 |
|
|
|
|
BIRDCHAT for Wednesday, April 2, 2008
[ Prev Day
| Next Day
| Calendar Month
| BIRDCHAT Info
]
|
|
To use email addresses replace '(AT)' with '@'.
This is done to confuse the spam 'bots.
|
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: North America Field Guides---How do they
rate?
From: "Bird Uganda Safaris" <director(AT)birduganda.com>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 2:19am
Dear All,
Whenever Iam in the United States Birding, I find Sibley very
illustrative but Kaufman is handy. I was lucky to meet Sibley when he
signed in my book.
Greetings from Uganda.
Herbert
On 4/1/08, Peter Burke <peterburke(AT)gmail.com> wrote:
> Jim,
> If I had to have only one, it would be Sibley. There are minor problems of
> course, some colors a bit off, some range maps perhaps too broadly
> interpreted, but the information you want is simply right there. The key may
> be that the book was written as a "best of" all the existing field guides
> and borrows & combines all the best features. And it may seem obvious, but
> the book is written purely for field ID. Guides that have plates +
> descriptions in different sections are good for reference only in my
> opinion.
>
> That said, I find myself using the National Geographic 5th most often these
> days. The sheer volume of species combined with what seems to me better
> range maps is what I like. Once you know the birds in an area, Nat. Geo is a
> good resource for most if not all of the possible vagrants one might
> encounter - especially if you bird in places like Alaska or South Texas.
>
> What I would appreciate is more information on bird behavior. This is not
> practical in a field guide, but an online companion site to the guide would
> be a good idea...is Biripedia taken?
>
> I'll be interested to read other people's remarks.
>
> Peter
> Peapack, NJ
>
>
> On 3/31/08, Jim Turner <havivoca(AT)yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > Which is your favorite field guide, and why? I'd like t see some opinions
> > on the well-known field guides to North American birds. If you feel
> > ambitious, list the plusses and nimuses of each one, Most of you have
> also
> > used field guides from other continents, either in the armchair or in the
> > field How do NA field guides compare with those of other regions?
> >
> > =================
> > Jim Turner
> > Victoria, Texas
> > havivoca(AT)yahoo.com
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------
> > Like movies? Here's a limited-time offer: Blockbuster Total Access for one
> > month at no cost.
> >
> > BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
> > Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
> >
>
> BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
> Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
>
--
Executive Director
Bird Uganda Safaris Ltd
Telephone +256 312289048
Fax +256 (0)414383031
Cellphone +256(0)772518290/ 777912938
Email. director(AT)birduganda.com
web www.birduganda.com
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RTP is best for beginners
From: "Allison Wells" <awells(AT)nrcm.org>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 5:49am
For the beginner, nothing compares to the old RTP guides. The "confusing
fall warblers" and other lumping of like-species is perfect for
beginners. When my husband Jeff and I lead bird trips, we always
recommend that one and bring several along with us for use by the group.
Beyond that, it's the National Geo for us.
Allison Wells
Senior Director, Public Affairs
Natural Resources Council of Maine
3 Wade Street
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 622-3101 Ext. 280
www.nrcm.org
Protect the nature of Maine - become a member today!
Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 14:23:47 -0400
From: "David M. Gascoigne" <bateleur27(AT)HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: North America Field Guides---How do they rate?
Poor old RTP must be spinning in his grave. No one has given so much as
a c= asual nod to a Peterson Field Guide. There was a time not so many
years ago= when this reaction would have been pretty nigh unthinkable!
David M. Gascoigne
Waterloo, ON
____________
Allison Wells
Public Affairs Director
Natural Resources Council of Maine
3 Wade Street
Augusta, ME 04330
(207) 622-3101 Ext. 280
www.nrcm.org
Protect the nature of Maine - become a member today!
