Be a Birder: My love of birdwatching and how to get started (Paperback) - Hamza Yassin

A joyful introductory guide for the budding birdwatcher from wildlife cameraman, zoologist and TV presenter, Hamza Yassin

'He is delight and joy personified' - Marian Keyes
'Set to become BBC's next David Attenborough' - Daily Mail
'Brings a little bit of joy to us all' - Guardian

Discover the wonderful world of birdwatching with wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin - winner of BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing 2022 and presenter of BBC documentary Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey

'Birds have been with me my entire life - from the colourful weaver birds on the banks of the Nile in Sudan to the magpies of Newcastle, from the roosting peregrine falcons near my parents' house in Northampton to the white-tailed eagles on the west coast of Scotland. I love them. If you take the time to stop and listen, you'll see the world through different eyes. It's all out there, waiting for you to find it. And it might just bring you as much joy as it's brought me.'

Journey along with Hamza in Be a Birder as he recounts stories of his birding adventures, and shares tips and tricks to help you get started in birdwatching.

In this beautifully illustrated guide featuring fifty of Hamza's favourite birds, you will learn how to start identifying birds, understand their behaviour and movements, and find even more exciting birds, wherever you are. Starting with the goldfinch in your garden, to tawny owls in woodlands, to the elusive kingfisher near rivers and marshes, you will build your birdwatching confidence and push yourself further afield to find new feathered wonders.

Encouraging us all to stop, step outside and listen, Be a Birder is both a practical guide and a joyous celebration of these incredible creatures. Once you start looking for them, and with Hamza as your guide, your world will be forever changed.

About the Author

Hamza Yassin is a Scottish wildlife cameraman and presenter, a skilled ornithologist and the winner of the 2022 season of Strictly Come Dancing. Born in Sudan, Hamza moved to Scotland when he was young. He has a degree in Zoology with Conservation after studying at Bangor University and a Masters in Biological Photography and Imaging from the University of Nottingham. He made his first television appearance on the CBeebies show Let's Go for a Walk, in the role of Ranger Hamza, and featured in a book based on the series. Since then, Hamza has appeared on The One Show, Countryfile and is a presenter on the long running BBC series Animal Park. Hamza has also presented his own Channel 4 documentaries, Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, and was the podcast host of the second series of Get Birding. In September 2023, Hamza's first BBC documentary, Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey was broadcast.

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