Product Description
Birding Western Massachusetts features over 26 great birding locations in Western Massachusetts. Every site has been chosen either for diversity and volume of bird life, or for its unique and rare birds. All sites are easily accessible and open to the public year-round. Whether you are an avid birder looking for specific birds, or a casual nature enthusiast with an interest in seeing different kinds of birds, this guide will provide you with everything you need to make every birding experience a success.

Author Robert tougias presents a "habitat" approach to birding, showing how to use the awareness of habitat to find birds. With mountains, meadows, rivers, and reservoirs, a wide variety of habitats exists in western Massachusetts--from sub-alpine conditions to pitch pine scrubland. Within each habitat, a unique set of birds can be found. And what a variety! There are over 100 different birds nesting in western Massachusetts, and as many as 300 different birds are recorded annually through the seasons. Few people realize the ideal situation of such a large variety of birds, together with a large number of easily accessible places in which to view them. It is a winning combination for every birder at every level to enjoy. This guide allows you to seize this opportunity in an easy, userfriendly way.

Birding Western Massachusetts is written in a readable style that motivates the reader and helps ensure a productive birding day afield. It describes precise locations and seasons where rare and abundant species may be found. By carefully selecting the sites, you have the opportunity to see everything from eagles to songbirds to rare owls, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Also revealed are the best sites and times for viewing the numerous southern and northern species that migrate regularly through this region. The challenge of finding and identifying birds is made easier with trail maps, site directions, illustrations (by the author), information on bird identification and birding techniques, as well as the unique Quick Locator Reference, enabling you to quickly find the best sites for any bird. This guide will soon make better birders out of each reader. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Covers the area well
I now have some new local places to go to do birdning and photography. I am already planing spring/summer visits to the Quabbin resevoir area. A good reference guide with enough information to get you to the areas and hopefully find birds you are looking for. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (4)

Indispensible guide to birding in Georgia
When my daughter moved to Brunswick, Georgia, a couple years ago, I knew I would need help finding the local birds.Birding Georgia proved to be absolutely indispensible.It flew with me on both of my visits, and will go with me on my future visits, too.The information in the book is very accurate.The directions are great and the birds were located where the book said they would be!I've added many life birds with each visit.I love the Status and Distibution Charts at the back of the book. The charts make a great checklist and I can see easily what birds I am likely to find during each month of the year.Great when planning a visit. I highly recommend this book.

Birding Georgia is a very good overview of some of the best birding locations in the state.
I am planning a trip to Savannah and purchased this book as I had no idea where to bird in the area.I found the book to be a most helpful asset for my trip.In the three full days I'll be visiting Savannah, there were more than enough areas mentioned in this book to fill my days with birding.Each site lists birds you are likely to see by season (and even includes some historic information about some sites) and there is a handy index of bird species that references the sites listed in the book -just what I was looking for.

Great book!
Birding Georgia is the best book for birding in Georgia. If you are visiting Georgia or even live in Georgia, this is a must have for all bird watchers! I was amazed at how detailed it was with each spot, telling you exactly where you have the best chance of finding a certain species!

Birding the biggest state East of the Mississippi
Georgia, the largest state East of the Mississippi River, ironicallyhasmany undiscovered birding sites while offering the visitor many specialty birds such as Bachman's Sparrow and Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Giff Beaton's new bird findingguide book is fantastic! It is well organized, easy to use, and full ofconcise information and travel directions, with many informative insights into birds and the environment.The maps and directions are meticulous.Beyond directions and species occurrence data, there are many helpful tips on how to improve your chances of finding specific species.Theoccurrence charts are well researched and accurate and offer visitors and locals a helpful benchmark to determine what species should be present in which habitats throughout the year.Local birders and visitors alike should carrythis book in the field as they plan their journeys around the state. ... Read more

Product Description
With Birding Illinois you can explore over 110 greatbirding locations throughout the state. Some of the Midwest's bestbirding occurs in the Prairie State, thanks to the rich variety ofhabitat that includes woodlands, wetlands, hills, sandstone canyons,savannas, prairies, cypress swamps, and sand dunes. You will also findgood birding on the expansive Lake Michigan shoreline and along theMississippi and Illinois rivers. Experience the rushing sound ofthousands of American Golden-Plovers coursing across the sky or meetthe yellow-eyed stare of an adult Bald Eagle looking over the IllinoisRiver. The book includes detailed site maps and bar graphs showingstatus and distribution.Author Sheryl De Vore is an expert Illinoisbirder and serves as the Chief Editor of Meadowlark, the quarterlyjournal of the Illinois Ornithological Society. She knows the richbird life in the state and where to observe it. Birding Illinois willprove invaluable when you plan your next birding trip. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great Birding Book with Unique Information
This was purchased for my wife.She already knew that she liked this book because she had seen a friend's copy.The state status and distribution charts are very informative and do not appear to be available elsewhere, which makes this a very useful and unique resource.Descriptions of birding spots are also good and useful.

Birding Illinois
Wonderful how to book on birdwatching in Illinois. The book tells you where to go,the best times of day and year to go, and what you'll see when you get there.

very useful reference book
I bought this book not so much because I want to go birding, but because it lists over 110 bird refuges, conservation areas, creeks, forest preserves and tall grass praries, many of which I know I have driven by on the highway without realizing that just down a state or county road is natural habitat full of wildlife. Some of the areas covered will be familiar to anyone who has lived in Illinois (Morton Arboretum, Fermi Lab, Jackson Park, Montrose Harbor, Chicago Botanic Garden, Starved Rock State Park) but the others are probably new to most people -- Meredosia Wildlife Refuge, Midewin Tallgrass Prarie, Pecatonica River Forest Preserve, Kickapoo State Park, Mermet Lake, etc.

