More Australian Birding Tales

More Australian Birding Tales

Author: R Bruce Richardson

Publisher:

Published: 2022-10-20

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 9781913679248

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More Australian Birding Tales takes up where the author's very successful first book, An Australian Birding Year, ended. In this new book Bruce Richardson describes his further birding adventures, which take his total 'life list' from 672 to 759, well exceeding his initial target of 700 species. He delights in finding new 'lifer' species, whether they are common but not yet seen by him or mega rarities, but he also glories in the fact that his birding trips take him to stunning parts of Australia that he wouldn't normally have visited. He travels through the outback, takes the ferry over to Tasmania, makes several pelagic expeditions and goes on a memorable trip to Cocos/Keeling and Christmas Islands. He describes his travels with humour, and intersperses the ticks and the dips of birding with personal anecdotes of a life lived through good times and bad. Although reaching the 700 species target was a milestone, for Bruce birding is equally about the vibe, the good friends he makes along the way, and his exploration of the glorious Australian countryside. He certainly does see some cool birds though.


Book Synopsis More Australian Birding Tales by : R Bruce Richardson

Download or read book More Australian Birding Tales written by R Bruce Richardson and published by . This book was released on 2022-10-20 with total page 368 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: More Australian Birding Tales takes up where the author's very successful first book, An Australian Birding Year, ended. In this new book Bruce Richardson describes his further birding adventures, which take his total 'life list' from 672 to 759, well exceeding his initial target of 700 species. He delights in finding new 'lifer' species, whether they are common but not yet seen by him or mega rarities, but he also glories in the fact that his birding trips take him to stunning parts of Australia that he wouldn't normally have visited. He travels through the outback, takes the ferry over to Tasmania, makes several pelagic expeditions and goes on a memorable trip to Cocos/Keeling and Christmas Islands. He describes his travels with humour, and intersperses the ticks and the dips of birding with personal anecdotes of a life lived through good times and bad. Although reaching the 700 species target was a milestone, for Bruce birding is equally about the vibe, the good friends he makes along the way, and his exploration of the glorious Australian countryside. He certainly does see some cool birds though.

An Australian Birding Year

An Australian Birding Year

Author: R. Bruce Richardson

Publisher:

Published: 2021-04-30

Total Pages: 372

ISBN-13: 9781912081387

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A highly personal account of a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that saw Bruce and his wife, Lynn, embark on a year of travel and birding across the entire continent of Australia in a camper van. Their aim was to see as many birds as possible together in the year. It began with a fly-past of two Gang-gang Cockatoos and ended with a first-ever sighting of a Northern Shoveler with 637 other species in between. His humorous stories describe the ups and downs of the experience from overcrowded campsites and boggy tracks to great pub meals and surprise encounters with birding friends; from the missed birds to the triumph of spotting a 'lifer'. The book is more than a list of birds and how Bruce and Lynn got to see them, it also describes the evolution of their relationship and the wonder that they both had in discovering the stunning countryside of Australia.


Book Synopsis An Australian Birding Year by : R. Bruce Richardson

Download or read book An Australian Birding Year written by R. Bruce Richardson and published by . This book was released on 2021-04-30 with total page 372 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A highly personal account of a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that saw Bruce and his wife, Lynn, embark on a year of travel and birding across the entire continent of Australia in a camper van. Their aim was to see as many birds as possible together in the year. It began with a fly-past of two Gang-gang Cockatoos and ended with a first-ever sighting of a Northern Shoveler with 637 other species in between. His humorous stories describe the ups and downs of the experience from overcrowded campsites and boggy tracks to great pub meals and surprise encounters with birding friends; from the missed birds to the triumph of spotting a 'lifer'. The book is more than a list of birds and how Bruce and Lynn got to see them, it also describes the evolution of their relationship and the wonder that they both had in discovering the stunning countryside of Australia.

