Customer Reviews

Birder's Mexico (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment Series)

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This classic is a "must" for any birder studying for a Mexico trip. Species, tips on finding them, and areas of interest are wonderfully described. Details on plants and trees are a big plus as these are hard to come by elsewhere. After looking in vain for Wauer's book, I'm delighted it's back in print. A good companion to Howell's Finding Birds in Mexico.

This is a pleasant, well-written book, that transported me throughout some of Mexico's natural regions from my armchair. Those with experience searching for birds in Mexico will find that this book awakens charming memories. Others may long wistfully to explore the beautiful and unusual habitats found south of the border. I particularly liked chapter 12 - "Place of the Tufted Jay", which included a photo of the Hotel Villa Blanca, where I have also stayed while pursuing the local endemic, the Tufted Jay. The author watched Swifts from the roof of the hotel.

I would assume that if you are interested in this book it is because of a future or past birding or natural history tour of Mexico. This book is a great trip and will tantilize you with the biological treasures of places that you dream about or rekindle the memories of places you have visited. If you are familiar with birding trip reports such as found in Blake Maybank's site, this is similar but with a more literary touch. These are stories of great places told by a very well informed naturalist.

This is not a site guide like Howell's or Wheatly & Brewer's books. There are no detailed directions or maps here and some places, even the very well birded San Blas area, are not included in the book. It is still a pleasure to read and will give you some practice on what to expect in the deserts, thorn scrub, cloud forests, and tropical lowlands of Mexico. There are good references to other natural history studies of the country and excellent sections on practical travel information. A very worthwhile read.

Also for readers that enjoy this book Roland Wauer has also written an excellent guide in "A Birder's West Indies" for all the islands of the Caribbean Sea.

I'm afraid I made a mistake. When I buy "birding" books I assume they will include pictures - photographs even! - of, guess what? Birds! Wrong assumption in this case. I was pretty disappointed but I guess the book does not claim to be a field guide. I haven't read a word. I'm sure I'll get around it.