The entries are divided into regions (northeast, northwest, west-central and southern) with each featuring a map of the area with directions, and a list and description of the birds that live or migrate through there. There are also black & white photographs and beautifully-detailed sketches of birds scattered throughout the text. The entries include walking or driving tours and information about the best time of the year to visit the site as well as general information on the conditions of the area (with instructions on when you need to bring your own water, insect repellant and food), what times of the year it may be closed and whether there are picnic/camping areas.In some cases the history of the area is given (for example, the fact that Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area and Forest Preserve is named after a Native American chief who lived there with his tribe in the 1830s). Each entry also includes the name of the park district that supervises the area and the nearest town.

The book ends with a checklist of birds so you can keep track of the ones you have seen, a list of extinct and endangered birds, the official form for reporting a rare bird, a bibliograpy and a list of federal, state and county contacts with phone numbers and addresses.This is a terrific reference book as well as guidebook.I'm grabbing my binoculars, a picnic lunch, this book and heading out to explore the rest of Illinois!

Birding Illinois
Every state should have a bird-finding guide this good!The author has done a superb job in presenting not only some of the more well-known Illinois birding locations, but also provides many areas that even most ofIllinois' more experienced birdwatchers will find new and well worthexploring.Birders from outside of Illinois will probably be verysurprised to learn of the variety of habitats and birds that this state hasto offer once one leaves the seemingly birdless "corn and soybeandesert" that many see from the interstates that crisscross the state. For instance,the chances of seeing a Mississippi Kite in southern Illinoisare "good", as are such diverse species as Snowy Owl, Ross'sGoose, and Connecticut Warbler!Illinois may be one of the best locationsto see the elusive Smith's Longspur in the lower 48 states, and this guidewill tell you when, where and how to see one!This long overdue sitefinding guide to Illinois' best birding locations is the first to cover theentire state in 25 years!And it is much more than a site guide!Onlysomewhat larger than many field guides, it is none-the-less easilymanageable in the field (or in your car), and one should not be withoutthis book while birding the states highways and byways.The authorprovides maps as well as written descriptions on how to bird the areas, butone of the best features of this book is the list of "key birds"to be found at each location at the beginning of each site account.Inaddition, the "Seasonal Distribution Charts" at the back of thebook are the first of their kind for books on Illinois' birds, whichattempt to cover the whole state, and make this an invaluable addition tothis admirable reference work!The contributions from many of the state'smost experienced birdwatchers and ornithologists from all corners of thestate, guarantees the accuracy and thoroughness of the areas covered. Birders will find the sections on "Authors Favorite Sites","Illinois' Specialty Birds", and the "Birding Calender"particularly helpful additions compared to the more normal bird-findingguides, and should make it a much more easy task in planning their birdingtrip, including exactly where and when to go to add that particular birdspecies that is still missing from their list!The well chosen photographsand exemplary line drawings not only make an aesthetically nice addition tothe book, but give examples not only of some of the more typical birds tobe found in Illinois but also show the diversity of avian life to be seenthroughout the state.Not only is this book factually correct, but thewell-written prose of this obviously talented journalist is verydescriptive of the birds and birding destinations, and almost transportsone to each birding hotspot.Aside from the usual typos and a few smallerrors in a few of the maps, this book is an excellent "read",and a MUST for EVERY birdwatcher traveling to or residing in the state ofIllinois! ... Read more

Product Description
As the first stop in the continental United States for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, Washington offers a wide range of birding opportunities and species, from the typical fall migrations of ducks and geese to the convergence of millions of shore birds in Grays Harbor each spring. Highlighting the natural history and points of interest for birders in Washington, this guide is an excellent addition to Falcon's Birding Series. Maps and b&w photographs accompany easy-to-read, lively descriptions of the best places to find birds and at-a-glance information puts everything bird watchers need to know about getting there and enjoying the experience right at their fingertips.

Other books in the Birding series include Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Northern California, Texas, and Utah.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

good guide for washington birders
this book is what i belive one of the best book on places to bird in washington. the book includes 70 washington sites andeach site is given a profile that tells you what birds are there and when where to go to see them it also includes dirictions, nearby oppurtunities and the avalibility of camping. they also shows a map of the site and the surrounding area. this book is your best bet for finding washington birds for full profiles and more details on the birds of washington i would reccomend: Birds of Washington State

Decent info on the locations, but tough to navigate through
I picked this book up to help plan some birding stops on a business trip to Washington State, as I've never spent any time birding in Washington.While it does have a fair amount of good information about potential birding locations, I found the book difficult to use.

First and foremost, for those unfamiliar with Washington's geography, the location maps in the book provide little in the way of reference; outside of the Seattle area, the maps don't often offer much to go by, rarely placing cities or even major highways on the maps in any meaningful way.For example, I planned to bird primarily in the Tri-cities (Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco) area in central-to-southeastern Washington; though I was able to find some sites I knew to be in that area (like Hanford Reach), it was tough to piece together a logical loop or series of daytrips using the maps in the book, and I never saw any of those communities on the maps.

This lacking is in contrast to the other Falcon guides I've used, such as their Birding Northern California, which in general make it easy to zero-in on a particular area and explore many nearby sites easily.

I suggest birders interested in Washington instead consider A Birder's Guide to Washington; although Amazon rarely carries the ABA guides (and when they do, the books tend to be much pricier than if obtained straight from the American Birding Association or a local birder's or nature store), the ABA guide for Washington provides more in-depth information as well as a much easier-to-navigate (no pun intended) organization of the birding sites.

not good for Identifying birds quickly
this book tells you where to find birds but does not really help identify them.It is great for planning a birding trip but you need another book for identifying the birds you see quickly.

