Birding Northern California [Paperback]

John Kemper (Author)

Book Description

Series: Regional Birding Series | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

Where-to site guide to 81 of the best birding areas in Northern California including 294 individual sites and 102 maps.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Northern California has recorded a total of 559 birds. Only two entire states have recorded more - Texas (606) and all of California (601). This book leads you to 81 prime birding areas, with 294 individual sites and 102 maps. Seasonal bar graphs are provided for regularly occurring species. A chapter on 'specialty birds' has range maps for 173 species, that both beginning and experienced birders will find of special interest.John Kemper has spent over forty years hiking, backpacking, and birding in California. He has been an educator most of his life, is active in the Audubon Society, and leads local birding field trips.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: FalconGuides; 1st edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560448326
• ISBN-13: 978-1560448327
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #317,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most comprehensive guide to birding northern California., May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Birding Northern California (Paperback)

With the passion of a life-long birder and the precision of a former professor of engineering, John Kemper has written an exceptional, new site guide for northern California. Detailed information is given for 81 major locations from the Oregon border through Monterey, King, and Tulare counties plus the Kern River Valley in Kern County; Mono County and the White Mountains are included on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada

The book focuses on species of interest by listing "specialty birds" and "other key birds" at the beginning of each location description. Specialty birds include uncommon to abundant birds found primarily in the western United States, endangered or threatened species, and rare birds if the site is among the best for the bird. The text describes when, where, and how to the find the birds at each site, and this information was personally verified by John during two years of fieldwork preparing the book. Range maps and bar charts at the back of the book are cross-referenced to the best sites for each species and the time of year when each species occurs in different regions of the state. Readers will appreciate the easily readable, detailed maps and the clearly written site descriptions. Novices, long-time California birders, and birders from out of state planning their first or 100th trip to the state, will find the information needed to find the birds of interest to them and to plan successful birding trips.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book to Plan For Bird Trips, February 28, 2006

By 

KM - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birding Northern California (Paperback)

This book was better than what I had expected. I am getting ready to order several more for birding friends. I was not under the impression that is was an identification guide when I first bought the book and it isn't. But, it does tell me what to study before I travel to the very descriptive destinations.

I cannot wait for the weekend to try birding in another area close to home.

Thank-you John Kemper for a thorough guide book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best birding guide I've seen, March 10, 2010

By 

J. Edwards - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birding Northern California (Paperback)

There are several characteristics that makes this birding guide great. One is the maps, including a northern CA map showing all 81 numbered birding sites, more detailed regional maps showing major roads and the numbered sites and maps for each individual locale showing local roads, bodies of water, trails and other landmarks. One chapter is devoted to the speciality birds. The information for each speciality bird includes a northern CA distribution map for both summer and winter and a compilation of key sites. Finally, site information includes NCA&G grids, hazards and nearest food, gas, lodging and camping options.