| By Jason Mann | John Beaufoy Publishing | 2024 | Paperback | 176 pages, 510 colour photos, 1 colour map | ISBN: 9781913679477 |
The Publisher’s View:
A Naturalist’s Guide to the Butterflies of Hong Kong is an easy-to-use introductory photographic guide to 235 butterfly species most commonly seen in Hong Kong. High-quality photographs from Hong Kong’s top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, wing size, distribution, habits and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers the origins of butterflies, their physical characteristics, butterfly family trees, an analysis of patterns of behaviour and details of where to see butterflies in Hong Kong. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the butterflies of Hong Kong encompassing, for each species, its common English, Chinese and scientific name, and status in Hong Kong.
The Author: Jason Mann is a long-time Hong Kong resident. After studying at Harvard, he built a healthcare investment and advisory career, contributing to many companies and governments around the world. Jason enjoys getting outside with family and friends, and his interest in Hong Kong butterflies stretches back nearly 40 years. Alongside his wife, son and three daughters, Jason invests in books and other resources that empower more people to connect positively with the world around them.
Fatbirder View:
I am a fan of John Beaufoy publications, there are many good guides. Having said that, the guides are not great for specialists, and designed for anyone with a general interest in the natural world.
For example, I know little about Lepidoptera but and interested and like to know what I am seeing… so both the NZ and Hong Kong books are ones I would pack if I was visiting there. The Australia bird guide would be surplus to requirements as there are five excellent bird fieldguides with bigger drawings pointing out ID features and much more in-depth coverage of the birds.
On the other hand, If I was a non-birder, visiting family down-under it would be a great space saver to give me a good chance of identifying most of the birds one is likely to encounter without setting out to see them.
The Butterfly and moth book may well find its way to my sister in NZ. She has many other interests, but that volume is perfect for ID the moths turning up on her porch etc.
In short, great little guides for those with general interests in wildlife and the nature around them.
Fatbirder