Good book - Useless Index
Since I'm planning a future birding trip to Washington state, I purchased this book as a reference for planning and executing my trip.I own several "Falcon Guides", and have found them all to be very informative and useful, until now.The information within this book is excellent, but finding what you want is VERY difficult.I can't believe anyone would publish a book/guide such as this and not include any place-names in the back-of-the-book index!!!The index is comprised entirely of bird names.Every other Falcon Guide I own has place-names in the index.Where was the editor on this? ... Read more

Product Description
A continuation of the successful BIRDING BY EAR system for learning bird songs.

Just as the original BIRDING BY EAR audio introduces listeners to a unique method of learning and remembering bird songs, MORE BIRDING BY EAR employs these proven techniques for ninety-six additional species of birds found east of the Rockies. Walton and Lawson have created learning groups of similar vocalizations and clearly point out distinguishing characteristics, using phonetics, mnemonics, and other memory aids. MORE BIRDING BY EAR will increase your skill and enjoyment in the field by helping you learn the vocalizations of twenty-five species of warblers, all of the North American rails, and an assortment of terns, other waterbirds, and passerines. Many shorebird call notes are also included.
Combine the auditory instruction here with the visual features of the Peterson Identification System. Page numbers in MORE BIRDING BY EAR's booklet refer to species descriptions in the PETERSON FIELD GUIDE TO BIRDS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL NORTH AMERICA, fifth edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

EDUCATIONAL
There is a lot of explanatory speech in CD. I was hoping to listen to bird sounds and relax when I ordered this. But all series of Birding by ear from PETERSON field guides are with speech. Actually it has the name guides, so I don't blame the product.

If you need to analyze and study bird sounds all series of "Peterson" are ideal for you.

If you want to relax listenning to the bird sounds, mixed with nature sounds like rivers, waves and rain, then you should check products from DON GIBSON (like bird morning songs or SACD-Surround Audio CD symphony).

good addition to learning bird calls
I had already purchased the set for Western Birds, and found this also a good addition to my library. These CD's are essential for one who loves to bird by ear, or is getting ready to hit the East coast, and are unfamiliar with many of the calls.......good purchase for me!

Review of Birding by Ear
Birding by Ear - cd's for learning - they are very good, right on, just take time and patience to learn.But very good.

More Birding by Ear
If you love listening to birdsong, this sequel to Birding by Ear is a must.First, I loved the first CD, Birding by Ear.The narrator takes you through many common birdsongs and gives you a handle on how to remember the song.I can now, for example, hear a Broadwinged Hawk before I ever see it; that is just one example of the skill one can obtain from listening to Birding by Ear.More Birding By Ear goes one step further than the first series; it gives you songs of coveted species of birds - birds such as Henslow's Sparrows, Northern and Louisiana Waterthrushes, Black and Yellow Rails - birds that are harder to find, elusive, or a challenge when making a visual ID.The narrator is superb - clear, concise, easy to remember; he makes what could be difficult simple.I simply love this CD - it is an indespensible tool!

big help
this CD is perfect, it is a compliment to Birding by Ear and having both of these is invaluable to learning the calls of the birds I see and hear in my area.I had heard the CD at my local Audabon shop and almost bought them there, Amazon was $10. cheaper and I bought both CD's. They are a joy to listen to and are very helpful to me. ... Read more

Product Description

"No one in Ohio is more familiar with areas to bird than Tom Thomson, and he has pulled this knowledge together to make birding more accessible and enjoyable for everyone." -- Richard B. Pierce, Chief, Ohio Division of Wildlife

"Enjoy this handbook. The volunteers made invaluable contributions and the author poured his heart and soul into it." -- Roger Tory Peterson

"Birders living in Ohio, or visiting that state, will welcome this new and enlarged edition of the state's standard bird-finding guide. Highly recommended."  -- Wildlife Activist

"Highly recommended for any birder living or traveling to Ohio."  -- Choice

"Many of the sites listed will produce great birding at appropriate times, and even a veteran Ohio birder will discover new sites by reading this book." -- Northwest Ohio Quarterly

Customer Reviews (2)

Good reference either in or travelling to Ohio
Tom Thomson has extensive knowledge about birding in Ohio and has led many briding trips in the Buckeye state. I have attended trips with Tom. His knowledged has been expertly shared in this reference. These comments are not gratuitous, they are sincere.

Great directions, poor maps.
I've owned this book for a number of years, and have found it really helpful for finding prime birding locations in Ohio.It could stand a little updating, & the maps are not very useful, but the detailed directions of how to get to a location are really useful, when coupled with a DeLorme map for the state.

Thomson's division of the state is also rather odd.There are locations that seem to be arbitrarily grouped into a geographic region that it doesn't seem appropriate to be in.

Overall, it is very useful if you're going to be doing birding in the state and are either a new Ohio birder, or coming from out-of-state to do some birding. ... Read more

Product Description
Boasting more than 220 full-color illustrations and maps, this is the perfect practical companion to the National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America. A must-have for birders everywhere, it's as useful at home as on the road, pinpointing the best places to see more than 400 species of birds from coast to coast.


