Resources

Recommended field guides

The field guides I reach for most: keys, tracks and signs, and identification books that are worth carrying in a rucksack. Many of the FSC fold-out guides are waterproof and cost only a few pounds.

  1. Baker, N. (2013) The Nature Tracker's Handbook. London: Bloomsbury Natural History.

  2. Bang, P. & Dahlström, P. (2001) Animal Tracks and Signs. English edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  3. Bebbington, A. et al. (2003) The Woodland Name Trail: a key to the invertebrates of soil and leaf litter. 2nd edition. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  4. Brown, R. W. et al. (2004) Animal Tracks, Trails & Signs. London: Octopus Publishing Group.

  5. Brown, R. et al. (2002) Tracks & Signs of the Birds of Britain & Europe (Helm Identification Guides). 2nd edition. London: Christopher Helm.

  6. Bullion, S. (1998) A Key to British Land Mammals. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  7. Bullion, S. (2006) A Guide to British Mammal Tracks and Signs. 2nd edition. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  8. Carss, B. (2020) The Complete Guide to Tracking: following tracks, trails and signs, and all forms of pursuit. Paperback edition. London: Robinson.

  9. Hall, D. (2022) The Naturalist's Companion: a field guide to observing and understanding wildlife. Seattle: Mountaineers Books.

  10. Holden, L. (2014) The Fungi Name Trail. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  11. Jones, K. et al. (2014) A Guide to British Bats. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  12. King, S. (2016) Nature Watch: how to track and observe wildlife. London: Quadrille Publishing.

  13. King, S. (1994) Wildguide. London: BBC Books.

  14. Liebenberg, L. et al. (2010) Practical Tracking: a guide to following footprints and finding animals. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books.

  15. Muir, G. et al. (1999) How to Find and Identify Mammals. 2nd edition. Southampton: The Mammal Society.

  16. Oldham, J. (2003) The Tree Name Trail: a key to common trees. 2nd edition. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  17. Olsen, L. (2013) Tracks and Signs of the Animals and Birds of Britain and Europe. Oxfordshire: Princeton University Press.

  18. Owen, J. et al. (2019) The Dead Good Deadwood Survey: field guide. TCV (The Conservation Volunteers).

  19. Rose, F. (2006) The Wild Flower Key: how to identify wild flowers, trees and shrubs in Britain and Ireland. Revised and expanded edition. London: Frederick Warne.

  20. Rhyder, J. (2021) Track and Sign: a guide to the field signs of mammals and birds of the UK. Gloucestershire: The History Press.

  21. Strachan, R. (1995) Mammal Detective. Suffolk: Whittet Books.

  22. Thomas, L. (2018) Guide to British Owls and Owl Pellets. Shropshire: FSC Publications.

  23. Young, J. et al. (2007) Animal Tracking Basics. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books.

  24. Young, S. (2022) Wildlife Photography Fieldcraft. London: Pelagic Publishing.