So today I'm putting some thoughts down regarding "How to Be a Better Birder", written by Derek Lovitch, and published by Princeton University Press in 2012. It is 192 pages long and costs $19.95.
You'll notice one thing already, it was published in 2012. Yes, there is a reason I haven't gotten around to reviewing this book for almost 2 years... but we'll get to that in the last paragraph. Or if you'd rather, just skip to the last paragraph at the sound of the beep. -BEEEEP-
This book, although not physically hefty, isn't a light, story-telling kind of journey. In fact, I don't find much of a journey at all; it feels more like I'm sitting in high school being preached down to. That may seem harsh BUT that might be a result of the audience in this circumstance; I wouldn't say this is a book for somebody who has spent their entire life birding. Although some might disagree with me on that... well, that's fine, you do that. But seriously, I imagine the folks that will enjoy this book the most are birders who are just getting on their own two feet about "Ok, that's a House Sparrow". They still need to hear stories about how geography can play a role in birding, or that fallouts happen, or that weather does in fact change migration. If these are new concepts to you and you're looking for a guide to what better birders already know, you've just hit a serious jackpot!
Here are the chapter titles:
Chapter 1 - Advanced Field Identification
Chapter 2 - Birding by Habitat
Chapter 3 - Birding with Geography
Chapter 4 - Birding and Weather
Chapter 5 - Birding at Night
Chapter 6 - Birding with a Purpose
Chapter 7 - Vagrants
Chapter 8 - A New Jersey Case Study
Chapter 9 - Patch Listing
Ok, let's dig around for something I can truly say was interesting... umm..... ok, the author talks a bit about birding at night in Chapter 5, or more importantly, using NEXRAD doppler radar. This is a topic that has been in the spotlight for many years but it's not one you find in your average bird book. I fully agree with the author that more people should be familiar with it... and that's that.
There are a few photos here and there through the book with captions like "Exhausted and hungry, this Blackburnian Warbler found shelter under a birder on Monhegan Island, Maine, during a fallout. A Merlin is unlikely to hunt under people!" I won't lie, even though what was said is true, captions like this make me cringe on the inside. (Side note: ever notice how a lot of birders like pictures of themselves with their binoculars up to their face, seemingly wanting the reader to be amazed at the top-of-the-line bins they're lucky to be holding? Personally, I've noticed more and more of this phenomenon and sure enough, page 115 has the author doing just that. I won't spend too much time judging but I would like to encourage birders to be more creative, don't fall for the ploy that you have to be wearing a tan vest and have to pose with your bins just to be taken seriously. Although it's true that there ARE pictures of me out there with bins to my face, I was never aware they were being taken! Ok ok, it sounds like I have another blog topic brewing).
There is a delicate balance, I think, between trying to convince yourself (and others) that "hey, this is a great book" and straight-up admitting to yourself that "I don't like this thing". Maybe I can bypass it completely and simply say that I won't be recommending this book to friends. To be fair, I DO think this book could be tremendously helpful to some birdwatchers, perhaps beginners or some intermediates who are looking for a high-school-like lecture... but that's not me.
Disclaimer:
I received a complementary copy from the publisher for review purposes,
but the viewpoint expressed in this article is entirely my own.