Beginners and casual birders will appreciate the introduction on birding basics, which offers expert advice on how to prepare for the field. Then it's on to the heart of the book, organized into thirteen regions from New England to the Southwest. Each section begins with an overview map covering several states and showing major roads and hotspots. Next, each state has separate close-up maps that identify National and State Parks, bird sanctuaries, nature trails, and many other prime birding locations. Entries give clear directions to major sites along with notes on the birds you're likely to find there, the best seasons and time of day to see them, frequent sidebars on subjects of particular interest, and much more. Each state entry closes with a list of additional key places complete with specific contact information. Finally, a comprehensive index cross-references each bird with every site where it can be found.


A veritable pocket atlas of avian information, this guide will be equally useful to the novice just starting a lifelist and the advanced birder in search of an especially elusive species or a new and unique place to enjoy this enormously popular activity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

An Essential Guidebook for Planning Birding Trips!
Most bird watchers get their start by trying to identify the birds in their own backyard.As their knowledge increases their love for their new hobby takes them further and further afield.I have visited many of the major birding hot spots in the US and abroad and it has always amazed me to see how far someone will travel a add a single, elusive bird to their lifelist (myself included!)

As a birder's wanderlust develops so does their need for a guide book that highlights the major areas of interest in each state.Let me say for the record that no one book can do it all.ABA (The American Birding Association) sells over 30 guidebooks for the state of Texas alone!Some birding books will give you an overview of the whole state, some will give details on a portion of the state and others are dedicated to a single park or wildlife refuge, giving you maps of dirt trails, detailed lists of birds seen there, even suggestions of where to eat and what local guides to hire.Before one can delve into these details an area needs to be chosen from all of hundreds of options.That's where this well designed book comes in.

Before a person can plan a bird watching trip in detail they must first select their general destination (sometimes one is chosen for you, such as when combining a birding expedition with a visit a relative).Once the area of the country is selected and the specific state or part of the state is decided upon, then a date needs to chosen that will give the traveler the best chance of seeing as many different types of birds as possible.The National Geographic Guide to Birding Hot Spots is first divided into these regions:

*New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)
*Mid Atlantic (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland)
*South Atlantic (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia)
*Florida (S. Everglades and the Keys, Southeast and Southwest, Northern Peninsula, Panhandle)
*South Central (Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana)
*Eastern Texas (Upper Coast, Central Coast, Lower Texas Coast and the Rio Grande)
*The Heartland (Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin)
*North-Central (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky)
*The Plains (Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota
*Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Western Texas)
*California (Northern California, Southern California)
*Central Rockies (Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada)
*Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana)

In each section you will find:
- A fairly detailed map of the entire region with the Hot Spots listed by number
- A list of the Special Birds of that region
- A paragraph or two describing each hot-spot, including what birds to look for there
- The best time of the year to visit that area
- Rare Bird Alert Hotline numbers
- Phone numbers and websites for each hot spot
- A photograph taken in each state
- Drawings of birds taken from National Geographic's Field Guide to the Birds of North America

The Books ends with a list of suggested "Additional Reading" for each region.

The photographs are excellent (this is from National Geographic after all) but purposely small.This is not intended to be a coffee table book for armchair travelers (I have some of those too and I look at them when I want to be inspired, not for guidance).Instead, this book is designed as a working field guide, something to be carried around and poured over, to be used on the kitchen table along with road maps when planning a birding trip.It is well thought out, concise and practical.It, like my Sibley's field guide, will never be far from my side.

Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die: Birding Experts Share The World's Greatest Destinations

Where the Birds Are

Birding Hot Spots a great Guide
Finally, a book with specific places to go for good birding by regions and then by state.This book has been so helpful.It tells what birds to expect where saving all levels of birders much time.It is a great companion to National Geographic's Field Guide.

Moderate detail
Many an out-of-state birder wants a guide to local hot spots or a guide to finding specific species.
Perhaps this guide tries to do too many things and thus does all of them only moderately well.
Directions within specific areas are often general only. Similarly the species lists are too frequently vague regarding time of year or location. I think the internet with its rapid notification and very detailed locations, makes this printed reference seem doubly vague.
Within those limits this is a useful tool.

guide to birding hot spots
My wife and I can't wait to visit the sites mentioned in this great bird manual. Very clear and precise and in excellent condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Birding is booming. The hobby (or, in many cases, passion, or even addiction) has been growing steadily for years, according to studies conducted by both governmental and private organizations. An amazing number of people -- more than 70 million, by one 2001 survey of recreation preferences -- say they participate in birdwatching.
Undoubtedly, many of these people simply put feeders in their back yards and enjoy watching the hummingbirds, chickadees, and goldfinches that show up. But just as certainly, more and more birders are venturing out to discover the fun of seeing new birds in new places, whether it's a drive through a national wildlife refuge or a guided walk at a nature preserve.
Once someone has discovered the joys and challenges of birding, it doesn't take long to learn that there are places in the United States that experienced birders visit as surely as geese fly south in the fall. These spots are to birders what the Rockies are to skiers, or Pebble Beach is to golfers. Such a place is the region encompassing the Texas Gulf Coast and the lower Rio Grande Valley -- now the home of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, a state-designated driving route connecting more than 300 birdwatching sites from the Louisiana state line to the Mexican border. Brown highway signs, marked with the profile of a Black Skimmer, point the way to these bird-rich destinations.
Exploring the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail examines highlights of this popular route: locations ranging from national wildlife refuges with tens of thousands of acres to small city parks to stretches of isolated road passing through birdy habitat. In this guide, expert birder/writer Mel White profiles more than 80 of the best sites along the trail, chosen for diversity of habitat, species, and seasonality; productivity; and accessibility. Site listings give general (and often specific) directions, contact information (including websites when available), advice about when and how to bird the location, and a listing of some of the notable species that might be found.Also featured are nearby museums, nature centers, festivals, and accommodations of particular interest to the visiting birder.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Brief guide to highlights
I'm not familiar with the area, so I cannot comment on the accuracy of the text, but I can tell you what the book offers.
It covers the whole Texas Coastal Birding Trail, from Lufkin and Port Arthur to Laredo and Brownsville in just 134 pages. Most sites have about a page and a half of description. There are area maps, but not detailed site maps, although the text may describe some trails and their vegetation. The sites are grouped by area: southeastern Texas, the upper coast, the coastal bend, the lower Rio Grande valley, and the upper valley.
Birds that you may see are listed in the text. I found the time-of-year descriptions spotty -- for example, he says "during spring migration" without indicating when it is likely to start and stop.
A few birder-friendly accommodations are mentioned; be aware that most of these are quite expensive. Nature festivals are also listed. There is an index of birds and of the sites. ... Read more

