I have just read this beginners introduction to the kinds of wild birds you are likely to encounter at a WWT site. Aimed at the newcomer to waterbirds, it splits the birds into logical groups (if not exactly taxonomically correct) and in “Kate’s Top Tips” it appears to aim at provide the reader with various aides-mémoire to help in distinguishing the various species you are likely to encounter. This sounds like a great idea – even for a non-beginner – except that it has to be said that these aides may have been what originally helped Kate Humble remember the differences between species but I, for one, didn’t find them memorable at all and I can’t imagine that anyone else would either.
