New ID Guide

You know you're really into birding when you read a 500+ page bird identification book page by page.

Now, granted, I don't think I'd do that with most field guides. But I have been benefiting greatly from a new guide released earlier this month. It is the Crossley ID Guide, written by Richard Crossley, a Brit who lives in Cape May (two more reasons to like the book). I actually got to hear him speak about a month ago, when he shared his life story and the reasons why he put together this book and thinks that it is significantly different from the loads of other id guides out there. I have to agree with him: it is different, and I think it really does have great potential to increase your ability to identify a bird. 

The reason I think that is this guide really gives you a better feel for the typical habitats where birds are found. If you were to take a typical field guide (say Sibley or Peterson) into the field trying to find a Horned Lark, it wouldn't be much help in terms of where to look. But one glance at Crossley's guide and you get a sense of the places Horned Larks hang out. You probably also get an idea of what a Horned Lark looks like at a distance, in flight, and in multiple plumages. The most interesting thing is you get all of this combine on one page, in one conglomerate photo.

This guide may not be the prettiest, but there is much to be learned, especially for the intermediate-advanced level birder.

Check it out!: Crossley ID Guide

By the way...I enjoyed seeing a Red-Breasted Nuthatch behind the Wild Bird Center where I work last week. Also saw my first Eastern Pheobe of the year yesterday (while sitting a friends deck table)