Customer Reviews (1)

Good but out of date
This book was very accurate and to the point in it's time.Several of the areas described have changed substantially since the bok was first published. There were two new books published in 1996 that treat the same material in a more up to date way.Connecticut Birding Guide, Devine and Smith, and Finding Birds in Connecticut, Rosgren and Billings ISBN 96-068691. ... Read more

Product Description
Follow the travels of Eggbert, Sammi, and all the BLUES as they discover an amazing variety of birds across America from the eagle in Alaska, to the woodpecker in Michigan, to the mockingbird in Georgia. Read their fascinating journals and Eggbert s birding tips. This book, the first in a series, is not just an imaginative travelogue - it s also a young person s primer to birdwatching! Originally inspired by Louise s drawings combining realistic birds with caricature birds, the BLUES offer a delightful way to introduce young children to birds and birding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Must Read
Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (almost age 6) for Reader Views (05/10)

Grayce:"The book follows a band of bluebirds who are looking for a new song and they think they are going to find it from other birds. They should make up their own song like `Hey, hey we're the bluebirds.' I learned that the bald eagle sounds like kak kak. I learned that scientists track birds with bands on their feet. I learned that seagulls eat trash and shouldn't eat breads because it grows in their stomachs. The roadrunner can run at 15 mph. The great horned owl eats other owls! The red headed woodpecker's tongue wraps around its skull! Hummingbirds hum with the wind not their beaks. And mocking birds can mock a cellphone! My favorite part would be all the pictures to describe the story. Sammy said, `Girls rock!' I think girls rock too."

Parent's comments: From the beginning, Grayce was immediately drawn in to the story as told through the little family of bluebirds. She made comments like, "I like the fact they have little hats. One has a funny Mohawk. It looks like it's going to be a fun and cute book. This is an awesome book." We really lingered over this book and re-read it as we tried to remember something unusual about each bird. Just today when we saw six vultures tearing apart a dead opposum in the road and heard them grunting, we were reminded of this book and that the lowly vulture is actually a "helpful citizen who keeps our environment clean by eating dead animals." "The Blues Go Birding Across America" is the second book we have read from Dawn Publications, whose books all strive to share nature with children, and I plan on buying more.

Great book about fascinating creatures
If you were a bird, what kind of song would you like to sing?In another "Sharing Nature with Children Book" from Dawn Publications, the BLUES--Bing, Lulu, Uno, Sammi, and Eggbert--are a band of singing birds who have a Fourth of July concert at the White House lawn.So they decide to take a trip across the United States to listen to various birds in different locations in hopes of finding a new song for their concert.Just a few of the fifteen birds that they hear are the bald eagle in Alaska, the great roadrunner in New Mexico, the pileated woodpecker in Michigan, and the roseate spoonbill in Florida.Some of them have beautiful melodies, while others make various kinds of sounds.So, whose song will the BLUES pick?
Birds are fascinating creatures.Carol L. Malnor, co-author of Earth Heroes: Champions of the Wilderness which I have previously reviewed, and Sandy F. Fuller have teamed up to create a cute fictional story that is enjoyable for kids to read and also contains a great deal of natural history facts.Each opening contains a life-like, full-color illustration of a bird by Louise Schroeder, along with a birding tip by Eggbert, a page from the notebook of one of the BLUES, and a "Field Guide" with additional information about the bird under consideration.In addition to the material about the birds, there's some geography here too, with a map of the United States showing where each of the birds was found, followed by a page with suggestions on "How to Have More Fun with Birds" and "How to Learn More About Birds."This is a great resource for helping children become interested in birds and learn more about them.The next book in the series will be The BLUES Go Birding at Wild America Shores.
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Customer Reviews (8)

This is a technical review for Kindle books the iPad
I first downloaded a sample of this book because I wanted to see how good or bad the plates were on an iPad.Unfortunately the color plates weren't in the sample, so I opted to spend $9.59 to find out what they'd look like on the iPad.

The plates are FANTASTIC! As clear and crisp as a printed birding book.The reader can also expand the plates to get a detailed look at the birds, although at a certain point, the illustration cannot get any larger without losing clarity.The expanded size does allow the reader to focus on specific, but tiny details, such as the presence or absence of a white line above the bird's eye and whether the wings fold over each other or simply meet on the birds back.

