Shetland has always been synonymous with exciting birding. The islands are nationally important for their 21 species of breeding seabirds, and other extremely rare or sporadic British breeders such as the Red-necked Phalarope and Snowy Owl. They are also much-visited by passage migrants. In particular, Fair Isle rivals the Isles of Scilly as THE place for keen listers to go in the autumn, and this picturesque little island, with its famous bird observatory, regularly hosts extreme rarities. Following the style of the popular Birds of Norfolk and Birds of Suffolk, this new avifauna looks in depth at the status, distribution and abundance, past and present, of every bird recorded in Shetland. Population trends for breeders and regular visitors are analysed, and a detailed breakdown of all Shetland records is presented for the rarities. This book will make fascinating reading for all those interested in Shetland's birds, and will be a key resource for those studying the birdlife of this special group of islands.

An essential field guide companion covering species pairs or groups that are difficult to identify. This book covers difficult identification issues by looking at tricky species pairs or groups of birds, and comparing and contrasting their respective features. Designed as a field companion, it supplements the standard field guides and provides much additional information. As well as detailed texts, the books include extensive illustrations of all relevant ages and plummages of the species concerned.

The basis for the hit series "Shetland" now airing on PBS. Winner of Britain's coveted Duncan Lawrie Dagger Award, Ann Cleeves's Raven Black introduces a dazzling suspense series to U.S. mystery readers. It is a cold January morning and Shetland lies beneath a deep layer of snow. Trudging home, Fran Hunter's eye is drawn to a splash of color on the frozen ground, ravens circling above. It is the strangled body of her teenage neighbor, Catherine Ross. The locals on the quiet island stubbornly focus their gaze on one man--loner and simpleton Magnus Tait. But when detective Jimmy Perez and his colleagues from the mainland insist on opening out the investigation, a veil of suspicion and fear is thrown over the entire community. For the first time in years, Catherine's neighbors nervously lock their doors, while a killer lives on in their midst.