Bill, it's about 10 years old now, but one that was and probably still is highly regarded is the Collins Bird Guide by Killian Mullarney, Lars Svensson, Dan Zetterstrom and Peter J Grant. It's a black covered book and is a complete guide for Britain and Europe, so from the North Cape of Norway and northern Russia right down to North Africa and over to Turkey.
Barrie
Thanks Barrie and Paul - got the Book - impressive - good size and tons of content - Gimbal should arrive today, the one that is recommended on the bird site is made in the UK by an enthusiast - just one guy who I believe "turns them out" at home - very good price compared with the "famous make".
Narrowed down my affordable "birding" lens to a Nikon 300mm f4 AF, (NO VR and a new model is maybe due this year), plus a TC14 or the Sigma 150 500mm OS ...... the Sigma is about £750 and the Nikon set up about twice that ....... I've looked at these super zooms, the HS20 etc., ...... but no no ..... maybe I should consider a used M43 Panasonic 100 300m and use my G1 - quality seems good, has OS and with the x2 sensor will give me 600mm ..... or take a chance on a used 400mm or 500mm Nikon - but expensive and heavy and no chance to use for BIF
what do I do - the Sigma - £750 - OS - could use hand held now and again - but I'll only use it at the long, (400mm 500mm end), so I have no need for the tele,
OR the Nikon 300mm f4 with TC - twice the price - a Nikon prime - but no OS and an old design - but I can use it with or without the TC
OR stick with my Nikon 70 300mm VR for a while and keep search EBay for a good used 400mm Nikon and TC, or maybe a used AF Nikon 300mm f4
Help me decide!!
The Sigma, no the Nikon - no used - any other suggestions