Raising children, nursing them when ill, and teaching them to respect nature falls right into a parallel category of nursing injured animals that are brought home for a parent to help them recover. Sewing skills, honesty, and creative problem-solving are also a plus when tackling unchartered waters. It also helps to have a tender heart

Kansas and western Missouri are astonishingly rich in birdlife. Located in the very center of the North American continent, the area is home to most of the eastern bird fauna and many of the western species, and even hosts occasional visitors from the far north. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded in Kansas alone, an abundance that places it among the top five birding states in the country.

"A Guide to Bird Finding in Kansas and Western Missouri" is a guide to this rich mosaic of birdlife. Written for both resident and visiting birders, the book begins with an introduction to the region's avian diversity and to its eleven major biotic communities. Illustrated with 17 line drawings by renowned artist and ornithologist Robert Mengel, A Guide to Bird Finding also features 26 detailed maps, a checklist of birds of the region, and an annotated list of "Specialty Species." The book's main focus, though is on birding tours--75 of them. Meticulously described and thoroughly "road-tested," these tours lead down paved highways, dirt roads, and paths, past old cemeteries, around lakes, along creeks, into cities, and out onto the prairie, winding through the birding hotspots of Kansas and western Missouri.

With this new guide in hand, birders can tailor their expeditions to focus on the big picture, taking advantage of all the birding possibilities a particular location has to offer, or the small picture, searching out one or two especially challenging species. Zimmerman and Patti have provided information on road conditions and tour routes, and have also zeroed in on a few birding surprises--like Bobolinks next to saline marshes in central Kansas.

Among the many birding possibilities the book suggests are: a trip to the tallgrass prairie of the Flint Hills where Greater Prairie-chickens and Henslow's Sparrows can be seen; a tour of the Cimarron National Grassland, the best place in the U.S, to see Lesser Prairie-chickens; a tour of Missouri's Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge, the spectacular staging area for over 500,000 geese and other waterfowl; and a trip to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms, internationally significant wetlands that are an essential migration stopover for hundreds of species, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds, and even Whooping Cranes.

The understanding of nature was Ralph Simpson's consuming passion, which he pursued with unmatched vigor and high spirits. In Grass Flats, 1890--1923, Simpson meticulously documents 218 species accounts of bird life in Warren County, Pennsylvania, including notes on other species observed at Presque Isle on Lake Erie. Simpson speaks of habitat preferences and population shifts, while at the same time offering a view of the natural world with a bit of whimsy, as in the following 1909 observations of the Screech Owl. I knew of an old Flicker's hole nearby, and on going past I saw feathers about the edges, so I investigated and found a Gray Screecher at home. She made no resistance, so I reached in and counted five eggs under her, petted her, and left her. Join this noted naturalist, as he seeks adventure birding in the virgin timber of Wild Cat Run, navigating a steep precipice in the wilds of Goshawk Basin, or climbing 70 feet up a giant Eastern Hemlock to peer into a Sharp-shinned Hawk's nest. From his exploits, Simpson learned early on that, with nature, every moment instructs. Simpson, with feet on terra firma, beckons you to his stomping ground--Grass Flats.

North Carolina has one of the richest arrays of birdlife in North America-460 species, including two of the rarest species in the Southeast: the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Wood Stork.
Birding North Carolina guides you to forty-four of the best birding locations across the state. Organized by region, this useful and comprehensive guide includes everything you need for a rewarding bird-watching experience.
Look inside to find:
Accurate bird-finding information for the entire state-from the Mountains to the Piedmont to the Coastal Plain
Where to find migrating raptors, a huge assortment of shorebirds and nesting waterbirds, plus many Southern specialties such as Swainson's Warbler, the
reclusive Black Rail, and the fire-dependent Bachman's Sparrow
Descriptions of each site, with information about key species
Where and when to go, how to get there, and what you'll see
Details on the seasonal distributions of 122 North Carolina bird specialties-
where they occur, their abundances there, and the best times to see them

Originally published in 1851. First editions are now extremely rare and very expensive. One of the first books to deal in comprehensive detail with the management, history, natural history and types of domestic and wild pigeons. The illustrated contents include chapters on: Earliest History - Domestication - Legends and Superstitions - Breeding and Management - Classifications - Breeds - Carriage, Flight and Colouring - Natural History - etc. This fascinating book will appeal greatly to all pigeon enthusiasts and contains much advice and information which is still of practical use today.

