The Birds of West Ham Park by Bob Smith
The Birds of West Ham Park
Being the author and publisher of a book is a daunting task, but it is made all the easier by support from friends old and new. For a few years I have been part of the Friends of West Ham Park, a group of people who help the Park authorities promote and conserve all that West Ham Park has to offer. One of my keen interests was and is the birds of the Park. And, with the Friends I have carried out regular counts that are passed to the Essex Bird Recorder and are made available through the Friends website, www.fwhp.co.uk.
It was while carrying out this survey work, which is led and managed by my old friend Jim Dixon, that the idea for the book took shape. Those of us who bird watch regularly take for granted the names of the birds we regularly see, but I don’t have to think too far back to remember when I wouldn’t have known what a Dunnock was! As we carried out the survey work, visitors to the Park would ask us what we were doing and then ask the names of the birds. It soon became apparent to me that a guide to the birds of the Park was needed, and this combined with my interest in photography, led to the book being written and produced.
My collaboration with a Yorkshireman living in Orkney, Peter Needham, ensured that the production values would be high, as he is a well established designer and artist. At no charge to me, but to the benefit of the book, he also produced a number of original paintings that are used throughout the book.
Since its launch on 19 April 2009, the book has found a niche in the local community, and experienced birders at the RSPB reserve in Rainham have shown an interest, as it fulfils the need for local patch birding and publications as championed by David Lindo. Indeed, I am very grateful to David for the interest he has shown in the book and his review of it that appears on my website.
The book is competitively priced at £3.50 and can be obtained through my website, www.birdsofwesthampark.co.uk. The website is constantly improving, and I hope in the weeks and months to come will tell you more about West Ham Park and its birds.
Bob Smith
May 2009