For those who use Amazon frequently, but don't have a Kindle, there is a free Kindle App for the iPhone and iPad.Once downloaded, the user can shop for Kindle books via the App. Amazon will send the book out via Whispernet immediately. Users can also browse and buy Kindle ebooks on the PC (having a larger screen is helpful when you want to browse or compare similar books). Once purchased you can download the book the next time the iPad connects to your PC with the USB cable.(This also works if you are out of Whispernet's range.)

I thought the iPad would be the "Kindle killer" because iBooks is tied to the Barnes & Noble eBook site.Amazon clearly figured out "if you can't beat them, join them."Both sites are worth checking because books at either site are not always the same price.

Using iPad for Kindle books means that there are 2 readers on the iPad - one for Barnes & Noble, the other for Kindle - but that is very easily manageable.

As for the book, it is designed for novice bird watchers.Experienced birders can field identify and differentiate between the similar looking species of birds identified in the book.But even for seasoned bird watchers, the section on how to distinguish the Northern Waterthrush from an Ovenbird from a Hermit Thrush and a Woodthrush is very helpful given the difference in markings is very subtle.This is also where the ability to magnify the plates comes in handy.

In sum, good book for beginners, and great demonstration of how great the iPad is as an eReader.

It's been as close to perfect so far.
I bought this book for my girlfriend who wanted a good bird book.It's been phenomenal.

The picture comparison of the birds are excellent and detailed, as well as the descriptions being brief, informative, and to the point.Easy to identify birds in a moment after a brief glimpse of the actual birds.

I highly recommend this book, and this is from someone who didn't really know much about birds at all from a technical stand point."Blue" or "brown, mostly" is good enough to find what you are looking for.

-John
South East, PA, Northern MD Area

Best Buy!
I ordered this book as a gift for my mom and she loves it! I looked through it before sending it to her. The cover is indestructible, the pages don't stick together, the illustrations are fantastic. I think this would also be a great book for children who are interested in birds. It's very informative and easy to read. There's even a section in the book that shows you what the bird looks like flying in the distance (so you can tell by the way they hold their wings whether they're an Eagle or a Vulture.) Great book. Thank you!

Easy to use.
This bird guide is very well arranged, grouping everything from songbirds to gamebirds to raptors (hawks, etc.) according to primary color and habitat. Also provides numerous extras to aid in identifying bird types as well as individual species. The illustrations are top quality. While not comprehensive, the book covers all the birds you're likely to see in your backyard, nearby woods, ponds and streams, and makes it easy to look them up. Recommended, especially for beginners.

Get it !
Very good ! A must have . Way better than the big ones. It really helped use with just about all the birds ! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Birding Mid-Coast Maine
If this book was titled like my review, Birding Mid-Coast Maine, I would recommend it highly, since it does a great job with the Mid-Coast region (roughly Darmiscotta to Mt. Desert Island), outside of that area it is poor.A guide to birding in Maine that does not even mention Scarborough Marsh???Something like 3 sites mentioned in all of Southern Maine, which I know fairly well, and no better for the Downeast region and upstate, which I would like to know better.Needs much better research before it can be called "Birding Maine".

Too much left out.
I was excited when I pre-ordered this new book! After getting it I am quite dissapointed. No mention of Machias Seal Island where Puffin watching (and lots of other birds) is truly amazing. I Didn't see anything on Mt. Desert Island where I have observed eagles, loons, and many more birds. Paper quality not very good.I just feel that this was a quickly done, poor quality attempt to cover the state of Maine but it didn't quite make it for me!! ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

Well illustrated, but not complete
Hi;In NM we have some birds not illustrated.This is a clear and easy to use book.Doesn't include much information about the birds, like nesting, eating and mating.It is pretty easy to find the birds they have.It isn't easy to find any reference material on the southwest so I am glad for this book.

Very good, but...
This book is a great size and good degree of complexity for a novice/intermediate birder. It sorts birds by a reasonable combination of size, color, and family (i.e., sparrows). I think a sort by habitat would make it significantly more useful. Also the book contains no maps of ranges. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Comprehensive birding guide for the whole state of Conn.
This is a comprehensive guide to birding in Connecticut. Ir provides important information on what birds can be found in the state, when and where they can be found and even provides information on how to identifythe more difficult species.It is aimed at both novice and advancedbirders, so there is ample birding info for all.

