I’ve decided to make a change to the affiliate links used here on The Birder’s Library. First, a quick explanation in case anyone needs it: affiliate links are special links to online retailers. The referring site gets a small percentage of the transaction total from anything purchased using one of the links. This site has used Amazon affiliate links for as long as I can remember. But I’ll now be transitioning to Buteo Books and NHBS.
So why the switch? It’s definitely not about the money. I’ve never made that much from the Amazon affiliate program – just enough to pay for hosting this site and maybe a couple books. And with this switch, I’m anticipating earning less. No, this is strictly about the type of sites that I want to support. Buteo Books (based in the U.S.) and NHBS (based in the U.K.) specialize in bird and natural history books. Yes, for the most part you can find the same books for less on Amazon or other large retailers. But try asking someone at Amazon a question about a bird book! And if you’re looking for specialized, obscure, or older books you have a much better shot with one of these two stores. Plus, they both support birding and conservation organizations. Basically, I care about birds and bird books and want to support those who feel likewise.
So going forward, I’ll be linking to Buteo and NHBS as much as possible. And as I have time, I’ll go back and update previous posts. I would encourage you to support these two booksellers. And if you choose to do it through the affiliate links here on The Birder’s Library, that would be greatly appreciated.
The American Birding Association has just published their latest birdfinding guide – A Birder’s Guide to Louisiana. If you’re going to be birding Louisiana extensively, having a hard copy is a good idea. But you can also download a free pdf version. The ABA Birdfinding Guides are always great, and you can’t beat free!
by Conor Mark Jameson
The author investigates the plight of the Northern Goshawk in Britain.
Read the full review »
Bird Homes and Habitats
by Bill Thompson III
From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:
Two of the best-known names in birding—Peterson and Bird Watcher’s Digest—team up to provide reliable, expert advice on how to attract the birds you want into your yard.
Which birds use nest boxes? What’s required to maintain a birdhouse? What kind of habitat will attract which birds? What does it take to be a bluebird trail operator? What does it mean if baby birds or eggs disappear from their nest?
Bill Thompson III answers all of these questions and more, helping readers to create yards and gardens where birds will make their homes and raise their young.
It’s easy enough to hang a birdfeeder. But there are plenty of other things that can attract birds to a landscape—and, in fact, birds need four essentials: food, water, shelter, and a place to nest. The more of these elements a yard has, the more attractive it is to birds.
A lavishly illustrated chapter provides ideas and inspiration for creating bird havens by profiling “Birdy Backyard All-Stars,” fifteen homeowners from around the country who have actively worked to create bird-friendly habitats.
As expected, this book includes everything you need to know about bird houses. But it also includes natural bird homes and profiles of cavity nesting birds. Beyond that, you’ll find tips on how to make your yard more attractive to birds.
Bird Homes and Habitats
by Bill Thompson III
Paperback; 217 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; September 10, 2013
ISBN: 9780618904464
$14.95
Several bird apps are on sale right now. But hurry, this is only for a limited time.
Peterson Birds of North America – $0.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS only
Audubon Birds — A Field Guide to North American Birds – $2.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS, Android, Kindle, and Nook. All the other Audubon Single Subjects and Ultimate Nature Guides are also on sale – http://natureshare.com/#apps
BirdLog – North America – $4.99 (regularly $9.99). iOS and Android
BirdsEye North America – $4.99 (regularly $19.99). iOS only
Looking for the Goshawk
by Conor Mark Jameson
From Bloomsbury Publishing:
The book traces Conor Jameson’s travels in search of the Goshawk, a magnificent yet rarely seen (in Britain at least) raptor. Each episode of the narrative arises from personal experience, investigation, and the unearthing of
information from research, exploration and conversations.
The journey takes him from an encounter with a stuffed Goshawk in a glass case, through travels into supposed Goshawk territories in Britain, to Berlin – where he finds the bird at ease in the city. Why, he wants to know, is the bird so rarely seen in Britain? He explores the politics of birdwatching, the sport of falconry and the impact of persecution on the recent history of the bird in Britain and travels the length of Britain, through central Europe and the USA in search of answers to the goshawk mystery. Throughout his journey he is inspired by the writings of T H White who told of his attempts to tame a Goshawk in his much-loved book.
It’s a gripping tale on the trail of a most mysterious and charismatic bird.
Somehow I’ve neglected to mention this book yet. I’m reading it right now and enjoying it. It’s very similar in scope to Tim Gallagher’s Grail Bird
and Imperial Dreams
(except, of course, there’s no chance the goshawk is extinct!).
Looking for the Goshawk
by Conor Mark Jameson
Hardcover; 368 pages
A&C Black (Bloomsbury); June 6, 2013
ISBN: 978-1408164877
$28.95
by Tom Stephenson and Scott Whittle
The new go-to guide for warbler identification.
Read the full review »
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