Field Guides

[bushwalker zane]

Hi all!

I was just wondering what kind of field guides you might take walking with you? I don't really take any with me at the moment but was thinking of getting a few for plants and animals. I currently have a EucaFlip and TreeFlip but was thinking of getting some others, such as:

Birds - Tasmanian Birds, Dave Watts.
Mammals - Tasmanian Mammals, a field guide, Dave Watts.
Trees - Native Trees of Tasmania, J.B Kirkpatrick.

I won't necessarily take them on walks, but they seem like good ones to study up with. So, do you have or take any with you? Or any better suggestions than the ones I have here (obviously I'm looking for Tasmanian ones ).

Zane

[north-north-west]

Birds, butterflies, orchids, alpine flora, wildflowers . . . would like a good comprehensive fungus field guide but there's not really any such thing.
All too heavy to carry on anything but a daywalk, though. Used to take a bird book everywhere with me - which is why my favourite guide is falling to bits - but haven't done that for years.

[nakedape]

For birds you cant go too far wrong with Simpson and Day. Sure its not Tas focused - but it doesn't hurt to broaden your focus. Just as a tip - if you really want to impress your hiking mates get hold of a CD of bird calls and learn them. A lot of the time that I'm in the bush I hear (& hence can ID) more birds than I see.

N

[bushwalker zane]

For birds you cant go too far wrong with Simpson and Day. Sure its not Tas focused - but it doesn't hurt to broaden your focus. Just as a tip - if you really want to impress your hiking mates get hold of a CD of bird calls and learn them. A lot of the time that I'm in the bush I hear (& hence can ID) more birds than I see.

N

I have fond memories of being a small child trying to figure out what birds are what with the Simpson and Day book my dad has. I am starting to get pretty good with bird calls too as that's what I'm learning in my guiding course. So much fun!

Birds, butterflies, orchids, alpine flora, wildflowers . . . would like a good comprehensive fungus field guide but there's not really any such thing.
All too heavy to carry on anything but a daywalk, though. Used to take a bird book everywhere with me - which is why my favourite guide is falling to bits - but haven't done that for years.

That is the problem, too heavy... But I do think a few are worth while. I have seen some nice butterfly books floating around. I do wish there was a book for fungus, as well as a good bug book. The only one I can find is Wings, but that only has winged bugs.

[north-north-west]

I have a very good butterfly book - picked it up at the Namadgi Visitors' Centre last time I was there. Michael Braby, published by the CSIRO. Covers every known species in the country in about 340 pages.
For birds I have an ancient (about 40 yrs old) Pizzey & Doyle which stays in the car, plus a newer Simpson & Knight I've never used. Orchid guide only covers the ACT, need to get something for Vic, NSW, SA and Tas at the least. Given the number of species no one book could cover them all.

I don't bother with bird calls any more. Too deaf to hear even a rabid flock of lorikeets at close quarters.

[bushwalker zane]

I don't bother with bird calls any more. Too deaf to hear even a rabid flock of lorikeets at close quarters.

Haha! That would be a sight to behold.

[DaveNoble]

This is the way to go -

http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoveryc ... guide-app/

Its excellent, and has bird calls, frog calls etc. Its also free. Now if someone could make a similar guide for Tasmania, The Blue Mts, New Zealand.......

Dave