Help protect the nature of Maine. Become a member today!
http://www.nrcm.org/giveagift.asp
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Rusty Black Survey site on eBird
From: "Ed Boyd" <edboyd1959(AT)comcast.net>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 6:14am
Mike
Here is the site that I believe that you seek:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/RUBL_Survey.html
Ed Boyd
Westminster, MD
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Greater vs Lesser Scaup id
From: Allan & Cathy Murrant <kittiwake(AT)seascape.ns.ca>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 6:15am
We have posted to our website a photo of a Greater and Lesser Scaup
together. The Sibley Guide to Birds (the big one) illustrates the
differences on page 93.
http://www.capebretonbirds.ca/rarebird.html
--
Allan and Cathy Murrant
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia,
Canada
www.capebretonbirds.ca
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: North America Field Guides---How do they rate?
From: "William H. Barnard" <barnard(AT)norwich.edu>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 6:37am
I teach ornithology twice a year and I currently require the Stokes
Field Guide. I still like the Robbins et al. A Guide to Field
Identification, Birds of N. America. I like it because of its size and
N. American focus, given that many of my students are not from the East.
However, it has became outdated and I moved to Stokes.
Personally, I like the Nat. Geo. book and keep it in my truck. Sibley's
book stays on my shelf. For me, a field guide must fit into my pocket.
I am not going to carry a knapsack, fanny pack, or dedicated pouch to
fit the Nat. Geo. or Sibley.
Bill Barnard
Northfield, Vermont
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: North America Field Guides---How do they
rate?
From: Brenda Best <bestbird(AT)verizon.net>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 10:52am
I have to admit I don't carry a field guide into the field. I have
both the big Sibley and the eastern Sibley in my car and can refer to
them when I get back to it. And I wait to look at other field guides
when I get home.
What this forces me to do is observe, observe, observe! I take notes
or draw when I come across something I need to check out in a field
guide.
Brenda
--
Brenda Best
Durhamville, NY 13054
bestbird(AT)verizon.net
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: North America Field Guides---How do they
rate?
From: "pauloboute" <pauloboute(AT)uol.com.br>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 12:02pm
I like best the one from the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
Paulo Boute.
WWW.BOUTE-EXPEDITIONS.COM
Tours Committed to Excellence.
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Hilton Pond 03/22/08
From: Research at Hilton Pond <research(AT)hiltonpond.org>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 12:49pm
When spring arrives at Hilton Pond Center, you can bet the old macro
lens will be working overtime as we try to document the sudden
profusion of blossoms that come with warmer days and shorter nights.
"This Week at Hilton Pond" we take a look at signs of spring among
our flowering plants--some native, some not. We also discuss the
definition of a "weed."
To view our flower-filled photo essay for 22-31 March 2008, please
visit http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080322.html
As always we include a tally of all birds banded and recaptured--plus
miscellaneous nature notes about some rambunctious Carolina Wrens,
late-flying Turkey Vultures, and our first local Ruby-throated
Hummingbird of the season.
Happy (Spring) Nature Watching!
BILL
--
RESEARCH PROGRAM
c/o BILL HILTON JR. Executive Director
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History
1432 DeVinney Road, York, South Carolina 29745 USA
research(AT)hiltonpond.org, (803) 684-5852, eFax: (503) 218-0845
Please visit our web sites (courtesy of Comporium.net):
Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History at http://www.hiltonpond.org
"Operation RubyThroat: The Hummingbird Project" at http://www.rubythroat.org
**********
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Re: Illistrating the experience
From: "Robert Kyse" <RobertKyse(AT)cableone.net>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 3:58pm
Brenda wrote "...observe, observe, observe! I take notes or draw...".
Seems like a romantic notion - exploring some old growth and creating
charming drawings of the experience - bring a bit of it back with you to
remember and share. But I'm not so jaded to think that's not a great idea -
if only I could draw handedly.
And Steve Sosensky wrote "... I have Handheld Birds on my Treo 650 and that
is always with me, so I don't carry a book around with me all day. Also on
my Treo is a set of the undertail illustrations from Garrett & Dunn's
Warblers..." (http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/195/3191/126.html).