Great book for Connecticut locations
This book will give you a good start on birding CT.The best places to bird are described in detail and the directions are right on.The authors are experienced, knowledgeable, long time CT Birders. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (2)

invaluable for an out of state birder
This book will not only help me locate some lifers but also save me time, gas and thus money.The information for each of the 44 prime birding areas includes a quick summary of habitat, key birds, specialty birds, best time to bird and driving directions and then more detailed directions and birding information for each site within that area. Although a good reference guide, it could be great if it included a summary of all the key sites for each of Oregon's speciality birds.Additionally I am predictingthat locale maps will be helpful for my future birding efforts.

A New Birding Guide for Oregon
Falcon Guides have, through the years, become one of the most reliable nature-oriented publishers in the US. Over the past ten years or so, dozens of volumes dealing with everything from hiking, to nature watching, to birding and beyond have been published, usually to much acclaim. Like any publishing firm, of course, some of Falcon's volumes are far superior to others. Birding Texas, for example, one of the oldest guides to birding the Lone Star State, is still one of the best on the market. The far more recent Birding North Carolina, on the other hand, while interesting, is "thin" and lacking in dozens of ways.John Rakestraw's Birding Oregon, the latest in Falcon's multi-volume series, falls somewhere in the middle between these two examples.

Oregon is, quite obviously, a huge state with an unbelievable diversity of geography, from 10,000 feet-plus mountains to high desert regions, from hundreds of miles of Pacific Ocean coastline to forests which seemingly never end.For birding enthusiasts, it probably is unreasonable to expect that any one volume would be able to provide a thorough guide to the state's complexity. Certainly, this particular book does not fulfill that need. That having been said, however, Rakestraw (and Falcon) have done birders and nature-lovers, whether residents of Oregon or simply tourists passing through, an important service.In Birding Oregon, the author has focused on what he calls "44 Prime Birding Areas with More Than 200 Specific Sites" where one might realistically find a wide diversity of birds within the state. Oregon has long needed such a modern guide like this--the most recent before Rakestraw's study came out in 1990--and, for now anyway, it will be the definitive volume which birders will consult.

It is easy to praise this volume but it is also important to note that most of the discussions of possible sites for seeing birds in the state are very skimpy, at best, and that the directions for reaching most of them leave a great deal to be desired. Though there are nineteen pages of GPS-compatible maps in the back of the volume as well as a seasonal abundance chart to the 505 birds which have, at one time or another, appeared within the state's boundaries, in many ways, this book is far more a travel guide than a birding one. Far too often Rakestraw barely discusses the variety of bird life that can be found at the sites that he has highlighted.We can only hope that sometime in the not-too-distant future another far more detailed guide book will come on the market. Until it does, however, Birding Oregon is a "must" for glove compartments and backpacks as bird lovers head out to see the beauty that is Oregon. ... Read more

Product Description
A completely revised and up-dated edition of the acclaimed Audubon Guide. Includes all you need to know about visiting the main Venezuelan locations for observing birds, including how to get to the sites, lodging, list of species in the area and maps. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The essential guide to birding Venezuela
This is the only national bird finding guide for Venezuela and has long been carried by visiting birders along with handful of supplementary trip reports. It is a book you need if you're planning a birding trip to Venezuela. However, be sure to pick up the 5th edition.

The 5th edition is about twice the size of its predecessor and much better presented thanks to Lynx Edicions. The coverage has expanded both in detail and scope. The Amazonas & Bolivar sections now run to 40 pages, for example, and the fabulous Escalera Road receives kilometre by kilometre treatment. Maps are included for the first time and the written site descriptions are much improved. The usual sections on travel in Venezuela, planning an itinerary and finding a guide are still there and somewhat improved too.

This book is pretty much mandatory for planning a birding trip to Venezuela. ... Read more

Product Description
Birdwatching is for everyone. No other outdoor pursuit yields so much enjoyment of nature's ways with so little effort, and BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS is the ideal introduction to the pleasures to be found from birdwatching.

