For me, the favourite bird guide for Britain, with additional use at
least in Northern Europe is the "Shell Guide to the Birds of Britain". It
has superb drawings of birds in every possible plumage, gives a range map
with seasonal status on the same page, and adds spot-on information about
habits and the finer points of their habitats.

(It was the only field guide who showed the leg colour of a Terek
Sandpiper in Poland as encountered).

Reto Riesen
Dept.Chem.,UBC
Vancouver
riesenr at chem.ubc.ca