Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains: A Guide for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and Neighboring Areas [Paperback]

Marcus B. Jr. Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1992

In this detailed guide to the best birding localities, Simpson describes more than three hundred sites, including recreation areas, overlooks, campgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking trails. For each site, he lists the species most likely to be seen as well as rare birds that the persistent birder might find; he includes notes on the plant life and geography of each site and provides information on highway access and accommodations as well as accessibility for the handicapped.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A book no Blue Ridge birder should be without.

Transylvania Times

A landmark work, the result of nearly thirty-five years of birding experience in the Southern Appalachians by the author.

Bird Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press; annotated edition edition (May 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807843636
• ISBN-13: 978-0807843635
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,772,873 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Birds and where to find them in the Blue Ridge, November 29, 2000

By 

Michael Foret - See all my reviews

This review is from: Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains: A Guide for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and Neighboring Areas (Paperback)

This book is an all-around treasure, for the beginning birder or the experienced ornitholigist, living in or near the Blue Ridge, planning to visit the Appalachian region, or even simply interested in this world-class region. The first fifty pages constitute an introduction to the Appalachian province and birding in general. The rest of the book profiles the birds of over 300 locations, where to go to see them, and how to get there. The book contains over two dozen maps, and even information about birding spots with handicapped access; an annotated checklist of birds; and a guide to contacts and resources for particular areas. It also features the drawings of H. Douglas Pratt. Part travel guide, part natural history, part handbook, this book is above all a joy.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not good for quick identification, May 15, 2007

By 

Josi jo (New York) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains: A Guide for the Blue Ridge Parkway, Great Smoky Mountains, Shenandoah National Park, and Neighboring Areas (Hardcover)

I found this book to be for the birds. Extremely wordy and only a handful of black and white prints of birds. The format does not allow for quick and easy access to identifying bird species at a glance. It does not serve my need if I have to search through lengthy text to get information about a species that I can't identify until I see a color photo.
I'm sure the author spend much time in gathering information for this book such as which birds are found in what areas... however, unless you are an experienced bird watcher or ornithologist, this book may be difficult to follow without prior bird knowledge.