Leverage the experience, jack in - the ultimate nature supplement
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality).
OK, that was a corny exaggeration. Actually, I think this set-up points to a
marvelous future when one can bring the whole library with them.
Together these ideas suggest a way to use technology to create your own
personal drawings. The problem with paper drawings is that it may take a
lifetime to develop the artistic skill. And who would want to interrupt the
birding experience to make a detailed drawing even if they had the ability?
But it occurs to me that there may be a portable computer drawing method
that would allow one to make an initial quick sketch which could be
continually improved as subsequent opportunities arose. A set of these
drawings would eventually become your own personal field guide.
So I ask - is this romantic fantasy, science fiction or maybe a real
possibility?
Robert Kyse
Rio Rancho, NM
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brenda Best" <bestbird(AT)VERIZON.NET>
To: <BIRDCHAT(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: [BIRDCHAT] North America Field Guides---How do they rate?
>I have to admit I don't carry a field guide into the field. I have both
>the big Sibley and the eastern Sibley in my car and can refer to them when
>I get back to it. And I wait to look at other field guides when I get
>home.
>
> What this forces me to do is observe, observe, observe! I take notes or
> draw when I come across something I need to check out in a field guide.
>
>
> Brenda
> --
> Brenda Best
> Durhamville, NY 13054
> bestbird(AT)verizon.net
>
> BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
> Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: North America Field Guides---How do they rate?
From: "gljeinwv(AT)juno.com" <gljeinwv@juno.com>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 4:18pm
First of all, I have to echo Steve's comments in regards to taking the NGS guide
if I'm limited to only one guide for NA. As far as generalized NA guides go, I
have Stoke's eastern and western photo guides, Kaufman's photo guide, Audubon's
eastern and western photo guides plus the Audubon Eastern guide by John
Farrand, all three Sibley, American Bird Conservancy (love the waterfowl and
woodpecker illustrations in that one) every NGS edition, the second, third and
fifth eastern editions of Peterson's, plus his third edition Western. I have to
admit, the main reason I purchased the fifth edition Peterson was because I was
mentioned in the acknowledgements section (vain, I know), although I am a field
guide junkie and just like collecting field guides. Like everyone else, I've
got several specialized guides, but since this was supposed to be a discussion
of generalized NA guides, I won't mention them.
When I began birding in 1978 I started off with Peterson's Second and Revised
Eastern Land and Water Birds (the pre, Willow and Alder Flycatcher guide). One
of the best things about that guide, then and now, is the Apendix II Subspecies
list. That guide definitley served it's purpose, but it's now primarily an
heirloom. The Peterson Guide was followed by the Golden's Guide (which
eventually I gave to someone whom I thought was developing an interest in
birding). I was never a big fan of Golden's, but the range maps and songograms
were a definite plus.
When the (I believe) 3rd editon Peterson came out in 1980 my reaction was, WOW!.
The improvement in detail and refinement was monumental and without a doubt,
that was the guide to use in the east. When I saw the first NGS my reaction to
it was the same as when I saw the Curson, Quinn and Beadle Warbler guide, "I
have to have this book" and I've been a loyal NGS follower ever since. Anytime
I venture anywhere away from home, the NGS is at least, one of the guides I have
with me.
I feel it's somewhat difficult to compare Sibley's guides to NGS with regards to
some groups (such as the gulls) since Sibley's approach is what you'll see at a
distance through bins as opposed to NGS close up/more detailed illustrations.
I do though prefer Sibley's warblers as opposed to NGS. So, they both have
their advantages and disadvantages, but overall I still prefer NGS in terms of
detail, range maps, number of species and text. I have to admit though that
there's always a Sibley's eastern guide on the seat in my car during most of the
year. It's compact, it more than suffices for almost anything that shows up in
my part of the world and it'll be cheaper to replace if it's lost, or stolen.
