A new guide to birdwatching in Bermuda hits the shops this week which author Andrew Dobson hopes will encourage residents to take up the hobby.

Mr. Dobson, the president of Bermuda Audubon Society, will be signing copies of his book, A Birdwatching Guide to Bermuda, at Warwick Academy tonight from 6 to 8 p.m.

The book describes different parts of each parish which are good for spotting birds as well as maps and a seasonal guide.

A conservation section focuses on ways to help the breeding success of longtails and bluebirds, and there are detailed descriptions of the Island's breeding birds.

Bermuda's foremost environmentalist Dr. David Wingate writes in a foreword to the book: "Andrew has unveiled the extraordinary diversity of bird life and birding opportunity that awaits residents of Bermuda who have any inclination to become interested in natural history.

"I would venture to say that it is probably the most comprehensive guide to bird watching for any area outside Great Britain."

Mr. Dobson, who was born in England, arrived in Bermuda in 1989 to teach at Warwick Academy. He is a subregional editor for the West Indies section of North American Birds.