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If you have a look at this page about the new Roberts Fieldguide you'll find the following sentence hidden away under the heading Southern African Guides

No time frames is mentioned but it is being looked at

Should anyone be interested - the Roberts Field Guide is available at bookstores - treated myself to one yesterday.

Got the new Roberts field guide the other day (in anticipation for birding day!!) and so far I've been very impressed, it's very cheap compared to some of the other guides and the information for each species is top notch, the thing that made me buy this book is the distribution maps which are better than any other field guide currently available.

I've got very few complaints, I do find it strange that there is no illustration of an Ostrich and although this is not too important to me, it still seems a little odd, the main thing though is that the quality of the paintings vary widely, some are extremely good and others are, well, a little off the mark. The raptor illustrations are some of the best if not the best out there, but luckily 90% of the images are of a high standard.

As for the nightjar page, that is going to be very handy for birding day, many people don't realise how easy they are to catch with the use of a spotlight (and how wide they can open their mouthes!!) and in these situations it really does turn I.D'ing these birds into a 30 second opperation! And as for some of the above comments, I don't believe you can tick a dead bird, that would be like ticking a bird in a cage.

My vote for this book...get it and add it to the collection, you won't regret it!

I have a very well used edition of Newmans "Birds of the Kruger Park". As it is falling apart I would like to replace it but don't seem to be able to locate it in any of the book-stores in Cape Town. Is it still available?

Have a look here. Amazon has it as well.

If I was you I would maybe hang on a bit. There is a new guide coming out for Kruger in the near future.

Quote from BirdInfo website:


Unfortunately I can't tell you that it will be as good as the Newmans but maybe just worth to wait a few months. My Kruger Newmans is also falling apart and I'm waiting to see what the Roberts KNP guide will look like before I start searching for a replacement. I'm just hoping that they will be including the same kind of info (ie specific records for rarities etc) as the Newmans currently have.

Thanks Johann. Holding on for a while certainly makes sense in view of what you state.

I love my Green Edition but it is also falling apart, I got an almost new one from here and I am so pleased with it
Still use my old one though

Got a mail from the author. The Afrikaans version has been delayed due to problems with the translator. Will only be available in 2009! A real pity!

For all UK-based birders the Roberts Field Guide is now here - saw it this weekend in the WWT shop in London for £17.99. Looks very good.

I am addicted to bird field guides! I have a copy of almost all the books mentioned here. For Kruger the Newmans Kruger book is the best but seems to be out of print at the moment. Newmans is quite user friendly but the latest Roberts field guode is fantastic.

Keep birding!

I have all three updated Sasol, Roberts new version (fathers days are great) and the old Kruger guide. I find the Sasol plates better not so harsh on the feather patterns and easier to view but Roberts better on the written detail ,for everyday basic use in the KNP nothing can touch my old newmans probably becuase of its size and weight I can lug it around and also hold it in my hand while using bino's etc.
Now Im looking for a good raptor guide with colour variation plates any sugestions, I will go and look at the ones mentioned earlier.
Enjoy your birding with the birds I never have a dull moment no matter where I am.

If you can find the one I'm looking for "Raptor Identification Guide for Southern Africa"by Ulrich Oberpriellr & Burger Cillie. It has Colur variations, Juvenile & sub adult photos & ín flight wing patterns. It is really great, but seems to be out of print at the moment. Please let me know if you see it anywhere in KZN so I can order a copy

Happy birding

Hi PJW if i find a copy Ill pm you I had a look at our local mall no luck but Im going up PMB way on Teusday will try some stores in Pmaritzburg may get better luck.

finaley i have purchased a roberts bird guide!!!!!! My very first bird book! (please note i have only just started birding) the book is awsome, the pictures the detail everything!
i esspecialy like the fact that they have put in the birds breeding times and when they are in breeding plumage.
it is a must get and I recon it is beter than all the other bird guides.

all forum members that love birding.................get this book!