The Big Twitch

The Big Twitch

Author: Sean Dooley

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Published: 2005-10-01

Total Pages: 335

ISBN-13: 1741159164

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One man's quest to realise a boyhood dream and break a national record. Sean Dooley seems like a well adjusted, functioning member of society but beneath the respectable veneer he harbours a dark secret. He is a hard-core birdwatcher (aka twitcher'). Sean takes a year off to try to break the Australian twitching record - he has to see more than 700 birds in twelve months. Travelling the length and breadth of Australia, he stops at nothing in search of this birdwatching Holy Grail, blowing his inheritance, his career prospects and any chance he has of finding a girlfriend. Part confessional, part travelogue, this is a true story about obsession. It's about seeking the meaning of life, trying to work out what normal' is, and searching for the elusive Grey Falcon (the bird, not the car). Sean's story of how he followed his childhood dream of becoming a national champion is both inspiring and ridiculous. Could this be the most pathetic great achievement in Australian history?


Book Synopsis The Big Twitch by : Sean Dooley

Download or read book The Big Twitch written by Sean Dooley and published by Allen & Unwin. This book was released on 2005-10-01 with total page 335 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One man's quest to realise a boyhood dream and break a national record. Sean Dooley seems like a well adjusted, functioning member of society but beneath the respectable veneer he harbours a dark secret. He is a hard-core birdwatcher (aka twitcher'). Sean takes a year off to try to break the Australian twitching record - he has to see more than 700 birds in twelve months. Travelling the length and breadth of Australia, he stops at nothing in search of this birdwatching Holy Grail, blowing his inheritance, his career prospects and any chance he has of finding a girlfriend. Part confessional, part travelogue, this is a true story about obsession. It's about seeking the meaning of life, trying to work out what normal' is, and searching for the elusive Grey Falcon (the bird, not the car). Sean's story of how he followed his childhood dream of becoming a national champion is both inspiring and ridiculous. Could this be the most pathetic great achievement in Australian history?

Birding in an Age of Extinctions

Birding in an Age of Extinctions

Author: Martin Painter

Publisher:

Published: 2021-06-25

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9781849954877

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Book Synopsis Birding in an Age of Extinctions by : Martin Painter

Download or read book Birding in an Age of Extinctions written by Martin Painter and published by . This book was released on 2021-06-25 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder

More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder

Author: Pete Dunne

Publisher: University of Texas Press

Published: 1994-06-01

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9780292715721

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". . . as the birding community has grown, the gulf between what the beginner knows and what the expert knows has also grown wider and wider. That's one of the reasons why Pete Dunne's writings are so valuable. Pete is undeniably a top birder, but he writes most of his material for people who are not. . . . In Dunne's birding world, shared interest is the only coin of the realm, and even the rank novice is greeted with respect." —from the foreword by Kenn Kaufman More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder brings together twenty-five recent essays that originally appeared in major birding publications. In these pieces, Pete Dunne ranges from wildly humorous to sadly elegiac, as he describes everything from the "field plumage" of the dedicated birder to the lingering death of an accidentally injured golden plover. Running like a thread through all the essays is Dunne's love and respect for the birds he watches, his concern over human threats to their survival, and his tolerance, even affection, for the human "odd birds" that birding attracts. Truly, these essays offer something for everyone interested in birds and the natural habitats our species share.


Book Synopsis More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder by : Pete Dunne

Download or read book More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder written by Pete Dunne and published by University of Texas Press. This book was released on 1994-06-01 with total page 148 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ". . . as the birding community has grown, the gulf between what the beginner knows and what the expert knows has also grown wider and wider. That's one of the reasons why Pete Dunne's writings are so valuable. Pete is undeniably a top birder, but he writes most of his material for people who are not. . . . In Dunne's birding world, shared interest is the only coin of the realm, and even the rank novice is greeted with respect." —from the foreword by Kenn Kaufman More Tales of a Low-Rent Birder brings together twenty-five recent essays that originally appeared in major birding publications. In these pieces, Pete Dunne ranges from wildly humorous to sadly elegiac, as he describes everything from the "field plumage" of the dedicated birder to the lingering death of an accidentally injured golden plover. Running like a thread through all the essays is Dunne's love and respect for the birds he watches, his concern over human threats to their survival, and his tolerance, even affection, for the human "odd birds" that birding attracts. Truly, these essays offer something for everyone interested in birds and the natural habitats our species share.

Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks

Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks

Author: Ray Reedman

Publisher: Pelagic Publishing Ltd

Published: 2016-08-15

Total Pages: 550

ISBN-13: 1784270938

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The Lapwing once had many regional names; the Loon has a British-American identity crisis and the respectable-sounding Apostlebird is often called a Lousy Jack. Why do bird names, both common and scientific, change over time and why do they vary so much between different parts of the English-speaking world? Wandering through the scientific and cultural history of ornithology takes us to the heart of understanding the long relationship between birds and people. Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks uncovers the stories behind the incredible diversity of bird names, explains what many scientific names actually mean and takes a look at the history of the system by which we name birds. Ray Reedman explores the natural history and folklore behind bird names, in doing so unlocking the mystery of the name Scoter, the last unexplained common name of a British bird species.


Book Synopsis Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks by : Ray Reedman

Download or read book Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks written by Ray Reedman and published by Pelagic Publishing Ltd. This book was released on 2016-08-15 with total page 550 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Lapwing once had many regional names; the Loon has a British-American identity crisis and the respectable-sounding Apostlebird is often called a Lousy Jack. Why do bird names, both common and scientific, change over time and why do they vary so much between different parts of the English-speaking world? Wandering through the scientific and cultural history of ornithology takes us to the heart of understanding the long relationship between birds and people. Lapwings, Loons and Lousy Jacks uncovers the stories behind the incredible diversity of bird names, explains what many scientific names actually mean and takes a look at the history of the system by which we name birds. Ray Reedman explores the natural history and folklore behind bird names, in doing so unlocking the mystery of the name Scoter, the last unexplained common name of a British bird species.

To See Every Bird on Earth

To See Every Bird on Earth

Author: Dan Koeppel

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2006-04-25

Total Pages: 305

ISBN-13: 1440627037

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What drives a man to travel to sixty countries and spend a fortune to count birds? And what if that man is your father? Richard Koeppel’s obsession began at age twelve, in Queens, New York, when he first spotted a Brown Thrasher, and jotted the sighting in a notebook. Several decades, one failed marriage, and two sons later, he set out to see every bird on earth, becoming a member of a subculture of competitive bird watchers worldwide all pursuing the same goal. Over twenty-five years, he collected over seven thousand species, becoming one of about ten people ever to do so. To See Every Bird on Earth explores the thrill of this chase, a crusade at the expense of all else—for the sake of making a check in a notebook. A riveting glimpse into a fascinating subculture, the book traces the love, loss, and reconnection between a father and son, and explains why birds are so critical to the human search for our place in the world. “Marvelous. I loved just about everything about this book.”—Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman “A lovingly told story . . . helps you understand what moves humans to seek escape in seemingly strange other worlds.”—Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak “Everyone has his or her addiction, and birdwatching is the drug of choice for the father of author Dan Koeppel, who writes affectionately but honestly about his father’s obsession.”—Audubon Magazine (editor’s choice) “As a glimpse into human behavior and family relationships, To See Every Bird on Earth is a rarity: a book about birding that nonbirders will find just as rewarding.”—Chicago Tribune


