The Biggest Twitch: Around the World in 4,000 Birds - Softcover

'There are casual birdwatchers and there are twitchers who'll fly halfway around the world to spot a cactus wren. Davies and Miller are the latter...entertaining anecdotes with real honesty...even non-bird-buffs may be inspired to get out the binoculars.' Wanderlust (November 2010) '...will make you dream of the destinations and the birds they saw' Birdwatch (November 2010) 'a great read' Real Travel (December 2010) 'It is the ideal companion for anyone setting off on a long plane or train journey.' Sunday Express (January 2011) 'a fast-paced and enthralling read for birders everywhere' Birding World (vol. 23 2010) 'Birders and eco-tourists will enjoy this book!' Birdbooker report website (12th November 2010)

Most people dream of packing in their humdrum city life, selling up and heading off into the unknown for a life of adventure. For Ruth Miller and Alan Davies this dream became a reality, albeit with a twist; they decided to pack in their jobs, sell their house and take on the ultimate birder's challenge - to smash the world record for the number of species seen in one calendar year. This book is the story of their great expedition, searching for birds from Ecuador to Ethiopia via Argentina, Australia and Arizona. We follow this birding odyssey as they rachet up the species and the stamps in their passports, sharing in amazing birding experiences such as monkey-hunting Harpy Eagles in the Brazilian rain forest, seedsnipes in the Peruvian highlands and lekking bustards in South Africa, all leading to the ultimate question - will they break the magic 4,000? Written in an accessible style, this book will be of great interest to birders, readers of travel literature, and to people who simply enjoy a good adventure!