Britain's Sea Mammals is the essential field guide to all the sea mammals – whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals – found in coastal Britain. Britain's Sea Mammals features more than 100 stunning photographs and close to 40 detailed and beautiful illustrations of 34 species of sea mammals, paying special attention to the 14 species most readily seen and most likely to be encountered. Factoring in behavior and locations, introductory chapters look at sea mammal biology and ecology, and how, when, and where these creatures can be spotted. Species accounts highlight key identification characteristics and include information on status, habitat requirements, and distribution. Handy and informative, Britain's Sea Mammals is the ideal guide to sea mammal watching in the United Kingdom.
Jon Dunn lives in Shetland, UK, working there and abroad as a wildlife tour guide and writer. Robert Still is the publishing director and chief designer of WILDGuides--a publishing company specializing in field guides that help raise funds for conservation. Hugh Harrop founded the award-winning ecotourism business Shetland Wildlife in 1992. He is the author of Where to Watch Birds in Shetland.
"This well-produced and nicely illustrated guide, which will be of interest to many seabird enthusiasts, covers the 35 species of marine mammals recorded in British waters, plus True’s Beaked Whale Mesoplodon mirus recorded from Ireland. Most of the text is devoted to field identification but there are also summaries of status and distribution drawn from the literature. One section describes where to watch sea mammals in Britain & Ireland, picking out 25 sites in the UK and six in Ireland. Inevitably, this overlooks many other important locations, and the choice rather focuses upon the best-known rather than the best ones, which is a shame. Information on distribution and seasonal occurrence is broadly correct but in some cases needs updating; if only the authors had sought an external check of all the text and maps, it would have made all the difference. What I like best, however, is the layout, which manages to pack in a lot of detail without appearing overcrowded, together with the illustrations, which are for the most part excellent."
- Peter G. H. Evans, 24-07-2013, www.britishbirds.co.uk
"Britain and Ireland are perhaps surprisingly well-endowed with sea mammals and, with a little knowledge and help, many of them can actually be seen. The extended title says it all. This guide – with its waterproof cover clearly intended for the field – is absolutely packed with information on all 34 species of sea mammals recorded in British & Irish waters. The photographs are invariably stunning and the identification illustrations top-notch too. From the detailed records of vagrants and their identification to expert tips on how to see the likes of Humpback and Killer Whales, it is all here."
- Steve Gantlett, Birding World 25(12), January 2013.