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The Ascent of Birds: How Modern Science is Revealing their Story
by John Reilly

From Pelagic Publishing:

When and where did the ancestors of modern birds evolve? What enabled them to survive the meteoric impact that wiped out the dinosaurs? How did these early birds spread across the globe and give rise to the 10,600-plus species we recognise today ― from the largest ratites to the smallest hummingbirds? Based on the latest scientific discoveries and enriched by personal observations, The Ascent of Birds sets out to answer these fundamental questions.

The Ascent of Birds is divided into self-contained chapters, or stories, that collectively encompass the evolution of modern birds from their origins in Gondwana, over 100 million years ago, to the present day. The stories are arranged in chronological order, from tinamous to tanagers, and describe the many dispersal and speciation events that underpin the world’s 10,600-plus species. Although each chapter is spearheaded by a named bird and focuses on a specific evolutionary mechanism, the narrative will often explore the relevance of such events and processes to evolution in general.

Ok, I’m a little behind, so this book isn’t exactly new anymore. But it’s certainly worth calling attention to. The book’s subtitle is revealing: this is a story, not some dry textbook. Anyone interested in birds will learn a great deal…and greatly enjoy this book. I have a strong feeling this will make my list of favorite books of 2018.

The Ascent of Birds: How Modern Science is Revealing their Story
by John Reilly
Hardcover; 363 pages
Pelagic Publishing; April, 2018
ISBN: 9781784271695
$33.99

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

A Naturalist at Large: The Best Essays of Bernd Heinrich
by Bernd Heinrich

From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:

From one of the finest scientist/writers of our time comes an engaging record of a life spent in close observation of the natural world, one that has yielded “marvelous, mind-altering” (Los Angeles Times) insight and discoveries. In essays that span several decades, Heinrich finds himself at home in Maine, where he plays host to visitors from Europe (the cluster flies) and more welcome guests from Asia (ladybugs); and as far away as Botswana, where he unravels the far-reaching ecological consequences of elephants’ bruising treatment of mopane trees. The many fascinating discoveries in Naturalist at Large include the maple sap harvesting habits of red squirrels, and the “instant” flower-opening in the yellow iris as a way of ensuring potent pollination. Heinrich turns to his great love, the ravens, some of them close companions for years, as he designs a unique experiment to tease out the fascinating parameters of raven intelligence. Finally, he asks “Where does a biologist find hope?” while delivering an answer that informs and inspires.

These 35 essays have been selected from among the many that this prolific writer has produced for magazines, most notably Natural History. If you’re not familiar with the educational, inspiring, and, most of all, incredibly charming writing of Heinrich, this collection would make a fabulous introduction. And if you are, then you already know what kind of treat is in store.

A Naturalist at Large: The Best Essays of Bernd Heinrich
by Bernd Heinrich
Hardcover; 304 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; May 8, 2018
ISBN: 9780544986831
$26.00

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

Birds of Prey of the East: A Field Guide
Birds of Prey of the West: A Field Guide
by Brian K. Wheeler

From Princeton University Press:

Birds of Prey of the East and its companion volume, Birds of Prey of the West, are the most comprehensive and authoritative field guides to North American birds of prey ever published. Written and lavishly illustrated with stunning, lifelike paintings by leading field-guide illustrator, photographer, and author Brian Wheeler, the guides depict an enormous range of variations of age, sex, color, and plumage, and feature a significant amount of plumage data that has never been published before. The painted figures illustrate plumage and species comparisons in a classic field-guide layout. Each species is shown in the same posture and from the same viewpoint, which further assists comparisons. Facing-page text includes quick-reference identification points and brief natural history accounts that incorporate the latest information. The range maps are exceptionally accurate and much larger than those in other guides. They plot the most up-to-date distribution information for each species and include the location of cities for more accurate reference. Finally, the guides feature color habitat photographs next to the maps. The result sets a new standard for guides to North America’s birds of prey.

• Lavishly illustrated with stunning, lifelike paintings
• Written and illustrated by a leading authority on North American birds of prey
• Depicts more plumages than any other guide
• Concise facing-page text includes quick-reference identification points
• Classic field-guide layout makes comparing species easy
• Large, accurate range maps include up-to-date distribution information
• Unique color habitat photographs next to the maps

Wheeler’s first pair of raptor guides were published “way back” in 2003. They remained the most comprehensive visual reference to these birds until now. Wheeler’s new guides contain many of the same features, but also have some fundamental differences: they use paintings instead of photographs; and they are smaller, which means less text but better portability. This pair provides the most comprehensive identification reference to North American raptors currently available.

Birds of Prey of the East: A Field Guide & Birds of Prey of the West: A Field Guide
by Brian K. Wheeler
Flexibound; 296 (east) / 360 (west) pages
Princeton University Press; June 19, 2012
ISBN: 9780691117065 (east) / 9780691117188 (west)
$27.95 each

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

Buy from NHBS
(based in the U.K.)

