By Dirk Hilbers. Crossbill Guides, Nijmegen & KNNV Publishing, Utrecht, 2007. 208 pages; numerous colour photographs and maps. ISBN 978-90-5011-251-2. Paperback, £16.50.

This splendid little book is produced by Crossbill, a Dutch outfit who specialise in guides to ecologically important sites in Europe; companion volumes include Biebrza, Bialowieza, Coto Doñana, Camargue, Extremadura and Hortobágy. This guide covers the mountainous region of Iberia, extending between Malaga and Gibraltar. It is nicely written and well illustrated with a multitude of stunning photographs. The format comprises three main sections: Landscape, Flora & Fauna and the 'Practical Part'. The first two of these cover geography, geology and climate, and are followed by long and excellent review of the major habitats, leading into several pages of history, nature conservation, climate and an introduction to the major groups of plants and animals. The last of these is a bit superficial, but gives a flavour of what can be found with a little effort.

The main section is devoted to a series of 14 walks into the high tops, graded from 'easy' to 'strenuous' and lasting up to six hours. There are sketch maps for each of these, with ecological highlights indicated and clearly marked hazards such as bad roads or sunburn risk. A minor irritant is that several of the walks require permits, but the places to apply for these are not linked in to the location account; you have to seek them elsewhere in the book.

A word of warning. This is not a bird guide, and the section on flora and fauna only includes nine pages dedicated to birds, and these are somewhat superficial. Thus, Western Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais opaca 'is a very secretive bird of dry dehesa-like hillsides' and 'is a difficult bird to find'. This may be true, but is not especially helpful if you only have a limited time available.

This guide appears to be an excellent introduction to a region often overlooked by British birders in their haste to reach the Coto Doñana or the Tarifa region, and would be worth taking as an adjunct to a couple of days in the mountains. At the right time of year, the plants and butterflies are spectacular, and there are some nice birds too. The guide will point you in their general direction, but you might have to work hard to find them for yourself - but, hey, that's what birding is about, isn't it? Congratulations to Crossbill on a lovely little book; this one actually made me want to go back there.