As the first stop in the continental U.S. for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, Washington offers a wide range of birding opportunities and species, from the typical fall migrations of ducks and geese to the convergence of millions of shore birds in Grays Harbor each spring.

Whether you are listening to a flock of geese communicate as they fly overhead or watching a group of feeding waders on an estuary, wetland birds are among the UK's most gregarious and charming waterbirds. But do you know a Coot from a Moorhen? And can you tell the difference between a Wigeon and a Pochard? The UK's wildlife-rich freshwater habitats are home to a diverse collection of our most beautiful wild bird species. RSPB ID Spotlight Wetland Birds is a reliable fold-out chart that presents illustrations of 51 of our most widespread and familiar wetland birds by renowned artist Stephen Message. - Species are grouped by family and helpfully labelled to assist with identification - Artworks are shown side by side for quick comparison and easy reference at home or in the field - The reverse of the chart provides information on the habitats, behaviour, life cycles and diets of our wetland birds, as well as the conservation issues they are facing and how the RSPB is working to support them - Practical tips on the most suitable foods to feed ducks and other waterbirds are also included The ID Spotlight charts help wildlife enthusiasts identify and learn more about our most common species using accurate colour illustrations and informative, accessible text.

This is the first comprehensive field guide dealing exclusively with the birds of this spectacular region. It covers all resident, migrant and vagrant species found in Macaronesia which comprises the Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores and Cape Verde. Over 450 species are illustrated with full details of all the plumages and major races likely to be encountered. Concise text describes identification, status, range, habits and voice. This authoritative book will not only be an indispensable guide to the visiting birder, but also a vital tool for those engaged in work to conserve and study the avifauna of this region. The Atlantic Islands shelter a remarkable diversity of birds, many seriously endangered with small and vulnerable ranges.

Conservation classic Hawks Aloft chronicles the founding of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the world's first refuge for birds of prey. This personal account by the Sanctuary, the world's first refuge for birds of prey. This personal account by the sanctuary's first curator, shares the difficulties and discoveries he and his wife encountered during their first years on the Mountain. Filled with information for the flora, fauna, people, and other natural phenomena of the Hawk Mountain region, this is a lively and sometimes funny account of the sanctuary's early years. Published in co-operation with the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association.

Brazil has one of the richest bird diversities in the world, with a total of 1,901 species, 270 of which are endemic. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by visitors and residents alike.

This volume contains listings of the resident, migrant, and rare birds found in every region of Texas in every season. There are pen-and-ink illustrations, location maps, explicit driving directions, detailed site descriptions, and bird checklists.

This field guide takes you to the desert and grassland areas of Arizona, California, and New Mexico where the total number of bird species reaches a staggering 440. Included are 21 desert birding hot spots, in-depth descriptions and behavioral information, 8 bird charts, and much more.

The birds of Maine are as fascinating as the landscapes they inhabit. This clear, concise guide provides maps to the best birding spots, as well as information on where and when certain species are likely to be seen.

The Bowerbird is the irresistible tale of Bert - a small bird with a very big heart, from Number One bestselling Julia Donaldson and Kate Greenaway Medal-winning Catherine Rayner. Bert the bowerbird is looking for love. He has made the most perfect bower, complete with a pretty purple flower, and is hoping it will help him to meet the bird of his dreams. But when Nanette comes along, she is far from impressed. Poor Bert is hurt, and flies off to bring her presents a-plenty. But will it ever be enough, and is Nanette really right for Bert? A beautifully illustrated treat of a book from the creators of The Go-Away Bird.

This book takes the reader to almost 200 parks, refuges, and hot spots for migratory and resident birds throughout Pennsylvania. Details on 7 geographical regions including 34 maps make this the most comprehensive, statewide guide available to Pennsylvania birding sites.

Cape Peninsula Birdlife breaks new ground: it provides residents of, and visitors to, the Cape Peninsula with information where particular birds may be found, and why and how they occur where they do. Superbly illustrated with photographs by some of South Africa’s premier photographers, readers will gain an appreciation of the extraordinarily rich natural history of the Cape Peninsula. More than 80 bird species; over 200 colour photographs; 18 bird routes; night birds; easy cross referencing; fits in pocket/rucksack.