Customer Reviews

"Dial B for Birder!": The Private Files of a Real-Life Bird Detective

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If you know anyone who is involved in Birdwatching,or if you wondered what it is all about and why they spend so much time involved in it,or even if you thought you might get involved,then many of these questions will be answered for you in this little book.
Birdwatching (which I, and most people who get involved in it ,call Birding) is probably the activity that involves more people than any other sport,hobby,or pastime in North America.Not only that,it involves all types of people and of all ages.Some people take it very lightly and others spend almost all their time pursuing Birding in one way or another.
Personally,I have been an avid Birder for over 20 years,written several reviews on Birding books,Birded many places in North America,have belonged to several Birding organizations and clubs;and in those years have put together a fairly large personal library of "Bird Books",but if I had to recommend a book that would give a person an overview of what Birding is all about and why so many people get involved in it ;I have no hesitation in recommending this book.
It is definitely a book for a novice and in no way is intended to be written for someone who might be considered an "expert".However,anyone who has been a Birder for a few years,will be familiar with everything the author talks about and would agree .It is written on an very general level,and in no way touches the level of many Birders who take it serious,even to the level of travelling around North America ,or even to other countries in search of new birds to add to their "Life List".The "Life List" being one's personal list of all the different species of birds they have seen.
From this book ,the reader will quickly see that Birding usually means meeting many different people,joining clubs,sharing time and experiences,going to many differernt places,locally or afar.The author talks about the day when she "manned the phone" to answer all kinds of questions about birds.Telephones were also used to spread the word around when rare birds were found,so that others could get to see it.However,phoning has been replaced by the "Net".If ,after reading this book,one feels like knowing more ,or even getting involved;the thing to do is ask someone who is a Birder to take you on an excursion or point you to a club.Clubs are in all towns and cities,and they welcome newcomers;even just to attend a meeting or outing.
Good Birding