Dartmoor is a unique natural area. A National Park since 1951, it covers 368 square miles of upland moor and bog, lowland heath, deciduous valley woodland , coniferous plantations, reservoirs, rivers and farmland. In these varied habitats 254 species and sub-species of birds have been recorded. Because some of these species are at the very northernmost edge of their world range, and others, such as Dunlin, Golden Plover or Red Grouse are at their southernmost edge, Dartmoor is the only place where they can be found in close proximity.

The Birds of Dartmoor is the first book to provide a comprehensive history of the birds of this area, drawing on references from the late eighteenth century to the present day. Relying particularly on records of the Devon Bird Watching & Preservation Society (DBWPS) and the Dartmoor Study Group (DSG) for current information, it represents the most complete status report to date.

In addition to full details of species, the book includes and introduction to Dartmoor habitats, a section dealing with a typical Dartmoor year from month to month, and a comprehensive bibliography. There are 19 line drawings and a colour frontispiece by the well-known wildlife illustrator Mike Langman, as well as four maps.

Born in Plymouth in 1942, Roger Smaldon has had a lifelong interest in the birds of Dartmoor. He has been a frequent contributor to the Bird Reports of both Devon and Cornwall. He served as assistant editor of the Cornwall Bird Report from 1982 to 1985 and on the Records Committee of the DBWPS over the same period of years.

In 1991, in response to a neglect of Dartmoor by birdwatchers, he started the Dartmoor Study Group, which continues to record details of breeding, wintering and migration of birds on the moor.

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