I am planning a trip to Florida next Spring, primarily for bird photography, and I would like to have at least a vague idea of what I am looking at.
Can anyone recommend a reasonably sized (and priced) ID guide? (If not I will try the USA forums, but I suspect books recommended here will be eaier to source in the UK!)
Thanks
I use the "Field Guide to the Birds of North America" published by National Geographic, ISBN 0-7922-6877-6. It cost me £14.99 in the UK. It is a standard field guide size, with great illustrations and very clear maps. I thoroughly recommend it.
Simple, the accepted “Bible” is “The Sibley Guide to Birds” by David Allen Sibley, ISBN 0-679-45122-6, published by the National Audubon Society of America, it is larger than the Collins “Bird Guide”, but much the same re format.
Since I bought the above, there are now two new Sibley books available, “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (Paperback)” & “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America (Turtle) both are just over £9.00 on Amazon. You would obviously be interested in the eastern one. Sorry haven’t got the ISBN’s.
Sibley’s books are freely available in any of the refuge shops in Florida.
Personally I would get either the “Bible” if possible, if not then “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” and leave it here in the UK, for reference to when I get back, all books are heavy. At the first opportunity I would get a book when in Florida. When you first visit any refuge you will try and get a site guide, just get a book at the same time.
As Steve says, the National Geographic Guide to the Birds of North America is an excellent book and will more than cover anything you might come across.
You can get both the “National Geographic Guide to the Birds of North America” and “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” from Amazon for £18.87 incl. P&P.
As you are going next spring, then if you can go to the Rutland Bird Fair, August 15, 16 & 17th, there will be a whole raft of books for you to view, including most, if not all, of the above.
Going in spring, then be prepared for the mosquitoes. One trick, eat Bananas plenty of them or garlic, mosquitoes don’t like either, so will tend to leave you alone, but no guarantees.
I believe there will be field guides and bird song on CD’s available at the fair. Much lighter to carry.
Thanks both - very useful information. I am planning a trip to the Bird Fair and had completely forgotten all of the book stalls there - doh! The CD idea is great too.....
The garlic trick should at least give me a clear space to stand in even if it doesn't work for the mozzies!
Gary,
Take a look at the National Audubon Society's 'Field Guide to Birds Eastern Region'
I find it very complete and easy to use. Their books on flowers, etc. are also great.
I'm not sure about pricing but regardless they are all useful for field use...vinyl cover.
David Bartlett USA
While I agree totally with choices of Ray & David. However, you may also want to consider American Bird Conservancy's field guide All The Birds of North America ISBN 0-06-273028-2 which was $19.95 when bought. Some species groups better than others (several different artists involved) with Arctic birds section being the most un-inspired IMO. You won't need that section in Florida & most of these are common European birds which appear as vagrants over there!
I've always bought my USA guides in USA, usually before they're available in the UK. Here is a price comparison based on today's £/$ exchange rate:
Sibley Birds of Eastern NA: UK £10.15 - Amazon sale price £9.13 - USA $19.95 (£10.08) - Amazon sale price $13.57 (£6.85)
Sibley NA Bird Guide: UK 24.99 - no Amazon sale price - USA $35.00 (£17.68) - Amazon sale price $23.10 (£11.67).
Florida book shops are Barnes & Noble, Borders & Books a Million. Note the selection can vary dramatically between same brand outlets, as do the deals, but most carry the Sibley guides. If you see what you want in Orlando, don't assume you can same book &/or deal in Tampa or Ft Myers. Same applies for photograhic equipment & Ritz springs immediately to mind.
As Ray as already mentioned, you may get what you want at the Bird Fair.
If it was me I would seriously consider, getting my field guides here in the UK, and leaving them behind.
I would go to the “Bird Fair” forearmed with for example, the Amazon, Subbuteo etc. price(s) and purchase accordingly.
For the actual trip I would consider taking a couple of the “Peterson Flash Guides”, and in particular the following two @ £4.50 ($8.95) each + P&P. Very light and durable.
ATLANTIC COASTAL BIRDS (PETERSON FLASH GUIDE). more than 100 species – all the most commonly seen birds from Nova Scotia to Florida
BIRDS, EASTERN TRAILSIDE (PETERSON FLASH GUIDE).
Each of the guides consists of 24 panels that fold out like a map (only more easily)! Each guide describes approximately 100 different species, including difficult to identify juveniles. Extremely durable, waterproof, lightweight and easy to carry 11.45cm (4-1/2”) x 21.6cm (8-1/2”) size.
Each species has a colour image together with a brief description, together with diagnostic field features highlighted.
Here is one supplier I found on the net, Acorn Naturalists link: http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/Peterson-Flash-Guides-C192.aspx
Don’t know if you will be able to get the flask guides at the fair, but I think that there is a 50/50 chance.
I will be at the fair for the three days so if you want to see these guides just let me know and I’ll bring them along.
Lastly, I would consider looking at the Peterson field guides these are about the size of a “Gideon Bible”.
You can always get a pucker field guide out there, if you feel you need one.
