Review - Ireland Through Birds - Conor W. O'Brien

I was recently contacted by Conor O'Brien asking if I would review his new book "Ireland Through Birds". Always happy to have something to read on my train commutes, I gladly accepted.

A week later the book arrived and I delved straight in.

Ireland Through Birds -Conor W. O'Brien - Merrion Press - €22.58 on Amazon for the paperback. €7.99 for the kindle edition. €5.61 for the google books version.

This is a book that does exactly what it says on the tin. It's Ireland... through birds. And so rather than being an all consuming hunt for the species being discussed, or poetic description of the species without end, the reader is instead brought into the far flung corners of our island in a manner that is perfectly described and beautifully written.

The author selects 12 species to track down over the course of a year, but rather than treat the book as one story arc, it's best to treat it as a collection of short stories, hybridized with the conservation plight and local history of each site. 

At times the species and location seem somewhat arbitrarily selected, but that concern soon fades away as the reader is treated to a well woven history of the locations these species find themselves at home in.

There's a brutal honesty to the stories within, as the author deals with species he's seeing, but at times also failing to find. It's a refreshing change to read of a target going unachieved (though a hardened birder may question the choice of location at times).

I found this book brought me back to my own early experiences with the various species. The Merlin entry had me remember my first, on the hills above Glenmacnass, as my family swam in the mountain stream there.

The Goosander entry had me noting how times have changed somewhat, my first being a male on the sea at the mouth of the Tolka. For as much time as I spent at Glendalough in my youth, I never saw a Goosander for my trouble and it was with a wry smile, as reading, I looked out at the 20 strong flock off our pier here.

There's something for everyone here, and I'm sure one or more species entries will trigger similar memories for the reader.

With any bird book, I ask the question "How does this make me a better birder?", and I guess it comes down to that. 

Triggered memories. 

Reminding the reader of some of the truly Irish gems we have, further compounded with a history and landscape you may not have known previously, but will certainly want to know in the future.

With the impending festive season, this book will make a fine stocking filler for any birder of your acquaintance and I look forward to future offerings from the author.