Written by the author of Birds in Counties and its supplements, this book contains an account of the development of local ornithology, conforming with current recording areas, and including biographical details of authors. There is also a critical discussion of county atlases; an updated bibliography of local books and pamphlets; and listings of national and local journals.
"[...] This is hardly a coffee table book, and JK Rowling will not be living in fear of her sales record being overtaken any time soon, but it is an important piece of work, well-researched and well-presented. Those interested in the way in which humans have altered the distribution of birds over the last four centuries in the UK as a whole or within a county will be indebted to the author, as will future generations."
– Richard Sale, Ibis 163(2), April 2021