The Wonderful Mr Willughby: The First True Ornithologist
by Tim Birkhead

From Bloomsbury Publishing:

Francis Willughby lived and thrived in the midst of the rapidly accelerating scientific revolution of the seventeenth century. Traveling with his Cambridge tutor John Ray, they decided to overhaul the whole of natural history by imposing order on its messiness and complexity. It was exhilarating, exacting, and exhausting work. Yet before their first book, Ornithology, could be completed, Willughby died in 1672. Since then, Ray’s reputation has grown, obscuring that of his collaborator. Now, for the first time, Willughby’s story and genius are given the attention they deserve.

In his too-short life, Francis Willughby helped found the Royal Society, differentiated birds through identification of their distinguishing features, and asked questions that were, in some cases, centuries ahead of their time. His discoveries and his approach to his work continue to be relevant–and revelatory–oday. Tim Birkhead describes and celebrates how Willughby’s endeavors set a standard for the way birds–and indeed the whole of natural history–should be studied. Rich with glorious detail, The Wonderful Mr Willughby is at once a fascinating insight into a thrilling period of scientific history and an authoritative, lively biography of one of its legendary pioneers.

The first book by Tim Birkhead that I read was The Wisdom of Birds. It was an amazing, enjoyable trip through the history of ornithology. And it was also the first time that I had heard of Francis Willughby. Now, Birkhead focuses on Willughby for this biography. If it’s even half as good as Wisdom, this will be a book well worth reading.

The Wonderful Mr Willughby: The First True Ornithologist
by Tim Birkhead
Hardcover; 368 pages
Bloomsbury Publishing; July 10, 2018
ISBN: 9781408878484
$27.00

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(based in the U.S.)

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(based in the U.K.)

Seymaz
by Jonathan Guillot

From Jonathan Guillot Photography:

The Seymaz river has its source in Rouelbeau and, crossing seven towns, flows into the Arve fifteen kilometers further. It is the only river to have its course entirely in the Canton of Geneva. The Seymaz passes at the end of my garden. Every day I am captivated by its singular beauty. No need to go to the end of the world to see natural wonders. Everything is already there.

If we run along the Seymaz, eyes on the ground, we will not see much, it’s true, probably believing that nothing happens. Sit by its side for an hour or two, and a whole new world is revealed to you. You just need to look. Just open your eyes and give yourself time to start seeing.

This photography book celebrates the birds of a little Swiss river called Seymaz. Honestly, I had never heard of this river, but just check out these photographs (that White-throated Dipper is exquisite)!!

Seymaz
by Jonathan Guillot
Paperback; 144 pages
Simon Graphic; June, 2018
49 CHF

The Guide to Walden Pond: An Exploration of the History, Nature, Landscape, and Literature of One of America’s Most Iconic Places
by Robert M. Thorson

From Houghton Mifflin Harcourt:

This is the first guidebook to Henry David Thoreau’s most defining place, visited by half a million people each year and widely known as the fountainhead of America’s environmental consciousness.

Using this guide, both armchair readers and trail-walkers alike can amble around the pond’s shoreline, pausing at fifteen special places to learn about people, historic events, and the natural world. Thoreau will be a constant companion via quotes from Walden. Stop by stop, the place of his book will merge with the book of his place.

Abundantly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and maps, this guide is a must-have for a meaningful, engaging tour of Walden Pond as well as a souvenir of a visit.

We’ve all heard of it. Many have read about it. Who among us wouldn’t want to visit Walden Pond? Even so, I must admit that it probably wouldn’t have made my list of sites to see in my next visit to New England. Until, that is, this book. It will help the visitor with logistics, of course, but more than that will explain the history – both natural and literary – and significance of the site.

The Guide to Walden Pond: An Exploration of the History, Nature, Landscape, and Literature of One of America’s Most Iconic Places
by Robert M. Thorson
Paperback; 272 pages
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; March 13, 2018
ISBN: 9781328969217
$16.99

BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show
by BirdNote; edited by Ellen Blackstone

From Sasquatch Books:

Here are the best stories about our avian friends from the public radio show BirdNote, each brief essay illuminating the life, habits, or songs of a particular bird. Why do geese fly in a V-formation? Why are worms so good for you–if you’re a robin? Which bird calls, “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you-all?” From wrens that nest in cactuses to gulls that have a strange red dot on their bills–these digestible and fascinating bird stories are a delightful window to the winged world. A foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and an introduction by Gordon Orians, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Washington, are also included.

BirdNote is a program available on public radio or as a podcast. Each episode is short – two minutes long – and delightfully educational. One hundred of these episodes have been collected into this small, nicely bound volume. You lose the bird sounds that accompany the audio programs, but you gain a large, attractive illustration of a bird with every story here. They may be short, but each entry is packed with interesting stuff. Well-read birders likely know most of it, but for everyone else this would make a great introduction to the world of birds.

BirdNote: Chirps, Quirks, and Stories of 100 Birds from the Popular Public Radio Show
by BirdNote; edited by Ellen Blackstone
Hardcover; 224 pages
Sasquatch Books; March 20, 2018
ISBN: 9781632171696
$22.95