A FRIENDSHIP WITH BIRDS reviewed by Avril Mcleod
What a delightful and interesting book! I found myself sharing several things in common with the author, Amar (Dato’ Dr. Amar Singh) after having read only the Introduction! In this he states that his interest in bird watching “grew to be a passion” when he inherited two objects, a pair of second-hand binoculars and a bird book, Common Malayan Birds (M.W.F. Tweedie). My own interest was motivated twenty-three years ago after inheriting my father’s fifty year-old binoculars and the purchase of the Collins Pocket Guide to British Birds (R.S.R. Fitter & R.A. Richardson 1986).
In the introductory pages Amar pays homage to an earlier pioneer of bird watching in Peninsular Malaysia, G.C. Madoc, author of An Introduction to Malayan Birds (1943), written while he was imprisoned in Changi during the Second World War, and limited to one copy. In fact, Amar’s book is dedicated not only to the birds that have given him so much pleasure over the years, but also to three pioneers of bird watching in this country: Madoc, as above, A.G. Glenister and M.W.F. Tweedie. This chapter also relates how Amar first became interested in this fascinating hobby and includes some interesting facts about birds in general. Useful features include a map showing migratory routes as well as a diagram describing the topography (or common parts) of a bird. Other important topics include: How to Watch Birds, and Bird Ethics – How to Respect Birds, the latter stressing the importance of never approaching too closely, either for photographs (especially using a flash) or to inspect a nest which could cause the parents to abandon the nest and young.
The species accounts are dealt with in five chapters: The 10 most common birds in your garden & their relatives, other reasonably common birds usually seen in your garden, those that fly past or over your house, other reasonably common visitors within the city/town, and the unusual and spectacular visitors to the garden. This format will be most helpful to those who are just starting out on this absorbing hobby. Anyone who has a garden or access to a nearby park or indeed any green area containing some trees and shrubs, should be able to see and identify most – if not all – of the species included in this book and, given time, add some of their own.
As the author states, his book does not profess to be a field guide. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout with photographs, all of which have been taken by the author.
Amar has written about his friendship with birds with a great deal of sympathy and understanding. He and his wife, Datin Dr. Lim Swee Im, who wrote the Foreword, have studied their habits over the years, recorded them nesting, rushed to the rescue when young have fallen from nests and have suffered when a favourite resident passes away.
This is a very ‘user friendly’ book with each of the species discussed having its own table at the end of the relevant chapter giving Family name, Scientific and Local Name Status (whether resident or a migrant), Size, Key Descriptive Features (a brief description of the species) Call, Food, Nesting, and other notes, if applicable.
The final chapter advises on ‘How to create a bird-friendly garden and city’ and gives a useful list of things we can all do to make our gardens attractive to birds and small mammals. A few suggestions include planting some trees and bushes instead of cementing everything over, and to put out seeds or old fruit to encourage the birds into your garden. Adding a bird bath is also recommended as several species love to bathe.
This book will appeal all birders, whether they are long-established or just embarking upon this fascinating pastime. Those who simply want to know a little more about the birds seen around their home or the local park will find it informative and it may even encourage some to take up the rewarding hobby of bird watching.
Avril McLeod is a British expat who has lived in Tambun over the last eight years and in S.E. Asia for over twenty. She is a member of the Malaysian Nature Society and she, together with her husband, Bob has travelled world-wide in search of birds.
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Beautiful photos of a fabulous couple on a fantastic day