. It is evident that Young has an interesting relationship with the truth, however this chapter still annoyed me.

After the book was published, there was a lot of commentary about whether John Young could be trusted. Peers and friends came out in support of his work and argued that the book didn’t accurately represent many of Young’s doubtful claims. As a casual birdwatcher, I didn’t know what or who to believe. This chapter explores past exaggerations and explores Murphy’s experiences of the work he undertook with Young. This was fascinating – it included information I wasn’t aware of – but it was also a bit disappointing. While I trust Murphy’s recollections, I felt like this section could have included perspectives from others who had worked with Young.

Olsen was also incredibly critical of many members of the birdwatching community – notable, considering as birdwatchers would be one of the key targeted readerships. She was incredibly critical of those who didn’t agree with the secrecy surrounding the rediscovery. I was, and still am, a member of several Facebook birdwatching groups and I felt this was an unfair representation.

The secrecy was a hot topic of debate, but the most critical were those who actually had the potential to discover other populations. They were concerned that the lack of calls to reference would mean that unknown populations would be subject to further risk. The topic was considerably more nuanced, something that went unacknowledged by Olsen. I was particularly annoyed at how she targeted. Mark Carter as a jilted twitcher. I was his Facebook friend before he abandoned the platform, and he was frustrated with the secrecy surrounding the birds call. At the time of their discovery, the reference calls were limited to those from Western Australia.

This chapter is fascinating and allowed me to learn so much more about the recent work with the night parrot. If you are active in online birdwatching communities, you may have similar feelings.

Would I recommend it?

Definitely.

I disagree with how Olsen approached the chapter on John Young and didn’t like some smaller parts of how the book was structured. It was still one of the best books I have read this year.

I’d recommend it for those who already have an existing passion for birds or conservation. It is accessible for beginners.

Buy from Booktopia or your local bookshop.