June 2023

Hot Birds: June 2023

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:18 GMT

Less than a year after Berkshire County recorded its first record of Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, the second record came along. Last year’s single bird was a one-day wonder. This year, Jonathan Pierce found a flock of 11 Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks that stuck around from May 6 through May 9. Photograph by Joseph Sefter.

On April 22 near Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, Matthew Ekerson was tracking a swallow with his binoculars, when the swallow flew past a Franklin’s Gull. The gull disappeared just after his brother Joel arrived and saw it. The next day, Valerie Burdette found a Franklin’s Gull near the northern shore of Wachusett Reservoir. Birders in the area enjoyed that one through the following day. Photograph by Jim Guion.

About Books: In The Footsteps of Audubon and Darwin

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:08 GMT

In the Footsteps of Audubon. Denis Clavreul. 2022. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey.

Galapágos: A Natural History. John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin. 2022. Princeton University Press. Princeton New Jersey.

Birders often follow in the footsteps of others. Someone finds a rarity, posts its location, and numbers of birders will promptly follow the directions to that bird. Birders love “where to find” articles and closely follow the directions of the author in the hopes of seeing the species the author mentions at the spot written about. Less common are “where to find” books to locations near and far. These guides are critical for any birder venturing out of state or out of country on their own. Finally, we often closely follow in the footsteps of trip leaders whom we count on to know where the good birds are and to point them out to us. Following is in our blood. Below are two unique books that follow in the footsteps of an illustrious artist of American birds and one of the founders of the theory of evolution.

“I decided that I would go to America one day to discover the landscapes, trees, and birds that enchanted the life of John James Audubon.” (p. 1, In the Footsteps of Audubon)

At a Glance: June 2023

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:04 GMT

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Zaps: 51-3

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:03 GMT

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Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:02 GMT