Those Bananas/Garlic, it makes your blood toxic/contaminated as far as the mozzies are concerned.
Thanks again for all the replies here. I think weight/space is going to be at a premium so the flash guides couples with stay at home references sounds like a great idea. I'm going to have a big shopping list for birdfair (and Canon are there too!)
Discussion
7 repliesCan anyone recommend a reasonably sized (and priced) ID guide? (If not I will try the USA forums, but I suspect books recommended here will be eaier to source in the UK!)
Thanks
Gary
Simple, the accepted “Bible” is “The Sibley Guide to Birds” by David Allen Sibley, ISBN 0-679-45122-6, published by the National Audubon Society of America, it is larger than the Collins “Bird Guide”, but much the same re format.
Since I bought the above, there are now two new Sibley books available, “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America (Paperback)” & “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America (Turtle) both are just over £9.00 on Amazon. You would obviously be interested in the eastern one. Sorry haven’t got the ISBN’s.
Sibley’s books are freely available in any of the refuge shops in Florida.
Personally I would get either the “Bible” if possible, if not then “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” and leave it here in the UK, for reference to when I get back, all books are heavy. At the first opportunity I would get a book when in Florida. When you first visit any refuge you will try and get a site guide, just get a book at the same time.
As Steve says, the National Geographic Guide to the Birds of North America is an excellent book and will more than cover anything you might come across.
You can get both the “National Geographic Guide to the Birds of North America” and “The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America” from Amazon for £18.87 incl. P&P.
As you are going next spring, then if you can go to the Rutland Bird Fair, August 15, 16 & 17th, there will be a whole raft of books for you to view, including most, if not all, of the above.
Going in spring, then be prepared for the mosquitoes. One trick, eat Bananas plenty of them or garlic, mosquitoes don’t like either, so will tend to leave you alone, but no guarantees.
I believe there will be field guides and bird song on CD’s available at the fair. Much lighter to carry.
Have a good trip.
The garlic trick should at least give me a clear space to stand in even if it doesn't work for the mozzies!
Gary
Take a look at the National Audubon Society's 'Field Guide to Birds Eastern Region'
I find it very complete and easy to use. Their books on flowers, etc. are also great.
I'm not sure about pricing but regardless they are all useful for field use...vinyl cover.
David Bartlett USA
While I agree totally with choices of Ray & David. However, you may also want to consider American Bird Conservancy's field guide All The Birds of North America ISBN 0-06-273028-2 which was $19.95 when bought. Some species groups better than others (several different artists involved) with Arctic birds section being the most un-inspired IMO. You won't need that section in Florida & most of these are common European birds which appear as vagrants over there!
I've always bought my USA guides in USA, usually before they're available in the UK. Here is a price comparison based on today's £/$ exchange rate:
Sibley Birds of Eastern NA: UK £10.15 - Amazon sale price £9.13 - USA $19.95 (£10.08) - Amazon sale price $13.57 (£6.85)
Sibley NA Bird Guide: UK 24.99 - no Amazon sale price - USA $35.00 (£17.68) - Amazon sale price $23.10 (£11.67).
Florida book shops are Barnes & Noble, Borders & Books a Million. Note the selection can vary dramatically between same brand outlets, as do the deals, but most carry the Sibley guides. If you see what you want in Orlando, don't assume you can same book &/or deal in Tampa or Ft Myers. Same applies for photograhic equipment & Ritz springs immediately to mind.
As Ray as already mentioned, you may get what you want at the Bird Fair.
Cheers: Wayne
Had another little think.
If it was me I would seriously consider, getting my field guides here in the UK, and leaving them behind.
I would go to the “Bird Fair” forearmed with for example, the Amazon, Subbuteo etc. price(s) and purchase accordingly.
For the actual trip I would consider taking a couple of the “Peterson Flash Guides”, and in particular the following two @ £4.50 ($8.95) each + P&P. Very light and durable.
ATLANTIC COASTAL BIRDS (PETERSON FLASH GUIDE). more than 100 species – all the most commonly seen birds from Nova Scotia to Florida
BIRDS, EASTERN TRAILSIDE (PETERSON FLASH GUIDE).
Each of the guides consists of 24 panels that fold out like a map (only more easily)! Each guide describes approximately 100 different species, including difficult to identify juveniles. Extremely durable, waterproof, lightweight and easy to carry 11.45cm (4-1/2”) x 21.6cm (8-1/2”) size.
Each species has a colour image together with a brief description, together with diagnostic field features highlighted.
Here is one supplier I found on the net, Acorn Naturalists link: http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/Peterson-Flash-Guides-C192.aspx
Don’t know if you will be able to get the flask guides at the fair, but I think that there is a 50/50 chance.
I will be at the fair for the three days so if you want to see these guides just let me know and I’ll bring them along.
Lastly, I would consider looking at the Peterson field guides these are about the size of a “Gideon Bible”.
You can always get a pucker field guide out there, if you feel you need one.
Those Bananas/Garlic, it makes your blood toxic/contaminated as far as the mozzies are concerned.
Good luck