Richard Boon is chair of the Beacon Ponds Little Tern Project Management Committee. A retired academic who now volunteers for Spurn Observatory Trust, he also sits on its research committee. Richard has volunteered for the BTO and the RSPB, and has made occasional contributions to the birding press, most recently in British Birds.
Description
Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Map Introduction The 2022 Season April May June July August Afterword Appendix: The Year in (some) Statistics Image credits Select bibliography Index
Reviews
A crisply-written and often amusing account of the numerous challenges that the author and his fellow wardens had to overcome to safeguard these tiny, enchanting and incredibly vulnerable seabirds... packed with fascinating information both about the breeding behaviour of the terns and also about the daily trials and tribulations (and rewards) of being a shorebird warden. -- James Wright * The Wryneck * This book is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Little Terns. -- Ian Paulsen * The Birdbooker Report * A very enjoyable read. -- John Miles * Bird Watching Magazine * This book is special... we get an intimate and vivid account of the resilience of the terns as well as those dedicated to protecting them. -- Des Thompson * The Niche * Richard Boon has written a detailed and compelling account of a year in the life of the Little Tern colony at Beacon Ponds... This well-written book is an important account for other Little Tern management teams as well as biologists. -- David Cabot * IBIS * ...beautifully written... Anyone interested in birds and nature conservation will enjoy reading a copy. * Conservation Biology * I see a few small rays of hope in this super read. -- Bo Beolens * Fatbirder * Readers with similar experience as well as those curious about how colonial seabirds are studied and protected will enjoy this book. -- Roger F. Pasquier * The Wilson Journal of Ornithology * Boon's elegant and evocative prose paints a vivid picture of these delicate birds... The author's keen observations and in-depth knowledge of their behavior bring these fascinating creatures to life... Clinging to the Edge is a must-read for serious birders and bird watchers alike. -- John Hague * 10,000 Birds * Richard's talent for anecdotes about the trials and tribulations of the colony and the detail he gives on the day-to-day monitoring, maintenance of electric fences and protecting the birds from predators makes a charming read. -- Gill Birties * BTO News *