All the essentials for the beginner to enjoy birdwatching are covered:

         ¸         equipment
         ¸         identification techniques
         ¸         field guides
         ¸         optics for birders
         ¸         birding by 'ear'
                and much more.

Making this guide uniquely valuable for the novice are chapters on viewing bird behaviors such as feeding, flight, feather care, nesting, and migration so the birder understands not just what kind of bird it is, but what the bird is doing. Clear black and white illustrations as well as an exquisite four-color photographic insert, bring this exciting world vividly to life. In addition, a selection of appendices cover everything from birding organizations to birding publications.

The most important qualification for birdwatching is a desire to do it--and BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS is just the guide to help make that desire a pleasurable reality.
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Customer Reviews (3)

Great for Complete Beginners!
Of which I definitely am in the birding arena.Shelia Buff claims to be an advanced beginner herself, and therefore knows what it's like to be starting out at square one.Have only read a few pages, but really enjoy the simple language and her approach to the subject, and therefore want to read and learn more about the creatures flying naturally about in the friendly skies.Which says a lot coming from someone who can get easily overwhelmed by all of the details of a new hobby.If you have the slightest interest in birds, get this book, I can tell it's going to lay a good foundation of knowledge for me.

Excellent introduction to birding!
I am a neophyte birder and this book was perfect as a beginning guide in identifying and recognizing common birds in the western region. The other bird guides I have purchased (National Geographic and Audubon) were exceptional, but for a novice, they presented too much information and too many birds. This book struck a nice, comfortable compromise. The photos of each bird are excellent and provide you a good look at the features and characteristics of each. They also tell you succinctly where the habitat would be and where you would most likely see each bird.

The best feature was that each bird was divided by color. So if you see a Wilson's warbler in your backyard but don't know for certain if your call is correct, you can quickly thumb to the "yellow" section of the book and see all the yellow birds. Thus you can quickly confirm your identification.

This book would have limited, or no value to an experienced birder, but for the beginning birder, this is a fine introduction to the hobby of birding.

Not "just for the birds"!
This bird book is for you! I saw it at a friend'shome and knew it was the beginner's book for me. The illustrations are colorful and the information on the many birds is well organized. I found it not to be overwhelming, but easy to use.This is the book to inspire you to start birding--alone or with a friend or child, at your window or outdoors. With this book as a reference you can satisfy your curiosity and develop your skills at identification. ... Read more

Product Description
Uniquely situated smack dab on the migratory path from Greenland and the Candian North to South America, New Brunswick boasts a broad range of habitats, making it an ideal destination for birds and birders alike. From waders on the shore to raptors in the air, from garden-dwelling songbirds to rare migratory species, Birding in New Brunswick has it all. Organized by geographic area, this book provides a thorough catalogue of the species that may be seen at each birding hotspot. For each destination, Roger Burrows provides information on how to get there and a comprehensive list of the birds that may be seen in spring-summer, fall, or winter. Illustrated with more than 200 colourful photographs of different species by Merv J. Cormier, Birding in New Brunswick is a birders' dream. It's sure to find a permanent place on bookshelves and in backpacks. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It's So Close, Yet Different, Somehow
"Birding in New Brunswick" is an EXCELLENT guide!! Living in Maine, we share many of the same birds, yet New Brunswick lies beneath the great migratory flyway, so the "offerings" are multiplied and some cases "exotic".This book will help you through the "different" ones! ... Read more

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Product Description
John Kruse's personal experiences guide the reader through the myriad public lands. He explains the geology, animal and plant life, and history of Washington's most-storied and scenic locales, including the best local lodging and amenities. Out-of-staters and Washington residents alike will find much of interest in this full-color guide. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

FANTASTIC!
For those of you looking for a beautiful, user friendly guide to recreation and accomodations in Washington State, here it is!! Something for everyone from the budget minded on up. Definitely plan on using this book to plan my next vacation! ... Read more

Product Description
Nova Scotia is a birder's paradise -- the trick is knowing where to go to catch sight of the dainty piping plover, stately blue heron, or cheeky blue jay. This problem is solved within the pages of this guidebook, which divides Nova Scotia by county, pinpointing the best birding sites, how to reach them, and on-site orientation. Complete with maps and chockful of useful information, such as special birds to see, species of note, and key details for each site (e.g., amenities, points of interest, and habitats), this guidebook is sure to delight the bird fancier in your life, or be a welcome addition to your own feathered pursuits. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Birding Sites of Nova Scotia
This book contains a wealth of information.It is a little different from the birding guides I have previously used in that it is not a "go here, see this" format.However, the author is very thorough and knowledgeable.Each county is well covered.I just got back from Nova Scotia and it was my "bible". ... Read more

