No comments about A Stillness in the Pines: The Ecology of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (The Commonwealth Fund Book Program).

1 comments about John James Audubon: American Birds.

1. "Audubon: American Birds" is a not only a wonderful introduction to Audubon's works but a portrait of the birds as seen through the eyes of a great American naturalist. The volume also serves as a good reference source though tempered with an romantic view giving the astute reader an additional insight into the times in which Audubon worked. I would definately recomment this book to both the birder and art lover.

3 comments about America's Favorite Backyard Birds.

1. For those who are NOT avid bird watchers but fascinated and curious about the feathered residents in one's backyard, this book is enjoyable and easy reading. It has identified every bird commonly found in the backyard, explains theirs habits and reasons for behavior. I didn't want to put this book down. It really gave me insight to my feathered friends in our backyard. What fun to understand what they do and why!!!! I had no idea that one of my frequent birdhouse occupants builds "mock" nests all around the backyard not only to stake his area but to let the female choose the one she prefers. Highly recommend this book for those who enjoy sitting in their backyards, do gardening, listen to the birds sing, and watch them as they dart around and nest in the Spring!!!



2. I planned to send this book to a friend in Australia, as we were exchanging books on the most favorite birds of our area. There were only about 12 species listed and only 12 color photographs. Granted there was a lot of information about their habitat, but there were many birds that I would deem more favorite than those listed. What about the red polls and juncos? And they photographed a female blue jay, rather than the more brilliant male. I'd take a pass on this book.



3. I've had this book for years, and enjoy it immensely. I love all the details given about some of the most common backyard birds. The pictures are great, although they are not in color. But this book shines in the written word. I highly recommend it. Especially for the beginning birder!
   ( I give it 4 stars because the pictures are not it color)

2 comments about Feed the Birds.

1. Feed the Birds is a delightful little book that contains all kinds of recipes for bird feeding and directions for making feeders of different types. It also dispels some of the common myths about bird feeding. A wonderful buy for anyone that loves feeding the birds.



2. This is a great book for creating a habitat that will attract birds. The recipes for tasty bird treats work great at attracting birds and her suggestions for habitat keep them around year after year.

5 comments about Birds at Your Feeder: A Guide to Feeding Habits, Behavior, Distribution and Abundance.

1. Here's the complete review from `Library Journal' (15 Sept. 1999), by Henry T. Armistead, Free Library of Philadelphia: "This superb book is distinguished from the dozens of others on attracting birds by its analysis of data from thousands of people who feed birds across North America and participate in Project FeederWatch, a survey begun in 1986 by Dunn and managed by Cornell University and other institutions. For the 93 most widespread feeder species, the authors present several pages of excellent commentary plus two range maps and four bar graphs. For each bird, there is textual and graphic information on its abundance (both geographical and through the yearly calendar), food preferences, behavior, habits, a drawing of the bird, and more. There is also some detail on birds and mammals found less frequently at feeders plus discussions of misconceptions about the perceived risks of feeders: concerns about dependency, disease, predation, and window collisions. A wealth of information is easily accessible here thanks to this massive cooperative program--a prime example of `citizen science'."



2. I found this book to be very helpful, and I refer to it frequently when I see a new species at my feeder. I like the way it lists the seed preferences for each bird. It is a very interesting book and has been very helpful to me in attacting backyard birds!



3. In addition to very interesting and often unique summary information on different species of birds attracted to feeders, the book includes birdfood ratings and maps that are ideal for people who are trying to determine whether the foods, water, etc. that they offer for birds were found to be as attractive by other birdfeeders, and whether particular birds were attracted to feeders in their local rural, suburban, or urban area, or adjoining state. By examining various graphs, they can also tell: how many of each species typically come at one time; how frequently they may come between different periods watched by other birdfeeders; and whether there is any monthly variation in visits between November and April, when most people are feeding birds.



4. The title doesn't do justice to this book's breadth and depth. "Birds at Your Feeder" consists of ornithologically informed and delightfully written accounts of the feeding habits, behavior, distribution, and abundance of 93 North American species that often visit bird feeders. I bought the book knowing nothing more about it than Dr. Dunn's international prominence as an ornithologist at the Canadian Wildlife Service and a prime developer of Project FeederWatch -- and I wasn't disappointed. She and her co-author based the book solidly on an analysis of the data submitted by thousands of observers since 1987 in the immense network of FeederWatch volunteers across the U.S. and Canada. It seems to me that this important publication has not received the wide attention it deserves. A broad range of readers from professionals in ornithology to people with little more than a casual interest in backyard birds should find it both entertaining and worthwhile.



