BIRDS of BAHRAIN. Tom Nightingale and Mike Hill
Seldom does a publisher have the opportunity to draw on such a
great fund of knowledge and such fine photographic skills as did
Immel Publishing on its most recent Arabian natural history book,
Birds of Bahrain. Here for the first time is a book that provides
a rare insight into the surprisingly diverse bird-life of the
Arabian Gulf island State of Bahrain. With an avifauna which may
not, at first glance be apparent to the casual eye, Bahrain’s
bustling desert islands are nevertheless an important staging
post for thousands of migrating Eurasian birds.
A readable reference book, enhanced by many fine photographs and
having the widest possible appeal, The Birds of Bahrain gently
guides the reader through comprehensive introductory chapters
to reach a fascinating calendar of migration before culminating
in a well researched check-list which details the status and recent
history of over 290 species.
An essential addition to the scant ornithological literature of
Arabia, and of the greatest appeal to those living in, or visiting,
Bahrain, this beautiful book will also find a place on the shelves
of many bird-watchers and readers who, far and wide, retain fond
memories of sunny Dilmun.
Author Tom Nightingale lived and worked in Bahrain from 1978 to
1989. During his stay there he developed a deep interest in Arabian
ornithology, serving at various times on the Committee of the
Bahrain Natural History Society as secretary, bird recorder and
publications editor. Coming from the ‘laid-back’ school of bird-watching
he has yet to break into a run (or a sweat) when a rarity is reported.
Nevertheless his travels in pursuit of birds have taken him to,
amongst other places, the sewage lagoons of Taiz-Yemen, the islands
of Andaman and the mountains of Tadjikstan. Wings temporarily
clipped, he presently lives in Norfolk, England.
The book’s wonderful photographs of birds have been taken by Mike
Hill who is an accomplished nature photographer with an international
reputation. Widely travelled, he has visited such exotic regions
as Antarctica, Africa, India, the Seychelles, the Galapagos Islands,
the Sea of Cortez and the Caribbean in search of subjects. His
specialisation however is the natural history of the Arabian Gulf.
Mike’s photographs have been widely published in books, magazines,
calendars and used in advertising. He has co-authored books on
the wildlife of Bahrain and a Collins Field Guide to Bird Photography.
His ambition is to encourage more interest in the nature of this
neglected geographical region through the medium of his photography.
Currently Mike lives in Bahrain with his wife Kathy, and works
as a consultant physician.
Birds of Bahrain was published in December 1993 by Immel Publishing
and can be obtained at most good book shops or directly from the
publisher (20 Berkeley Street, London W1X5AE, tel 071 491 1799,
fax 071 493 5524).
The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs
by Peter Sale (ed.)
This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the
ecology of coral reef fishes presented by top researchers from
North America and Australia. Immense strides have been made over
the past twenty years in our understanding of the ecological system
in general and of reef fish ecology in particular. Many of the
methodologies that reef fish ecologists use in their studies will
be useful to a wider audience of ecologists for the design of
their ecological studies. This book will benefit both graduate
students and professional researchers in ecology. 754 pages. Published
by Academic Press. ISBN 0-12- 615180-6.
Marine Ecology of the Arabian Region:
Patterns and processes in extreme tropical environments.
by Charles Sheppard, Andrew Price and Callum Roberts.
The part of the Indian Ocean bordering Arabia is a rich and complex
ecosystem of coral reefs, mangrove coastlines and deeper water
communities. Only reunited with the Indian Ocean by quite recent
rises in sea level, it contains both areas of relative simplicity
and those where certain species’ assemblages are surprisingly
diverse. It divides into several, large, semi-enclosed water bodies,
leading to often quite distinct habitats in close proximity to
each other. Finally the overall aridity of the surrounding land
areas makes these seas some of the most extreme marine climates
on earth.
In this book the authors first present an overview of the available
information on the area, before going on to review the processes
at work in the various marine and intertidal systems. Finally,
they consider the human dimension in the region. This volume will
be of immense value to both research workers and students of marine
biology in general, as well as to those with a particular interest
in this part of the world. 359 pages. Published by Academic Press.
ISBN 0-12-639490-3.
by Michael McKinnon
The ecology of Arabia has been in a state of flux since earliest
times. Ten thousand years ago, the Arabian Gulf did not exist
and there were no corals in the Red Sea. This book takes a comprehensive
look at the dramatic changes that have shaped Arabia and its wildlife
in recent millennia and also examines the profound implications
of the present rapid ecological transformation for the future
of both people and wildlife. Stunningly illustrated with superb
colour photographhs, Arabia: Sand, Sea, Sky unveils the rich heritage
of Arabia’s natural realm.
Chapter titles are: The Making of Arabia; The Dawn of Arabian
Wildlife; Adapting to the Land; Islands of Isolation; The Great
Deserts: Stone, Salt and Sand; The Mountain Barriers; Red Sea
Rift; The Shallow Gulf; Migratory Pathways; Man in Arabia; Modernity
and Change; and Conserving the Future. The text is both scholarly
and readable and it provides an excellent overview to Arabian
natural history. This is a book for all nature lovers who have
an interest in Arabia. 224 pages. Published by Immel Publishing,
ISBN 0 907 151639.
The Birds of the United Arab Emirates
by Colin Richardson
Based on many years research and thousands of hours of fieldwork
this profusely illustrated guide to the Birds of the United Arab
Emirates includes the very latest information on over 360 species
known to occur. Features include a complete systematic list, 280
original line drawings, 79 two colour breeding distribution maps,
over 300 migration timing charts, 100 original full colour photographs,
28 colour plates, a unique 28 page ‘Birders Guide’ to the Emirates
with detailed site guides, maps and species lists, and finally,
details on habitats and monthly summaries.
The author is co-founder of the Dubai Natural History Group, editor
of Emirates Bird Report and Bird Recorder for Dubai and the Northern
Emirates. 180 pages. Published by Hobby, ISBN1 872839-00-2.
Arabian Mammals: A Natural History
by Jonathon Kingdon
The Arabian peninsula is a sizeable and distinctive biogeographic
region supporting a rich variety of indigenous mammal species,
many of which are distinct forms found only there. Most are adapted
to desert life in some way. This book celebrates in words and
pictures a fauna that is little known in spite of sustained international
interest and concern for the rescue and survival of the white
Arabian oryx. The author describes how the widespread decline
or extinction of species is related to progressively drier climates,
degradation of vegetation and accelerating social change.
New initiatives in conservation are discussed, mapped and documented.
The influence of domestic animals and the long history of domestication
in Arabia are given prominent attention in an original and lively
discussion.
Following a general introduction to the region, the book describes
every mammal found in the peninsula including several newly discovered
or described forms, such as the Queen of Sheba gazelle, wild sheep
and royal fox. Fifty-five colour plates and numerous pencil drawings
supplement authoritative texts on one hundred species. This beautifully
illustrated book will be a delight to natural history lovers as
well as a reference work for mammalogists and conservationists
interested in Arabian wildlife. 279 pages. Published by Academic
Arabian Wildlife. Volume 1, Number 1