A charming little book, aiming to get you - the non-birder with a passing interest in the natural world - out the door and into a lifelong appreciation of our feathered friends. Barnes explains why birds are such a great gateway into an engagement with all natural things, tells you what you need to know to get you up and running, and encourages the reader to translate their newfound excitement into conservation effort. He is endearingly inexpert (hence the title), which separates this from other, stuffier (or at least more formal) guides aimed at the novice. It is written in a British context, but the majority of the ideas are universally applicable. Read in preparation for leading a bird walk tomorrow.

3.5/5