Product Description
This first-of-a-kind guide to birdwatching in the Midwest leads birdwatchers from the heart of urban Chicago in April to the edge of Lake Superior in the dead of winter; from the cemetery where James Thurber is buried to a remote wildlife refuge that owes its existence to the invention of linoleum.In addition to a sparkling narrativv that recounts the author's adventures the book includes the following information for each site: best locations to find bird within each site, best times to visit, highlights of what you can expect to see, a bird checklist, and concise travel directions.Coverage includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and southwest Ontario. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great Reference Book
This is a wonderful reference book for birding areas around the Great Lakes, not just Michigan.Very informative.Great to take on vacation or keep in the car. ... Read more

Product Description
Designed primarily for beginning birdwatchers and those new to Missouri, this guide introduces the reader to birding highlights that occur in our State throughout the year. Emphasis is placed on the varied habitats of Missouri and on the seasonal fluctuation of regional bird populations.

Chapter I provides an overview of the Missouri landscape while Chapter II groups resident and migrant birds within the natural habitats of our State. Chapter III guides the birder through the year, directing him/her to seasonal birding highlights at twenty-five locations across Missouri.

Chapter IV offers a checklist of birds that reside in or visit Missouri in the course of a year; for each species, information regarding its seasonal occurance and preferred habitat is provided. A time and place for finding each bird is suggested. ... Read more

Product Description
Arizona's unique and varied climates, along with more than 480 bird species, make it an ideal spot for the year-round birder.From the legendary Sky Islands of southeastern Arizona to the rugged central mountains to the scenic splendor of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona is truly a birder's mecca. Bill McMillon, naturalist and author of over a dozen books, criss-crossed the state in search of the best birding locales.The result of this ambitious endeavor is Birding Arizona-a guide to 45 of the best viewing sites in all three of Arizona's avifaunal regions. Birding Arizona fulfills the needs of the beginning and experienced birder alike.You'll find out not only where to go, but when to go and how to find birds once you get there.Detailed, up-to-date maps; current information on seasonal occurrences and abundance; and eye-catching photos make this an invaluable resource for anyone who enjoys watching birds in the Grand Canyon State. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Weak guide to great area
Arizona is the dream destination for many a bird watcher, casual or compulsive. As a birder living in Arizona, I've visited most areas of the state in many seaons.

This book, by someone who neither lives in Arizona nor apparently has much birding experience(and may not have consulted any Arizona birders) gets my vote for the worst state birding guide I've ever seen. Many great birding areas are omitted while more than a few of the areas included are of marginal interest, at least to serious birders. Information for each area covered is usually superficial. Some birds in the photos are misidentified. Area photos are dull. How did a book like this ever get published? Falcon has published much better guides to other areas.

There are much better books to buy if you want to go birding in Arizona, most notably the Tucson Audubon and ABA/Lane guides to southeastern Arizona, the Maricopa Audubon and Rupp guides to the Phoenix area and the Northern Arizona Audubon guides to Sedona/Verde Valley and Flagstaff/Grand Canyon. ... Read more

Product Description
Bird Log Kids is a journal that allows youngsters ages five to twelve to record encounters with birds. Also included are pages to paste photos and feathers, as well as some room to do a little artwork. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

For the young bird watcher
I bought this book for my 8 year old grandson and he is thoroughly enjoying using it. Great for any kid starting out with an interest in birds.

Bird log: very kid friendly
Easy to use and understand. Useful questions help develop accurate records. My granddaughter has used this every day since I gave it to her.

Bird Log Kids
As a Mom who enjoys birdwatching, and a Mom who wants her kid to enjoy birdwatching too, this book is a great way to help record a youngsterssightings and observations about birds.This log consists of many pages,that ask great observation questions concerning birds that are sighted.Italso offers fun facts, games and projects.My son and I have a great timefilling out the pages. ... Read more