Post by tmanson on Sept 23, 2006 15:56:47 GMT -8
A relative recently gave me Pete Dunne's " Essential Field Guide Companion ".
At first glance, I thought, oh great, a field guide with no paintings, photographs, distribution maps, or, even much in the way of feather description.
The more I got into it, however, the more I enjoyed it, and, more importantly, the more I learned about birds.
Mr Dunne states from the beginning, that this book should be used as a companion to one of the field guides that are published, that show birds in their various plumages, with accompanying distribution maps, etc.
Although the title states it is a field companion, you'd want a pretty good sized backpack, because it is a hard cover book of 710 pages.
On the other hand, each species of bird has, on average, at least one page of text devoted to it. You, therefore, learn more about each species than you could possibly glean from a field guide, which necessarily, has to devote considerable space to what the bird looks like, and maps, where it can be usually be found. Of particular interest, each bird has a descriptive section on its behaviour. This section can be particularly helpful in identifying a bird. For example, a seasonal migrant I am now keeping an eye out for, a White-rumped Sandpiper is described as " a very active feeder that walks quickly across mud flats. Stopping after several steps, it makes several rapid half-bill-length jabs into the mud, then continues on. Often stands with its belly to the water, and sometimes submerges its head. " The description continues with comparisons to Semi-Palmated, and Baird's Sandpipers, its closest comparisons. In most field guides, out of necessity, you don't get that kind of detailed information.
For local birders, I think Jason has this book in his store. He may wish to reply to this post.
All in all, a great book, and a worthy edition to the serious birders's library. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.
At first glance, I thought, oh great, a field guide with no paintings, photographs, distribution maps, or, even much in the way of feather description.
The more I got into it, however, the more I enjoyed it, and, more importantly, the more I learned about birds.
Mr Dunne states from the beginning, that this book should be used as a companion to one of the field guides that are published, that show birds in their various plumages, with accompanying distribution maps, etc.
Although the title states it is a field companion, you'd want a pretty good sized backpack, because it is a hard cover book of 710 pages.
On the other hand, each species of bird has, on average, at least one page of text devoted to it. You, therefore, learn more about each species than you could possibly glean from a field guide, which necessarily, has to devote considerable space to what the bird looks like, and maps, where it can be usually be found. Of particular interest, each bird has a descriptive section on its behaviour. This section can be particularly helpful in identifying a bird. For example, a seasonal migrant I am now keeping an eye out for, a White-rumped Sandpiper is described as " a very active feeder that walks quickly across mud flats. Stopping after several steps, it makes several rapid half-bill-length jabs into the mud, then continues on. Often stands with its belly to the water, and sometimes submerges its head. " The description continues with comparisons to Semi-Palmated, and Baird's Sandpipers, its closest comparisons. In most field guides, out of necessity, you don't get that kind of detailed information.
For local birders, I think Jason has this book in his store. He may wish to reply to this post.
All in all, a great book, and a worthy edition to the serious birders's library. Cheers, Thor
Thor Manson
Hope, B.C.