Product Description
Combining useful facts with humorous advice, a witty guide to birding covers how to watch birds without leaving home, collecting the proper equipment, identifying birds, and understanding bird behavior.20,000 first printing. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

INFORMATIVE, ENJOYABLE, HILARIOUS, INSIGHTFUL
There were very few pages in this book that did not bring a smile to my face at the very least, and quite a number of the pages brought me to full laughter.There were very few pages in this book that did not teach me something!

What we have here is an author, who is a very, very knowledgeable birder; one who has done his research and we have an author with an outrageous sense of humor who is able to articulate the ridiculous.We also have a writer who while obviously takes his birding quite serious, has not fallen into the trap f taking himself too serious.This is a wonderful combination.If you enjoy the work of Dave Barry; his style and sense of humor, then you certainly will enjoy Slinger.To be quite frank, I did not know that Canadians could be so funny.

Take great care here though and do realize that, as others here have pointed out, that this work is not the birding book that your normal button down type will have on his or her shelf...no, no, no!Some of the humor, again being quite honest, is more often noted in the locker rooms of the local high school or college gym, and not in your ordinary Bostonian Tea Room.This is okay though, as the author does it well; actually he quite often uses it in the form of drop lines that catch you off guard...making his comment all the more amusing.His use of the one-two-three punch line via the use of footnotes take a bit of getting use to at first, but once the reader gets use to it, the lost rhythm of the read is well worth it.

Slinger does take some pretty good shots at birders in general.I am embarrassed to tell you that more often than not, I was amused and horrified to see myself over and over again.

"Some hawk-watchers call other birds "dickey birds," and the birders who watch them "dickey-bird watchers."That gives you a pretty good idea of their point of view.Some hawk-watchers get out in even the foulest weather.These are known as "dumb-assed hawk-watchers."

In reference to the mating habits of prairie chickens or Shape-tailed Grouse, the author writes:

"Maybe 10 percent of the males do 75 percent of the shagging.Some guys just don't have what it takes."

Amongst the humor though is a tremendous amount of knowledge being offered.This information though is not doled out in crisp, dry text book fashion though, it woven in and out of a very readable narrative.It is a perfect example of learning a bunch of somewhat mundane information and enjoying and chuckling through every minute of it.Right away I was impressed with the no nonsense discussion of optics the author served up.I have been birding for well over 50 years now, read literally hundreds of books on the subject and have traveled far seeking elusive feathered creatures.Each birding outing makes me acutely aware of just how fence post ignorant I am on the subject of birds and the bits and pieces I picked up from this read just went further to prove the point of my acknowledged ignorance...I learned much!

As a birder, if you are able to laugh at yourself and all your little foibles and quirks, then you are going to enjoy this work greatly.If you are under the impression that you have "learned it all," then your system is in for a big shock.If you take yourself oh so very serious, then prepare to have your ego elbowed just a bit.

I will be giving this work a second and third read shortly.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Birds Slouch?!
Oh my.What to say about this book.Sort of like Dave Barry meets Roger Tory Peterson.A light hearted look at birds and those who watch them.No pictures, but fun and useful none the less.Slinger's brief descriptions in the last half of the book are spot-on, with gems like "meadowlarks slouch", and "Swainson's hawks soar wobbly".Both apt descriptions and useful in the field, too.And he doesn't mince words when describing "dickass birders" and such, either.Alas, I can see myself all too often in his descriptions of birders and their birding antics.A good read.

funny and educational
So funny you'll forget you're learning anything ... but don't be fooled. This guy is introducing you to important concepts that will help launch you into bird watching with a passion, while still being able to laugh at yourself for doing it.

Funny, insightful, and helpful.
This is a great book. I like animals but I'm happy if I can just identify things around the neighbourhood, never mind travelling to Africa to watch migrants. Slinger gives a lot of helpful tips for the beginning birder. Particulars of the birds mentioned are specific to North America, but I got my copy secondhand from the Singapore National Library booksale - the general guidelines will be helpful to anyone anywhere in the world who's interested in birdwatching (e.g. how to pick a pair of binoculars, how to use a field guide, etc.)

I'm on my second reading. Nuff said.
How -- and why -- to pish.
The four courtship patterns of birds.
How to pronounce pyrrhuloxia.
How birds have solved the diaper problem.
Why to visit Niagara Falls in November.
On being a dork.

And other essential information for birders.

I'm glad I bought it.
... Read more

Product Description
This easy-to-follow guidebook spans 18 counties in eastern Florida to showcase 136 birding sites from the Georgia border to Lake Okeechobee, including the Jacksonville and Orlando metropolitan areas. The sites, organized into clusters of five to ten, are all within an hour's drive of one another and are identified on individual as well as regional maps. Each site is described from a birder's point of view and includes directions, hours of operation, seasonal birding opportunities, and other information essential for a successful outing.

