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One of the great things about bird books is their propensity to inspire kids to take an interest in birds and nature. Nate, of The Drinking Bird Blog, takes a great look at one of the books that influenced him as a child.

I don’t remember the exact titles, but I loved looking through some books that my grandparents and first teacher had. They definitely helped nurture a love for nature in me. Were there any such books that influenced you as a child?

Here are lots of bird book reviews for your perusal…

David Sibley reported on his blog some news regarding his Sibley eGuide app, including a price drop and free “lite” version. Check it out!

Here are some new bird apps for iPhones and Android devices, including what’s probably the two most highly anticipated functions. I haven’t had the chance to use these much (yet!), so I can’t speak to how well they work. I’ll post updates as soon as possible.

• BirdsEye Bird Log
  $9.99
  iPhone; Android
  Website

  Birders have been eager for a way to enter eBird checklists from the field. Finally, here’s a way! Bird Log is an app that will allow you to create and submit checklists directly from a mobile device. It is currently available for Android phones, with an iPhone version available soon. I, for one, am very much looking forward to having this capability.

• idIt
  $2.99
  iPhone
  Website

  This app, for the iPhone and related devices only, claims to be able to ID bird sounds in the field. This highly wanted functionality has been announced before, but as far as I know, this is the first app to claim to deliver. The main catch is that you have to first load it with your own prerecorded sounds (like from bird song CDs). If it works, it will be a great tool for birders.

• Bird Codes
  $0.99
  iPhone
  Website

  This app allows you to quickly look up the bird for any alpha (banders’) codes you come across, or to learn codes by searching on the birds’ name. Very handy if you find yourself using these codes often.

• Lifebirds Journal
  $4.99
  iPhone
  Website

  An app for recording bird sightings. It includes all of the world’s birds, as well as options to export lists, including to eBird.

Birding Trails Texas: Prairies, Pineywoods, and Panhandle
by Jim Foster

From the publisher (Wilderness Adventures Press):

Texas is one of the outstanding birding states, with over 400 species of birds. Texas Birding Trails features 220 birding trails and locations. Jim Foster, a noted birder, describes each trail with a list of key birds, the best time of year to visit the site, directions, terrain and size of the area, and complete directions to each trail. There are over 200 full-color photos of the key species of birds and over 30 trail maps and a birder’s check list.

The Panhandle has 51 birding sites with a number of key birds: Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Sandhill Crane, Scissor-tail Flycatcher, Pyrrhuloxia, Burrowing Owl as well as 20 species of ducks and many more birds.

The Prairies and Pineywoods – West has 90 trails or sites with many key birds such as the Spotted Towhee, Yellow-throated Vireo, Tundra Swan, Bewick’s Wren, Orchard Oriole, the Western Kingbird and many more.

The Prairies and Pineywoods -East has 79 birding trails and an opportunity to see the Pileated Woodpecker, Red-shouldered Hawk, Greater Roadrunner, Red-eyed Vireo, Greater-crested Flycatcher and many more.

Texas Birding Trails is a “must” book for both Texas and non-resident birders who want to see and record the many unusual birds.

This is an attractive and informative guide to some great birding spots.

Birding Hot Spots of Central New Mexico
by Judy Liddell and Barbara Hussey

From the publisher (Texas A&M University Press):

From pine forest to desert scrub, from alpine meadow to riparian wetland, Albuquerque and its surrounding area in New Mexico offer an appealing variety of wildlife habitat. Birders are likely to see more than two hundred species during a typical year of bird-watching. Now, two experienced birders, Judith Liddell and Barbara Hussey, share their intimate knowledge of the best places to find birds in and around this important region.

Covering the Rio Grande corridor, the Sandia and Manzano Mountains, Petroglyph National Monument, and the preserved areas and wetlands south of Albuquerque (including crane and waterfowl haven Bosque del Apache), Birding Hotspots of Central New Mexico offers twenty-nine geographically organized site descriptions, including maps and photographs, trail diagrams, and images of some of the birds and scenery birders will enjoy. Along with a general description of each area, the authors list target birds; explain where and when to look for them; give driving directions; provide information about public transportation, parking, fees, restrooms, food, and lodging; and give tips on availability of water and picnic facilities and on the presence of hazards such as rattlesnakes, bears, and poison ivy.

The book includes a “helpful information” section that discusses weather, altitude, safety, transportation, and other local birding resources. The American Birding Association’s code of birding ethics appears in the back of the book, along with an annotated checklist of 222 bird species seen with some regularity in and around Albuquerque.

For more information, please visit http://birdinghotspotscentralnm.com

A very detailed guide that I can’t wait to use someday!

Birding Trails Texas: Prairies, Pineywoods, and Panhandle
by Jim Foster
Paperback; 392 pages
Wilderness Adventures Press; December 1, 2011
ISBN: 9781932098907
$28.95

Birding Hot Spots of Central New Mexico
by Judy Liddell and Barbara Hussey
Flexicover; 221 pages
Texas A&M University Press; October 12, 2011
ISBN: 9781603444262
$24.95