Bird watching
A guide to the birds of East Africa
Nicholas Drayson.
Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co., 2008.
"Reserved, honourable Mr Malik. You wouldn't notice him in a Nairobi street - except, perhaps, to comment on his carefully sculpted comb-over - but beneath his unprepossessing exterior lie a warm heart and a secret passion. Not even his friends at the Asadi Club know it, but Mr Malik is head-over-heels in love with the leader of the Tuesday-morning bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society, Rose Mbikwa." "While Mr Malik hesitantly plans how he will ask Rose to the annual Hunt Ball, flashy Harry Kahn arrives in town and makes it clear that he too has Rose in his sights. When Mr Malik blurts out his feelings at the club a wager is set - whoever sees the most birds in a week will ask Rose to the ball." "With boats, planes and guides to get him to the choicest birdwatching spots in Kenya, Harry Kahn's soon noting down everything from pearl-breasted swallows to spur-winged plovers. But Mr Malik's not so easily beaten, and with unorthodox methods and far-flung adventures of his own, he's determined to stay in the game."--BOOK JACKET.
Beginner's guide to bird watching
by Alicia King ; foreword by Perk Perkins ; preface by Scott Weidensaul ; photography by Bruce Curtis and F-Stop Fitzgerald.
Minneapolis, MN : Creative Pub. International, c2008.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 217-218) and index.
- At head of title: Orvis.
National Geographic birding essentials : all the tools, techniques, and tips you need to begin and become a better birder
Jonathan Alderfer and Jon L. Dunn.
Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, c2007.
Whether you are among the growing millions of people just discovering the joys of birding or a more seasoned birder looking to sharpen your skills, who better to trust for accurate, up-to-date information than the publisher of the critically acclaimed National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, named by a major birding magazine "one of the top 20 birding products of all time." National Geographic Birding Essentials is comprehensive and authoritative, yet supremely user-friendly, striking the perfect balance of essential, practical information and easy-to-follow style. With this portable reference in hand, you'll quickly learn to fine-tune your observation skills and make sense of what you see-exactly the tools needed for a lifetime of birding satisfaction.
Birdwatching
Rob Hume and Dominic Couzens.
New York, NY : Collins, 2006.
"Collins Discover: Birdwatching" is your one-step guide to observing and identifying the birds in your garden and in the wild This highly illustrated, practical reference provides you with all the information you need to discover birds, including details on size, distinguishing features, seasonal changes, and habitat. Inside you will find: Choosing the right equipment Basic techniques for getting started Essentials on identifying birds Glossary of terms
All things reconsidered : my birding adventures
Roger Tory Peterson ; edited by Bill Thompson III.
Boston : Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006.
Ten years after Roger Tory Peterson"s death, his unique perspective on birding comes to life in these highly personal narratives. Here he relates his adventures during a lifetime of birding and traveling the world to observe and record nature.
Birding Babylon : a soldier's journal from Iraq
Jonathan Trouern-Trend.
San Francisco, Calif. : Sierra Club Books, c2006.
Early in 2004, Sergeant Jonathan Trouern-Trend of the Connecticut National Guard began a year's deployment in Iraq. During his free time on base and on trips "outside the wire," he watched birds and wrote about them in an online journal that attracted thousands of readers. Gathering highlights of his blog, this small book cuts through the politics of war like birdsong, reminding us of our imperishable connection with nature; of how birds and their journeys tie the world together; of the persistence of life even in a wasted land. Book jacket.
Missouri is a great place for bird watching. Missouri's Department of Conservation reports more than 400 bird species have been recorded in Missouri. That includes 150+ species that regularly nest in Missouri, plus other species that migrate between nesting grounds to the north and wintering grounds to the south and birds that wander from the east and west.
Bird watchers can go out looking for birds or stay home watching the birds that come to their backyards.
Parks, forests, and farmlands all provide the opportunity to view new bird species or to become reacquainted with old favorites. Grab a pair of binoculars, a compass for directions, and a good field guide to help identify bird species. Take along your checklist of birds you have seen and ones you hope to find. A birding trip can be fun, relaxing, and full adventure. Just remember:
- Don't trespass
- Observe, do not disburb, the birds
- Keep the area clean; don't litter
- Dress for the weather
Bird watching can be done without leaving home. A few ways to attract birds to your backyard throughout the year:
- Buy a bird feeder or make one
- Fill it with bird food and water
- Keep the feeder clean
- Put up a bird house or bird bath
- Plant trees or bushes that birds like
- Keep a journal or draw the birds you see
Few creatures are as interesting or beautiful as birds. Their ability to soar amazes us, while their songs remind us of the beauty of nature. Birdwatching provides fun, rewarding experiences for the entire family.
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.