Unique to the book are 27 essays written by state experts to round out the reader's understanding of issues specific to species and habitats. The conservation needs of each area, bird-watching ethics, and resources for additional information are also covered.

The Great Florida Birding Trail project, sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, seeks to unify existing and new birding sites on a 2,000-mile trail through the state. It will combine special highway signs identifying Birding Trail sites with a detailed map. The East Florida section, now open and available for use, will be followed by West Florida, Panhandle Florida, and South Florida at intervals of 18 months. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book!
This is a great book. I highly recommend it to birders and nature lovers. It is wonderful to visit the sites listed and experience these beautiful creatures first hand. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

Overpriced and underwritten
The book costs $9.95 but consists of little more than slightly edited versions of what the author put on his blog. The idea behind the blog is intriguing: being a naturalist in a war zone. The book is really a series of reports: he saw such and such birds in such and such a place. The poignancy of what he is doing never comes through. And the price? Ridiculous. It's worth maybe $5. Read it at the bookstore.

Inspired by nature...
This book and Jonathan Trouern-Trend blog inspired me during a difficult time and was an inspiration for my own project.

I remember a few years ago listening to Public Radio and hearing him speak for the first time. I was driving down the road listening to him speak on the radio, crying and profoundly inspired all at the same time!

During this time in our dark history his work has been an inspiration and a comfort for many. There is something incredible in a person when they can rise above such trauma and destruction to produce something so beautiful.

I am also impressed with how he describes the resilience and potential of nature to serve us with healing under any circumstance. I look forwards to more of the same from this author!

[...]

Birding in war zone
This started out as a soldiers blog, and has more of a travelogue feel, rather than a war correspondent feel of it.The author is most interesting when presenting his walks around the camp, and finding birds in back of the laundry camp and travels.And exotic birds they are: such as Squacco heron,Greater spotted eagle, Egyptian Vulture, purple swamphen, whiskered tern, and blue-checked bee-eater.What is missing however any introspection about the war, Sadam's effect on the environment, or contrast of being in a war zone and observing nature.

Enjoyed hearing about his birding experiences in Iraq
Being a bird enthusiast, AND having a son in the US Army inspired me to buy (and read) this book.I had originally bought it to give to my son (who enjoyed watching birds...mostly raptors....as a child), I decided to read it myself and was amazed at the species of birds this soldier was seeing over there.Sounds like (in addition to his mission) he did have some downtime and had some positive things to say about the region, which was nice. It has to be hard to be away from your family and friends for so long....and Jonathan found a way to stay busy and keep upbeat. Kudos to him, and God Bless our military!

Birding Babylon-Simple Beauty in Wartime
This is a small, beautiful book.The natural phenonomena and bird-life that Jonathan Trouern-Trend desribes with such simple elegance in Birding Babylon is both comforting and poignent as it all takes place in Iraq near the beginning of our most recent conflict there.

I salute Mr. Trouern-Trend, both as a fellow "birder" as well as a poet.His writing is spare and unembelished, yet the warm sentiment he awakens in the naturalist' heart is undeniable.Here, again, poignance was the feeling he inspired, as well as admiration for a job well-done.

I love this little book. I bought 3 more copies as soon as I read it to give to friends.

Thank you, Sergeant Trouern-Trend. I salute you!Beth Hall, San Diego, CA ... Read more

Product Description
King penguins in Antarctica, cassowaries in Queensland, cocks-of-the rock in Peru. This gorgeous book describes the one hundred best bird-watching sites on the planet. Introductory sections give an overview of each continent or region, and then each site is listed and ranked on a country-by-country basis. The entries all include a full description, a list of key species, a map, and information on the best time of year to visit. Lavish color photographs capture rare and elusive species as well as some of the world's best avian spectacles, such as the snow goose blizzard at Bosque del Apache and the flocks of lesser flamingos on Africa's Rift Valley lakes. Many birding sites are included for their unique avifauna, endemics, and oddities--the Seychelles, Andasibe in Madagascar, Taveuni in Fiji, and the Alaka`i wilderness in Hawaii, among others. With its truly global coverage--of the huge flocks of wintering geese in Britain and the United States, the cranes in both Japan and France, the "river of raptors" passage at Veracruz in Mexico, and much more--this book will inform and inspire anyone who plans to visit, or who dreams of visiting, these extraordinary locations.
Copub: New Holland Publishers (UK) Ltd. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great Wish List
Chose this book over several related ones based on Amazon reviews. Highly recommend. Only downside is spots are ranked 1 - 100, but the list only appears, out of order, on the inside leaf. Not ranked in terms of number of species to be seen, but on general appeal of the place. Thus some places will only give a small number of species, but they are quality ones.

A good book, but could be better
I have a couple of problems with this book despite its good content.First, this book is too large.For some odd reason they designed it as a coffee table book rather than as a reference book.It is too tall to fit on any book case. Very inconvenient. My second complaint about the book is that although the sites are generally described, one would have expected a bird list of the birds one could see at each site.There is no list.The sites are ranked 1 through 100.It does appear that some of the ranked sites are there because they have a few endemics. At least that is the impression one arrives at from reading the description.How many of the 9000+ birds of the world can be seen at these 100 sites?That would have been interesting to know. And which ones are they.