I've done multiple comparisons between Peterson's and Sibley's eastern guides
and other than the range maps in Peterson's, I prefer Sibley's to Peterson's.
There are instances though, such as winter trips to the east coast, that I have
in my possesion, "Birds of Europe" by Svensson, Mullarney, Zetterestrom and
Grant. Personally, I don't think that guide can be beat for the east coast of
NA from late fall through late winter for waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls. But,
as mentioned prior, unless I move to another continent, NGS is still my overall
preference.
Gary Felton
Kingwood, WV
-- Steve Sosensky <Steve(AT)SOSENSKY.COM> wrote:
If I'm limited to one book, I'll take National Geo. Sibley is my next
into the book bag, and then I head for the family books like Garrett
& Dunn's Warblers, Rising and Beadle's Sparrows (both illustrated and
photographic versions), etc. I have Handheld Birds on my Treo 650 and
that is always with me, so I don't carry a book around with me all
day. Also on my Treo is a set of the undertail illustrations from
Garrett & Dunn's Warblers.
While RTP was surely the pioneer in North American bird guides,
Western Birds is terribly out of date, and it has enough flaws to
eliminate it from consideration for use in California, if not
elsewhere. Not least among these flaws is that there are
significantly more birds on the California state list than there are
in the book.
A field guide serves different purposes for different levels of
birders. For beginners, and we were all there once, learning the
common local birds is a daunting task, and there is an argument for
leaving out birds that we are unlikely to see. This serves the dual
purpose of making the task seem smaller, and keeping beginners from
leaping to incorrect identifications of rare species. David Sibley
also takes this approach, though to a lesser degree than Peterson,
but it does the advanced birder the disservice of removing options
for a difficult ID or when the mega rarity is really there and
reference material is not.
My other problem with Western Birds is that some of the illustrations
are very weak by today's standards. We have people like David Sibley
and Jonathan Alderfer (NGS) to thank for that. Incorporating more
current observations in field marks, things like Sibley's wing beats
of Storm-Petrels or NGS's lower mandibles from underneath and primary
projections in the Empidonax flycatchers go a long way towards making
these IDs more accessible to less experienced birders.
One more book that really improved my birding, though not truly a
field guide is the Peterson Series: Advanced Birding by Kenn Kaufman.
This book breaks down some of the most challenging ID problems into
digestible concepts. Kaufman's approach to Empids had to have been
(at least indirectly) the impetus for the improved illustrations in NGS.
At 11:23 AM 2008-04-01, David M. Gascoigne wrote:
>Poor old RTP must be spinning in his grave. No one has given so much
>as a casual nod to a Peterson Field Guide. There was a time not so
>many years ago when this reaction would have been pretty nigh unthinkable!
Good birding,
Steve Sosensky,
SoCA Bird Guides <steve at sosensky.com> www.sosensky.com/guides
Nature Photos www.sosensky.com/nature_photos.htm
Optics4Birding <steve at optics4birding.com> www.optics4birding.com
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 949-269-2161 33.56485 N, 117.72205 W
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: Watching Migrating Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River
(link)
From: Devorah Bennu <birdologist(AT)yahoo.com>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 7:21pm
Hello everyone,
here is my trip report from my amazing experience
watching migrating sandhill cranes on the Platte River
in Nebraska this past weekend;
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2008/04/migrating_sandhill_cranes_on_t.php
it includes lots of images, too!
GrrlScientist
Devorah
http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/
Roosting high up a tree somewhere in Central Park, NYC
____________________________________________________________________________________
You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total
Access, No Cost.
http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
[ << | >> | ^^ ]
Subject: RE: Illistrating the experience
From: "Jim Lockyer" <jim(AT)jl-studio.com>
Date: 2 Apr 2008 7:46pm
Robert,
Your concluding question has been already been answered for a for a number
of years. There are birding checklists, recording, and drawing programs
currently available for handheld computers (PDA's). Be aware however that
these computer drawing programs won't make you a better artist.
