Book Review: The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors

I was fortunate to receive a copy of The Crossley ID Guide: Raptors from Princeton University Press recently.

Most birders I know have a copy of The Crossley ID Guide, Eastern Birds, that I reviewed previously. The original Crossley guide was a very large volume with photos of all the bird species in the U.S. So why should a birder invest in another Crossley guide? Because  the raptor guide is focused on more in-depth information on the species they cover and spends a lot of space on comparing characteristics to differentiate birds in the field. Raptors are notoriously difficult for most birders; we can use all the help we can get.

Sample Alpomado Falcon plate, used with permission

As with the previous Crossley guide, there are lots of photos. I've included a sample from the section on the Alpomado falcon to the right.

However, I really enjoyed the ability to learn more about the individual birds in the new book. There were multiple plates for one of my favorite little raptors, the American kestrel. These elegant little birds are very common in north central Texas in the winter. They are much less common in the summer, but they do breed here--we get fuzzy little babies at Wild Bird Rescue most summers. Other less common falcons are the prairie falcon and the peregrine falcon.

The Crossley Guide is not really intended to be used in the field, although the raptor guide is small enough to carry. What the book is especially good for is to study between field trips to improve your knowledge of field marks and plumages when you have time to really study the differences. I especially liked the quiz pages where multiple similar species are shown sitting and in-flight, from various aspects, with the opportunity to determine the identification on your own before looking at the key.

For those interested in more information, check out the free sampler available at the Princeton University Press site. You can also learn more about the guide (and other neat stuff about birds) by checking out the Princeton University Press blog tour. There have been some really excellent blogs so far--you can find them all in the blog tour schedule. The blog tour started on March 11 and will run through this week, culminating in a Raptor ID Happy Hour with Richard Crossley and Brian Sullivan, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST on Friday. March 22. You can access the Happy Hour at http://shindig.com/event/raptorid.

Also right now, Princeton University Press is holding a contest for several prizes to include autographed copies of this book, binoculars and other items for one lucky person.

I hope you'll take part in some of the activities associated with the launch of this book and be sure to order your copy from Princeton University Press or your local book store.

Good birding!

North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club

The  North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club will meet at 7PM at the National Letter Carriers Union Hall at 5310 Southwest Parkway on Tuesday, March 19. This is a small group where members discuss their sightings, share new books and interesting magazine articles and have a short program on some topic.  Come on out!

Good birding!

Book Review: Texas Waterfowl

Well, I've been negligent lately. I have had the book, Texas Waterfowl, by William P. Johnson and Mark W. Lockwood for some weeks and haven't posted a review.

Most of our ducks are here in the winter--only a few are present in the summer months. They are an identification challenge for most of us, especially the immatures and females.

When I lived in Virginia I was fortunate enough to bird with a lady who had spent 40 + years banding warblers. She could identify any warbler she saw even a glimpse of immediately. We were birding one day and we came across some ducks. I asked her if she recognized the species and her answer was, "They're ducks." She hadn't spent nearly as much time learning about ducks. However, for those who are interested in learning more about these birds, consider getting this book.

This slender volume is dedicated to the 45 species of ducks, geese and swans that occur in Texas. The book has an interesting and informational profile on each bird, a range map and a bibliography to help those who are looking for more information. If there is one thing I would like to have seen, it would be at least one photo of each bird in flight. That seems to be the way I see them many times and the only photos were of ducks on the water.

Published by Texas A&M University Press, the book is $25 and well worth the addition to your library if you would like to learn more about these fascinating birds. On Amazon, you can get the book for $16.76.

Good birding!

This Weekend's GBBC Events

The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts today and runs through Monday. If you feel you don't know enough to participate on your own, there are two events where you can bird with others.

Smith's Gardentown will be participating in the GBBC from 10 AM - 2 PM. Members of the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalist chapter will be there from 10 AM - Noon to tell customers about the GBBC and to help them identify birds.

On Sunday, from sunrise until 9 AM, the Rolling Plains Texas Master Naturalist members will be behind Wild Bird Rescue to do a GBBC count and to help people identify birds.

You can take part in these counts for as little or as much time as you want.

Good birding!

Great Backyard Bird Count

The Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend. I plan to bird every day for a while. If you want to go, message me and we'll connect. I try to bird at least Lucy Park and Lake Wichita Park. I haven't decided if I will try to add to my Texas Century Club count or perhaps try several spots along the city trail system.

Smith's Gardentown is doing a count at their store all day on Saturday.

The Rolling Plains chapter Texas Master Naturalist usually has a public count out behind Wild Bird Rescue. I haven't heard about a definite time/date. I'll post as soon as I hear something.

This is a great activity to do with kids, whether you know much about birds or not. You can participate for as little as 15 minutes.

I hope you find the time to take part sometime over the weekend.

Good birding!

Lake Arrowhead This Morning

No one turned up at Lake Arrowhead State Park this morning for the bird walk. The park was fairly empty. The cooler weather combined with a rainy forecast seems to have kept people away. Since I have been fighting the crud for two weeks, in a way it was nice, since it meant I could get home and get back into my PJs and under my fuzzy blanket.

Once it was apparent no one was going to show, I made a short drive through the park and on W. Arrowhead Rd. to Bridwell tank.

Inside the park, I saw a Carolina wren, who was scolding me while I filled out my pass at the gate. Later I saw the following birds: great blue heron, double-crested cormorant, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, ring-billed gull, red-tailed hawk, northern flicker, ladder-backed woodpecker, red-winged blackbird, northern cardinal, northern mockingbird, white-crowned sparrow, house finch and European starling. The prairie dogs were mostly underground, although the sentries barked a warning when I was in the area.

Upon leaving, I took a short jaunt around W. Arrowhead Rd. to Bridwell tank. Only the back side of the tank has any water and the Lake Arrowhead side of the road is completely dry, as it has been for several months. However, I did see three white-tailed deer along the way as well as some eastern bluebirds, eastern meadowlarks and American kestrels. Coming home on FM 1954 in Archer Co, I added northern harrier, mallard ducks and a loggerhead shrike.

So not a bad morning for a quick trip. I'll spend the rest of the day watching birds at my feeder for Project Feederwatch. At least I am getting some American goldfinch now in an otherwise lackluster year.

Good birding!

Bird Walk at Lake Arrowhead State Park Saturday

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 9, is the date for this month's bird walk at Lake Arrowhead State Park. Meet at the firewood shed in the first camping area on the left. Meet at 8 AM.

It's supposed to be fairly cold in the AM, but we shouldn't see rain until later in the day (although if it rains, it will be so awesome, I'll be dancing in it--cold or no cold!)