Armchair travel on the trail of the most exotic species
This is a glorious book! The photography alone will bring bird aficionados hours of viewing pleasure (even though the photographs are not original to the book). The 100 birding sites are divided into regions, and for each site there is a short summary presentation (habitat, key species, best times to visit), followed by three pages or so of more detailed descriptions of the site and species, along with four or five pictures, usually of the flagship species, sometimes also of the habitat. Inside the front and back covers a large world map pinpoints the location of the 100 sites, and a list on the side allows for easy cross-referencing between the map and the page numbers, while also providing a ranking (in case you are curious, the top-ranked site worldwide is the Spiny Forest in SW Madagascar, and the last one to make it into the list is Liaoning in Eastern China). Too bad there is no alphabetical list; nor is there any practical information about how to get to the sites. A useful feature, however, is the alphabetical English index in the back of the book, which also lists the Latin names (under the English lemmas). Overall this book is a very felicitous combination of a coffee table book and a reference work for serious birders into "lists". Whether for armchair travel or for actual inspiration, it cannot be beat, and certainly not at this price. ... Read more

Product Description
From the Great Plains to the Arctic tundra, the American West, including Alaska, is home to a stunning variety of birds. This indispensable volume, both a field guide and a site-finding guide, provides an ideal introduction to the pleasures of birding west of the Mississippi. Featuring practical but little-known tips for identifying birds, it will be welcomed by beginning as well as seasoned birders.

Birding in the American West: A Handbook tells where to go, what birds to look for, and how to identify them.

describes the exciting and varied bird habitats found in the West.

is heavily illustrated with drawings and photographs to help birders in the field.

spells out useful techniques for distinguishing among similar-looking species and addresses difficult cases in far greater detail than do standard field guides.

features species accounts with valuable information on bird location, behavior, and field marks.

presents detailed listings by state on where to find birds, with an emphasis on the microhabitats of especially sought-after birds.

teaches bird-finding and bird-identifying skills applicable anywhere. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not just for those in the west!!
This handbook is highly recommended to ALL North American birders and visitors, not just those in the west.
This is essentially three books in one. The first section deals with general birding tips, and is applicable to everyone.
The second, and largest, section deals with difficult identifications. This is very similar to Kenn Kaufman's Advanced Birding (Roger Tory Peterson Field Guides). The species covered are those that can be found in the west, but can also be beneficial to those of us in the eastern portion of the country. For example, each of the empidonax flycatchers are covered in great detail.
The last section is a general bird-finding guide to western specialties. This section won't be as detailed as those found in more specific guides, but are still helpful to those who want to find a good spot to see certain birds.

This is a great reference for all North American birders.

Birding in the American West: a handbook
Serious bird-watching enthusiasts are known for traveling halfway aroundthe world to see a particular species of bird.They are also greatconsumers of bird-related literature.Finally, advanced birders tend tospend a disproportionate amount of time focusing on superficially similarspecies that are hard to identify and/or find.This book will satisfy suchbirding enthusiasts who can use it to build a store of knowledge on birdhabitat associations, seasonal patterns of bird abundance, and nuances offield identification by sight and sound.Mr. Zimmer makes it clear thathis book does not intend to provide directions to specific sites in theWest (from ND to TX and west, including AK).Rather, it seeks to providegeneralizable information that can be used anywhere.As such, it is anovel and useful new volume with numerous black-and-white illustrations andphotographs of similar species and sought-after birds. This is anaccessible book for beginning and advanced birders living in or planning avisit to the western U.S. ... Read more

Product Description
For the thousands of local birdwatchers and the manyhundreds of visitors, this glove compartment-sized book places all theexcitement and opportunity of the Delaware Valley's 335 species ofbirds within convenient reach. Huge in coverage yet compact in size,Birding the Delaware Valley Region is the first comprehensivebird-finding guide available for the region.

With detailed directions like "behind the airport," "follow the shabbyroad off to the left," and "lock the car and walk the railroadtracks," this exuberant handbook tells the birder exactly how to getto the best locations and what to do when he's there. In addition toproviding maps showing topographical outlines, it surveys key areas(all within a two-hour drive of Philadelphia) where most of theregion's birds can be found: Hawk Mountain, Cape May Point State Park,Ridley Creek State Park, Tinicum Marsh, Brigantine National Wildliferefuge, and Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Mini-chapters discuss additional birding "hot spots" famous for greatnumbers of migrants, and short references to another thirty "spots"round out the regions' bird refuges to more than seventy. Simplecross-checking can be done with the annotated list, the list ofaccidental or casual species, the bibliography, and the index locatedat the end of the guide. Every question the visitor might ask and thenative might wonder about is answered concisely and fully. ... Read more

Product Description
Each year a wide variety of birds and numerous birders flock to Mississippi's Gulf Coast, making it one of the most exciting bird watching locations in the U.S. In this definitive guidebook, three seasoned Mississippi birders lead the reader through the area's swamps, forests, and beaches, dispensing plenty of insider advice along the way. Maps and bar graphs illustrating monthly probability of occurrence ensure that, no matter what time of year, visitors will find a trip to the region to be a rewarding birding experience. Includes listings for all coastal species and the months in which they appear as well as detailed maps for Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties. ... Read more

Product Description
Thoroughly researched, well-organized, and clearly written, Birding Utah will better your chances of having a successful outing. Each description details habitat, specialty birds, best time of year and day to bird, birding strategies, and easy-to-follow directions. Featuring 100 birding sites, this guide also includes chapters on the state's diverse ecoregions and plant communities, discussing distribution and providing a checklist and bar graphs of nearly 400 bird species. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Birding information in detail
I was a little disappointed that there were no pictures. I know that sounds juvenille but there are so many species that are similar in appearance, written text cannot describe accurately the differences. Photos of the subject would have been helpfull with all the other detailed information in this book.

Utah Birds
The field guide had good information on locations/sites for finding birds in Utah.Good maps and clear information. Just what I needed.

