Editorial team: Ian Duncan, Peter Seal, John Tilt, Roger Wasley and Mike Williams

Published by Pisces Publications, 2016

Softback, 156 pages. ISBN: 978-1-874357-72-8

From the publisher: In this first ever book on the butterflies of the West Midlands detailed accounts of all 41 species regularly recorded in Birmingham & the Black Country, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire are included, with distribution maps, 25 butterfly walks, gardening tips and a section on how to photograph butterflies. This major new title has been produced by members of the West Midlands branch of the national charity Butterfly Conservation, which is working to protect Britain's butterflies and moths. The book will appeal to butterfly enthusiasts of all ages and experience from complete beginners to those who are already keen butterfly watchers or photographers. For each species there are photographs of the four life stages - egg, larva, pupa and adult - and guidance on identification. Distribution maps show where each butterfly may be seen, and there is helpful information on suitable habitat and when to look for each species. Additional chapters on butterfly walks, how to photograph butterflies and tips on suitable plants to attract them to your garden are included. All proceeds from the sale of this book will help conserve butterflies and moths in the West Midlands. A 'must have' book for all lovers of butterflies.

A Review by Peter Eeles, 30th August 2016

It would be easy of me to simply say that, if you're at all interested in the butterflies of the West Midlands, this is the book for you, and leave this review at that. However, this would really undersell such a high-quality publication, in terms of content, format and production. The format, in particular, makes for a very easy read and the content really hits the mark in terms of the book's primary objective; I feel that I know much more about the butterflies in this region. Also, the production is of the usual quality provided by Pisces Publications and Peter Creed and team should rightly feel proud of their work in this regard.

The book starts with a map of the region, overlaid with the "walks" covered in their own sections later in the book. This is followed by introductory matter including a discussion of climate, geography (and land use and habitats), branch history, recording history and, finally, a section on gardening for butterflies. Every section of this book is beautifully illustrated with high quality images that bring the book to life (and I'm humbled that a few of my photos were considered worthy of inclusion).

Unsurprisingly, the bulk of the book is dedicated to the species accounts, which draw upon the wealth of information that branch recorders have provided over the years. I really liked the layout which has a standard format, to a relevant degree. Every species is shown with a distribution map, national status, West Midlands status, hotspots (which often provides pointers to the walks that are described later), habitat, flight period, larval foodplants, wingspan and life cycle. I thought it was a nice touch to also name the species champion in each case. Every species is illustrated with appropriate photos, including those of egg, caterpillar and chrysalis.

The remainder of the species description is very much dependent on the species which I really liked. Not only does this break things up and make for a more interesting read as a result, but it also allows the authors to focus on those species-specific elements that are most relevant, without being a slave to a rigid format.

The detailed species descriptions are followed by 25 walks that are not only illustrated with some beautiful photos and detailed drawings of the walks mentioned, but are also, most importantly, rich in the information you need should you choose to visit the areas described.

All in all, this is certainly one of the nicest publications of its kind that I have, and I would love to see other Butterfly Conservation branches follow suit; I can imagine an entire bookshelf filled with such works. The publisher unashamedly says "A 'must have' book for all lovers of butterflies". I would have to agree.

How to Order

The book can be ordered directly from NatureBureau.