In a world populated by ten thousand or so bird species that come in a range of sizes and colours and occur in a variety of places, one species truly stands tall in people's imaginations: the diminutive Atlantic puffin, Fratercula arctica -- which is only as tall as a paperback novel (or if you read e-books, this bird would be shorter than your kindle).
Although most people have never seen a puffin in real life, nearly everyone recognises them instantaneously. That's remarkable, considering that these mysterious birds are not visible most of their lives. They live somewhere far out at sea for most of the year, coming to land for just a few months to nest in earthen burrows dug into steep cliffs on desolate craggy islands. Yet, in view of this iconic little bird's popularity, it's surprising that there are few books out there intended to educate the puffin fan club about its life and habits.
Well, okay, there is one such book: The Secret Lives of Puffins by Dominic Couzens [Christopher Helm/Bloomsbury Natural History, 2013; Guardian Bookshop; Amazon UK; Amazon US].
This charming 176-page hardcover is filled with so much life history information that almost everyone will learn something by reading it. The author also includes anecdotes that give the reader the feeling that she is there too:
Puffins would doubtless always be popular with people, given their colourful and singular appearance. However, it surely helps that some of the places where they breed are open maritime landscapes, scenic, bracing and spectacular, rather than buildings, or trees or farmland. [...] To see them in the wild, therefore, is to embark on an adventure, often a boat trip, or a long walk or drive along remote tracks, away from civilisation. Puffin places are vivid and colourful, subject to the whims of violent weather: they instill awe and wonder, and a sense of wildness. Visits to such locations leave you with far more than just an encounter with a bird. [p. 54]
In general, the writing is accessible and clear although it would have benefitted from some careful editing: for example, the author has an annoying fondness for the word "obviously" (which appears 3 times in just one paragraph on p. 27, for example).
The full-colour photographs, by award-winning wildlife photographer Mark Sisson, are superb. Although Mr Sisson has neither invaded the birds' nest burrows nor followed them far out to sea, he has captured some enchanting images of puffins doing puffin-y things, like sleeping (p. 75) and sticking out its tongue (p. 11). Also included are pictures of the breathtaking (p. 96 & p. 117) and dramatic (p. 42 & p. 64) places where these birds nest in the UK.
A combination of a coffee-table book and a species monograph, this outsized book beautifully accomplishes what I thought impossible: it makes those already adorable puffins even more lovable. The hundreds of lavish full-colour photographs will appeal to puffin lovers of all ages, and the book will enlighten and delight those who love birds and those who are inspired by stunning nature photography.
• Dominic Couzens is a British birder, author and journalist. He contributes regularly to Bird Watching and BBC Wildlife magazines; and is a professional field trip guide. He has written more than 20 books, including The Secret Lives of Garden Birds, which was selected by The Guardian as one of the best wildlife books of 2004; The Secret Lives of British Birds, which was chosen by The Guardian as one of the best wildlife books of 2006, and The Secret Lives of Garden Wildlife, which was named as one of best new nature books of Spring 2008 by The Times. He resides in Dorset, UK, with his wife and two young children.
• Mark Sisson is an award-winning nature photographer whose work is regularly published in a wide variety of books and journals such as BBC Wildlife, Birds and The Countryman. He also co-owns and runs the leading wildlife photography holiday and workshop business, Natures Images, teaching others how to pursue wildlife photography in a responsible and enthusiastic manner. He resides in the small market-town of Newport in Shropshire, UK.
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