Great resource for birders and outdoor enthusiasts.
Birding Utah provides a comprehensive resource for finding birds in Utah.The extensive information provided should prove extremely useful for novice to expert birders, as well as any outdoor enthusiast.

The book includes 5 chapters and an extensive appendix of birding and travel information sources.It is scientifically accurate and well written in a casual style.Chapter One details the basics of planning a successful birding trip, which should be most useful to novice birders.The second chapter describes Utah's biological environment from a broad-scale description of topography and climate to a finer resolution of habitats.Reading this chapter should give you an intimate feeling of the biological organization and spatial qualities of the state.The majority of the book is devoted to chapter 3, a description of 112 potential birding sites grouped according to region.The sites range from potential day trips to longer overnight excursions.The amount of detail that is provided for each site makes this book much more than a birding guide, but a travel guide for nature around the state.Included for each site are a list of habitats, birds, best times to bird, suggestions on where birds may be seen, directions to the site, general area information, a map, potential hazards, nearest facilities, and camping locations.It is obvious that each site has been researched by the author.The fourth chapter is a listing of birds that occur within the state; and associated habitat type, the regional distribution, and seasonal occurrence within the state. In chapter 5, the author has selected 50 "sought after" birds and details where and when the birds are likely to be found, and the chances for viewing one of these species. This chapter is unique to this birding guide because it also includes fine-scaled distribution maps based on current habitat types.

My only criticism with the book is the manner in which it has been bound.For a field guide that is likely to get a significant amo! unt of use outdoors, I wonder if the binding will hold up very long.A more substantial binding would have been of great value. ... Read more

Product Description
The newest in our popular children's activity line for budding bird lovers!

This informative field guide and activity book teaches kids about birds of all varieties, in the city, country, desert, or at the beach-because no matter where you go, you're bound to spot a bird! Kids will learn about making the backyard bird-friendly, building a bird feeder, and creating their own bird watching notebook to record sightings, locations, information, and notes from the field.

From city birds (the Ruby Throated Hummingbird) to desert birds (the Red-tailed Hawk), kids of all ages will learn about common and not-so-common birds, with detailed diagrams and illustrations. With activities like how to grow a garden to attract birds and how to contribute to the care of the native birds in the area, this is the perfect book to get kids engaged with our feathered friends at an early age, and to encourage them to go outside and have fun while they learn!

Fran Lee has illustrated and designed many books in the Gibbs Smith activity book series including Cooking on a Stick, Haunting on a Halloween, Riding on a Range, Wishing on a Star, and Putting on a Party. Fran lives in Los Angeles. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Concise and kid-friendly intro to birding
Backyard Birding for Kids offers an introduction that's well targeted to the middle elementary school reader. Plenty of headers, short sidebars, and colorful computer art on every page make the text appealing and accessible to modern young eyes. Readers and browsers will quickly learn how to get started in bird watching, first in their own backyards, then on birding expeditions.
Instructions for hands-on activities, some requiring adult assistance, describe how to attract birds, how to make various feeders, how to start a bird-watching club, and what to do if you find a baby bird. An unusual suggestion is the "birdbath dripper," a simple device that lets wild birds enjoy a backyard shower. Also scattered throughout the text are fun facts. It's impressive to realize the scales on a bird's legs and feet are a visible link to their prehistoric reptilian ancestors.
No substitute for a comprehensive bird-identification guide, this book contains only a handful of bird descriptions for each habitat (backyard, city, woods, countryside, wetlands, seashore, and desert), and the illustrations lack sufficient detail for identifying exact species. The text differentiates American crow from common raven, for example, but their pictures are almost indistinguishable. Identification is not the book's main purpose, and the list of things to pack in a birder's backpack starts with a regular field guide, along with a notebook, binoculars, hat, ID, and such.
The real strength of Backyard Birding for Kids lies in the way the book offers concise and kid-friendly bites of information that will intrigue readers without overwhelming them.

Get the kids out of the house!
The book is bound for durability and printed on heavy paper for continued and enthusiastic use by children.As expected, the book is a basic introduction to birding, beginning with brief, easy-to-understand discussions on what a birdwatcher is, where to look, and what equipment is needed.Common names and species names are discussed and very informative sections are provided on the field mark system, parts of a bird (feathers, etc.), bird song, bird-watching etiquette, and the obvious, "birds are everywhere!"

The next several sections of the book delve into the various bird worlds, such as city birds, woodland birds, country birds, wetland birds, seashore birds, and desert birds.Common birds representing these habitat types are illustrated cartoon-like, but are adequate enough to bring out the field marks and allow for children to have an enjoyable time identifying birds.

Intermixed through these habitat sections are a variety of projects in which children can participate, such as starting a birding group, making hummingbird feeders and nesting boxes, planting sunflower gardens, and making birdbaths.Near the end of the book there are brief biographies on James Audubon and Roger Tory Peterson, two great men, and two great influences on birding.Also, advice is given on what to do when a baby bird is found and how to create a birding journal.

Overall, the book covers every aspect of birding that a child requires to start this wonderful and interesting hobby.For any child showing interest in birds and wildlife, this book is highly recommended as a starting point.

Just for kids
This is a fun book for kids with good information on watching birds.The cartoon book format might actually get kids outdoors.Give this and a pair of binoculars as a gift.

Birding for Kids if fun!
This is a good book for young children (7-10) starting in birding.There is a lot of interesting facts about common birds.There is also ideas for homemade treats and homemade bird boxes and baths.I enjoyed this book myself.I would recommend it for the young "birder" in your family. ... Read more