Book Synopsis To See Every Bird on Earth by : Dan Koeppel

Download or read book To See Every Bird on Earth written by Dan Koeppel and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2006-04-25 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What drives a man to travel to sixty countries and spend a fortune to count birds? And what if that man is your father? Richard Koeppel’s obsession began at age twelve, in Queens, New York, when he first spotted a Brown Thrasher, and jotted the sighting in a notebook. Several decades, one failed marriage, and two sons later, he set out to see every bird on earth, becoming a member of a subculture of competitive bird watchers worldwide all pursuing the same goal. Over twenty-five years, he collected over seven thousand species, becoming one of about ten people ever to do so. To See Every Bird on Earth explores the thrill of this chase, a crusade at the expense of all else—for the sake of making a check in a notebook. A riveting glimpse into a fascinating subculture, the book traces the love, loss, and reconnection between a father and son, and explains why birds are so critical to the human search for our place in the world. “Marvelous. I loved just about everything about this book.”—Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman “A lovingly told story . . . helps you understand what moves humans to seek escape in seemingly strange other worlds.”—Stefan Fatsis, author of Word Freak “Everyone has his or her addiction, and birdwatching is the drug of choice for the father of author Dan Koeppel, who writes affectionately but honestly about his father’s obsession.”—Audubon Magazine (editor’s choice) “As a glimpse into human behavior and family relationships, To See Every Bird on Earth is a rarity: a book about birding that nonbirders will find just as rewarding.”—Chicago Tribune

Flight Lines

Flight Lines

Author: Andrew Darby

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2020-11-03

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 1643135775

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A trans-world journey with an extraorindary shorebird—from Australia's southern ocean to the Arctic and back—that explores the mysteries of the natural world and its power to heal. As the sun lowered and turned Gulf St Vincent fiery, they each called a high-pitched 'peeooowiii!', flashed their black wing-pits, spread their tail skirts and took flight... In a luminous new boook, Andrew Darby follows the odysseys of two seemingly-humble Grey Plovers, little-known migratory shorebirds, as they take previously uncharted ultramarathon flights from the southern coast of Australia to Arctic breeding grounds. On these death-defying flights they dodge predators, typhoons, exhaustion, and countless other dangers before they can breed...and then survive the jrouney all over again and return south to their feeding grounds. But the greatest threat to these, and other long-distance migrants on the flyway, is China's "dragon economy," which is engulfing their vital Yellow Sea staging spots. In Flight Lines, we meet the dedicated people of all nationalities and backgrounds working to save these intrepid birds, from Russia to Alaska, from the rim of the Arctic Sea to the coasts of the Southern Ocean. Out of their hard-won science Darby finds hope for the birds—an unexpected bright light for our times. But his journey to understand these marvellous birds almost ends when he is suddenly diagnosed with an incurable cancer. Then he finds science coming to his rescue too, as his own story and the journey of these little birds intersect in an unexpected and beautiful way.


Book Synopsis Flight Lines by : Andrew Darby

Download or read book Flight Lines written by Andrew Darby and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2020-11-03 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A trans-world journey with an extraorindary shorebird—from Australia's southern ocean to the Arctic and back—that explores the mysteries of the natural world and its power to heal. As the sun lowered and turned Gulf St Vincent fiery, they each called a high-pitched 'peeooowiii!', flashed their black wing-pits, spread their tail skirts and took flight... In a luminous new boook, Andrew Darby follows the odysseys of two seemingly-humble Grey Plovers, little-known migratory shorebirds, as they take previously uncharted ultramarathon flights from the southern coast of Australia to Arctic breeding grounds. On these death-defying flights they dodge predators, typhoons, exhaustion, and countless other dangers before they can breed...and then survive the jrouney all over again and return south to their feeding grounds. But the greatest threat to these, and other long-distance migrants on the flyway, is China's "dragon economy," which is engulfing their vital Yellow Sea staging spots. In Flight Lines, we meet the dedicated people of all nationalities and backgrounds working to save these intrepid birds, from Russia to Alaska, from the rim of the Arctic Sea to the coasts of the Southern Ocean. Out of their hard-won science Darby finds hope for the birds—an unexpected bright light for our times. But his journey to understand these marvellous birds almost ends when he is suddenly diagnosed with an incurable cancer. Then he finds science coming to his rescue too, as his own story and the journey of these little birds intersect in an unexpected and beautiful way.

