Birding Florida: Over 200 Prime Birding Sites at 54 Locations (Birding Series) [Paperback]

Brian Rapoza (Author)

Book Description

Series: Birding Series | Publication Date: August 1, 2007

In its 120 chapters, Birding Florida describes over 300 birding sites from Pensacola to the Dry Tortugas.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With 500 species on its state list, Florida boasts more birds seen than any other state east of the Mississippi. Birding Florida describes over 200 of the best sites, including such hotspots as Ding Darling, Merritt Island, and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuges; Everglades National Park; and Fort De Soto; as well as birding locations near the state’s popular theme parks. Also included are sections on Florida’s diverse habitats and how to plan your trip. For visitors and residents alike, this guide is an invaluable resource for a rewarding bird-watching experience in the Sunshine State.

 

For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuides® have set the standard for

outdoor guidebooks. Written by top experts, each guide invites you to experience the adventure and beauty of the outdoors.

 

Inside you'll find:

• Accurate bird-finding information for the entire state—from the Panhandle        

   through Central Florida to the Everglades and the Keys

 

• Where to locate exotic Caribbean visitors, more than twenty-five species of

   parrots, a variety of wading birds and shorebirds, and specialties such as Snail

   Kite, White-crowned Pigeon, and Short-tailed Hawk

 

• A description of each site, with information about key species

 

• Where and when to go, how to get there, and what you'll see

 

• Details on the seasonal distributions of Florida bird specialties—where they

   occur, their relative abundance, and the best times to see them

About the Author

Brian Rapoza is Field Trip Coordinator for Tropical Audubon Society in Miami and has led birding field trips throughout Florida. His Birding Recaps for the South Florida area are published regularly on the Tropical Audubon website and in its newsletter. He is compiler for the Miami and Coot Bay/Everglades National Park Christmas Bird Counts and for North American Migration Counts for Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. He has traveled extensively throughout the state, tallying over 400 bird species. As a science teacher for Miami-Dade County Public Schools since 1988, he has led thousands of school children on bird watching expeditions through Everglades National Park and other Miami-area birding destinations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: FalconGuides; 1st edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762739142
• ISBN-13: 978-0762739141
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,045 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Zoology > Ornithology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthwhile Book for Birding in Florida, November 25, 2007

By 

David True "Chartman" (Rochester, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birding Florida: Over 200 Prime Birding Sites at 54 Locations (Birding Series) (Paperback)

Of the more than 700 species of bird known to annually spend some time on the North American continent, over 500 of these species are or may be found be found in Florida. If you want to observe these birds, Birding Florida, coupled with the Great Florida Birding Trail Guides, is all the birder needs to find and observe the many species of birds available there

The 500 species found in Florida are broken down into 343 species that regularly occur and 154 vagrant species. Using the standard definitions for status: residents - species that are present year round and/or nest and breed in the state, visitors - species that are present in the state all or part of the year but do not breed or nest in the state, and migrants - species that pass through the state in the spring or fall while going to other areas to breed or nest, the author describes 58 areas within the state where birders may observe birds of interest. Florida has 151 resident species which the author has divided the into 37 year round resident species and 25 summer visitors found in the state only in the spring and summer that are especially sought out by birders with another 52 species that may be found in areas other than Florida but still of interest.

The book contains nine maps of which eight are regional maps showing the location of each of the birding areas. While the book does not contain an individual map for any location, explicit directions for driving to each area are given, and each area is referenced using plate numbers and grid locations to the Delorme© Florida Atlas and Gazetteer so I didn't object to the lack of maps. The final chapter book presents a list of the 343 regularly occurring species that includes a state range map, and a brief description of the 154 vagrant species noted. All species have been verified by the Records Committee of the Florida Ornithological Society.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, September 14, 2007

By 

Richard "Traveler" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birding Florida: Over 200 Prime Birding Sites at 54 Locations (Birding Series) (Paperback)

The book has many birding sites throughout the state of Florida. My complaint is that the book does not contain maps of the sites. There are large maps with no detail. The birding sites are shown as a number on the map with no detail on how to get there. For that you must read through a paragraph of directions to multiple locations. It is almost impossible to use on the road. In order to use the book, you will need to research the sites on the internet and print a map. For reference, look at "Birding Georgia" by Giff Beaton (same publisher). This book has very good maps. Hopefully this book will add the maps in later editions.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every birder birding Florida needs this book!!!, August 29, 2007

By 

A. W. Mitchell III (Miami, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Birding Florida: Over 200 Prime Birding Sites at 54 Locations (Birding Series) (Paperback)

Brian did a great job researching the Birding Locations for this book. The book is divided into areas of the state and their most popular and successful birding location. Brian gives clear directions to hot spots and provides lists of species and the best time of year to see them at each location. I put the book to the test when I took a trip to the Belle Glade Area of Florida. All of his information was useful and accurate. Brian is one of Florida's top birders and has personally visited each of the locations multiple times.

Buy the book, you won't be sorry.