5. I use the book along with my Peterson Field Guide and am able to distinguish birds from each other by what the birds tend to eat, according to Birds At Your Feeder.
   
   Some birds, from far away, even with your binoculars, may be so similar in appearance (size and color), and their visits to your feeders so short, that you can't get a good enough look a them. However, what they eat will help you to identify the birds. For instance, that small gray bird might be a titmouse, a thrush or a vireo. But what did they choose to eat from your feeders? Was it mixed seed, sunflower or suet? I flip through the Peterson Guide to select which birds might meet the size and appearance, and then refer to BAYF for what those birds most commonly eat, using process of elimination to identify the bird.

No comments about Louisiana Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide.

4 comments about How to Spot an Owl (The How to Spot Series).

1. I originally got this book when I found a trio of young screech owls in my favorite river area. It gives a lot of information that is USEFUL to people who really want to see owls. Kinds of owls, signs of owls to look for, crisp b/w photos, and some common sense ettiquette. Good book!



2. If I had only one book to buy about owls, this one is it. It is a howling success!



3. Owls are unique and fascinating, but, unfortunately, also quite elusive, which makes their observation quite frustrating for the beginning birder. This guide was written--reluctantly--to lessen some of that frustration. Reluctantly, because, while the authors wish to indroduce the owl to new generations of birders, at the same time they are very concerned about adverse influence that birders can have on owls. The book consists of two parts: an introduction to birding for owls, and the owls of North America. In the latter, each species that is found in North America is discussed to some degree. While the Whiskered Screech Owl, which only occurs near the Mexican-American border in southern Arizon, only has two paragraphs devoted to it, other species are covered by a number of pages. Information is largely anecdotal and easy to read. At least one photograph of most species is included, the quality of which is usually excellent.



4. When I first picked up this book after hearing excellent reviews I was a little disappointed. It seemed skimpy, only 140 pages with larger print and generous spacing on the pages. After reading it and using some of the techniques and guidelines for owling described in the pages I changed my mind. This book is filled with gems on how to find owls, the behavior and biology of the Owls of North America and excellent photographs of all the species. I even used one of the photos to help a taxadermist model a window killed Boreal Owl from our area.
   
   The authors Pat and Clay Sutton have decades of experience with their passion of finding owls and have lectured across the country on their experiences. They've packed the book with information on finding owl roosts, finding evidence of owls in the field, the strategies and ethics of luring in owls with calls and tapes, identifying probable owl habitats, and listing some of the best places in the country for finding resident and migrant owls such as Whitefish Point, Michigan and Braddock Bay, New York for Saw-whet Owls.
   
   Although this book is not an in depth treatment of the biology of Owls it is a great reference for most birders hoping to find and learn more about owls anywhere in the US and Canada.

4 comments about Wildstream: A Natural History of the Free Flowing River.

1. This book will delight both the angler and scientist. He talks about the ecology of streams, the setting, types of fish and the challenges facing rivers today. He also, in a series of Sketches, explores river lore. This book fosters an understanding and appreciation for rivers and is useful for high school biology students to postgraduates. An excellent book for those who love rivers.



2. I reviewed this book before and the rating is wrong. It should be 5 Stars.



3. "Wildstream", an up to date, thorough volume of the natural history of streams and rivers, is colorfully and articulately written by Dr. Thomas F. Waters, professor emeritus of the University of Minnesota.

   Clearly a lifetime of work exhibits here his passion for understanding the history of the free flowing river and his passion for preserving natural resources. He has gone beyond his calling as a scientist, biologist, naturalist, writer, teacher ... and has proven his expertise by now sharing this wealth of knowledge with others.

   This book is for all who appreciate the beauty of the river and desire to quench their thirst for understanding those "lovely living silver strands we call rivers"




4. This is a great book. If you go to the Riparian Press at the Rivers Council of Minnesota you can get it for only $22 and you can support the cause for which it was written. There are other good resources there too.

No comments about The Human Side Of Birds.

2 comments about FINDING BIRDS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL AREA 2nd Edition.

1. Claudia Wild's book is an indispensable guide to all of the best birding sites within a 200 mile radius of Washington, DC. It is a "must buy" for birders of all skill levels if you visit or live in DC, Maryland, or Virginia. She also covers Delaware, Cape May, NJ, and parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Her directions are easy to follow and her writing style will make you want to read about favorite birding areas again and again. Most important, this book will make it easy to find target birding species (in the appropriate season). This book is a solid 5 stars !!!



2. Claudia Wilds has done a wonderful job of presenting lots places, including little nooks and crannies to find birds in the greater D.C. area. Directions to locations are detailed and generally accurate, with lots of helpful information.

   Well written, and easy to understand. A wonderful guide for exploring the world of birds.