Available to order: Birds of Chew Valley Lake: Ecology, History, Tales | NHBS Field Guides & Natural History

This beautiful new book about this wonderful lake is aimed not only at birdwatchers, but also at many people, local and from elsewhere, with an interest in nature, history and our natural environment. ​

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It provides a unique opportunity to study this newly created man-made habitat over the last 70 Years. It describes the Chew Valley before the lake, and the exceptional archaeological excavations and discoveries made during construction, as well as the celebrations of its opening by the young Queen and Prince Philip in 1956. This was a great local occasion.

Based on the original records of local (and national) birding expert Keith Vinicombe, who lives in Henleaze, Bristol, the book has been compiled and edited by John Rossetti with the superb ecology section by Rupert Higgins, both also from Bristol.

Bird sections bring to life the excitement, and also humour, of this pursuit, superbly illustrated by 26 original paintings from Ray Scally, and even a couple of cartoons. Local photographers have provided their excellent photographs free of charge, including Gary Thoburn, Rich Andrews and Lucy Masters. It has also over 75 line drawings from local artist the late Laurel Tucker, whose exceptional career was cut short at the age of 35. Many of her drawings are published here for the first time.

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