I am wondering what you consider as a "birding activity" where time can't be
wasted by taking time to study and draw the subject matter?
I participate in many different "birding activities" ranging from BIG DAYS
to studying a single species during a breeding season. Each "birding
activity" I engage in requires a different set of tools and frame of mind.
Some activities require nothing more than your sight and hearing abilities
to record everything you see and hear in a 24-hour period (BIG DAYS). My
yard bird watching is usually a relaxed moment while reading the paper and
drinking my morning coffee - I sometimes use a camera if a particular bird
or event occurs. When I am counting migrating raptors at the hawk watch my
principal tool, besides having learned to identify high flying raptors, is a
digital camera with a 400mm telephoto lens hoping to capture a rare migrant
or a low-flying regular. On birding field trips or outings I just usually go
with the group and record the birds seen or heard. All these "birding
activities" require a different set of tools and a different frame of mind.
I will admit that my most relaxing and rewarding birding activities occur
when I am pursuing the "birding activity" through journaling. Rather than
being a transient member to my environment I become part of my environment
and you take time to enjoy where I am and what I am doing.
You don't have to be an accomplished artist to maintain a journal many
journals are strictly the written word describing in detail the
observations.
I am a certified technology geek but I have long recognized that
written/drawn journals will far outlive the digital media. I suggest that
every outdoor enthusiast consider maintaining an active personal outdoor
journal not only for yourself but better yet for your children and
grand-children.
Jim Lockyer - jl-studio
610.246.5169
www.jl-studio.com
www.natjour.com
-----Original Message-----
From: National Birding Hotline Cooperative (Chat Line)
[mailto:BIRDCHAT(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of Robert Kyse
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 6:54 PM
To: BIRDCHAT(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Re: [BIRDCHAT] Illistrating the experience
Brenda wrote "...observe, observe, observe! I take notes or draw...".
Seems like a romantic notion - exploring some old growth and creating
charming drawings of the experience - bring a bit of it back with you to
remember and share. But I'm not so jaded to think that's not a great idea -
if only I could draw handedly.
And Steve Sosensky wrote "... I have Handheld Birds on my Treo 650 and that
is always with me, so I don't carry a book around with me all day. Also on
my Treo is a set of the undertail illustrations from Garrett & Dunn's
Warblers..." (http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/195/3191/126.html).
Leverage the experience, jack in - the ultimate nature supplement
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality).
OK, that was a corny exaggeration. Actually, I think this set-up points to a
marvelous future when one can bring the whole library with them.
Together these ideas suggest a way to use technology to create your own
personal drawings. The problem with paper drawings is that it may take a
lifetime to develop the artistic skill. And who would want to interrupt the
birding experience to make a detailed drawing even if they had the ability?
But it occurs to me that there may be a portable computer drawing method
that would allow one to make an initial quick sketch which could be
continually improved as subsequent opportunities arose. A set of these
drawings would eventually become your own personal field guide.
So I ask - is this romantic fantasy, science fiction or maybe a real
possibility?
Robert Kyse
Rio Rancho, NM
----- Original Message -----
From: "Brenda Best" <bestbird(AT)VERIZON.NET>
To: <BIRDCHAT(AT)LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: [BIRDCHAT] North America Field Guides---How do they rate?
>I have to admit I don't carry a field guide into the field. I have both
>the big Sibley and the eastern Sibley in my car and can refer to them when
>I get back to it. And I wait to look at other field guides when I get
>home.
>
> What this forces me to do is observe, observe, observe! I take notes or
> draw when I come across something I need to check out in a field guide.
>
>
> Brenda
> --
> Brenda Best
> Durhamville, NY 13054
> bestbird(AT)verizon.net
>
> BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
> Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
BirdChat Guidelines: http://www.ksu.edu/audubon/chatguidelines.html
Archives: http://listserv.arizona.edu/archives/birdchat.html
|
|
|
|
BIRDxxxx
BIRDCHAT
ID-FRONTIERS
US:NewEngland