THE common or garden swan, the mute swan, is one of Ireland’s most widespread and familiar birds.

NEW books devoted to Irish birds don’t appear that frequently.

NEW books devoted to Irish birds don’t appear that frequently. When they do, they fall into two main categories — small, practical volumes with water resistant covers designed to be used outdoors, and larger, lavishly illustrated books designed for the indoor celebration of the wonders of the bird world.

THIS week, I will diverge from reports of local events in nature, the marvellous humpback whale displays in Wexford, and the shoals of sprats in the seas off west Cork, to tell readers about a book I’ve greatly enjoyed called Birding from the Hip: A Sound Approach Anthology.