Birdscapes

Birdscapes

Author: Jeremy Mynott

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2021-10-12

Total Pages: 398

ISBN-13: 1400832837

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What draws us to the beauty of a peacock, the flight of an eagle, or the song of a nightingale? Why are birds so significant in our lives and our sense of the world? And what do our ways of thinking about and experiencing birds tell us about ourselves? Birdscapes is a unique meditation on the variety of human responses to birds, from antiquity to today, and from casual observers to the globe-trotting "twitchers" who sometimes risk life, limb, and marriages simply to add new species to their "life lists." Drawing extensively on literature, history, philosophy, and science, Jeremy Mynott puts his own experiences as a birdwatcher in a rich cultural context. His sources range from the familiar--Thoreau, Keats, Darwin, and Audubon--to the unexpected--Benjamin Franklin, Giacomo Puccini, Oscar Wilde, and Monty Python. Just as unusual are the extensive illustrations, which explore our perceptions and representations of birds through images such as national emblems, women's hats, professional sports logos, and a Christmas biscuit tin, as well as classics of bird art. Each chapter takes up a new theme--from rarity, beauty, and sound to conservation, naming, and symbolism--and is set in a new place, as Mynott travels from his "home patch" in Suffolk, England, to his "away patch" in New York City's Central Park, as well as to Russia, Australia, and Greece. Conversational, playful, and witty, Birdscapes gently leads us to reflect on large questions about our relation to birds and the natural world. It encourages birders to see their pursuits in a broader human context--and it shows nonbirders what they may be missing.


Book Synopsis Birdscapes by : Jeremy Mynott

Download or read book Birdscapes written by Jeremy Mynott and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2021-10-12 with total page 398 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What draws us to the beauty of a peacock, the flight of an eagle, or the song of a nightingale? Why are birds so significant in our lives and our sense of the world? And what do our ways of thinking about and experiencing birds tell us about ourselves? Birdscapes is a unique meditation on the variety of human responses to birds, from antiquity to today, and from casual observers to the globe-trotting "twitchers" who sometimes risk life, limb, and marriages simply to add new species to their "life lists." Drawing extensively on literature, history, philosophy, and science, Jeremy Mynott puts his own experiences as a birdwatcher in a rich cultural context. His sources range from the familiar--Thoreau, Keats, Darwin, and Audubon--to the unexpected--Benjamin Franklin, Giacomo Puccini, Oscar Wilde, and Monty Python. Just as unusual are the extensive illustrations, which explore our perceptions and representations of birds through images such as national emblems, women's hats, professional sports logos, and a Christmas biscuit tin, as well as classics of bird art. Each chapter takes up a new theme--from rarity, beauty, and sound to conservation, naming, and symbolism--and is set in a new place, as Mynott travels from his "home patch" in Suffolk, England, to his "away patch" in New York City's Central Park, as well as to Russia, Australia, and Greece. Conversational, playful, and witty, Birdscapes gently leads us to reflect on large questions about our relation to birds and the natural world. It encourages birders to see their pursuits in a broader human context--and it shows nonbirders what they may be missing.

Owls

Owls

Author: Matt Sewell

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Published: 2015-09-22

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1607748797

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An enchanting illustrated guide to owl species of the world. The owl is one of nature’s most captivating creatures. In this enchanting guide, artist Matt Sewell brings to life fifty species from around the world. From the adorable Eurasian Pygmy Owl, small enough to fit in your pocket, to the Great Gray Owl, celebrated for its size and elegance—these charming illustrations are sure to delight anyone intrigued by these wise and wonderful animals.


Book Synopsis Owls by : Matt Sewell

Download or read book Owls written by Matt Sewell and published by Ten Speed Press. This book was released on 2015-09-22 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An enchanting illustrated guide to owl species of the world. The owl is one of nature’s most captivating creatures. In this enchanting guide, artist Matt Sewell brings to life fifty species from around the world. From the adorable Eurasian Pygmy Owl, small enough to fit in your pocket, to the Great Gray Owl, celebrated for its size and elegance—these charming illustrations are sure to delight anyone intrigued by these wise and wonderful animals.