My old Peterson "A Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies," 4th ed.,
Roger Tory Peterson, 1980 has the arrows highlighting field marks. ISBN
9-395-26619-X for the paperback. Check for used copies on Amazon.com or
addall.com/used as well as other possible sources.
Trying to return to on-topic bird sightings in Virginia, not that it's real
exciting or anything, but it seems to me that I have been seeing unusually
early and large concentrations of American Robins in the woods at Long Branch
Nature Center in Arlington, beginning roughly 3-4 weeks ago. I've wondered
whether
this is just a local quirk or whether there is a broader pattern perhaps
related to the unusual weather cycle we've had this year. Anyone else noticed
this? Cheers,
Steve Young
Arlington
In a message dated 7/15/2006 9:30:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
tomlyn@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
Steve, I have to agree with you about the Sibley's. That is partly the reason
I got the imm. Bald Eagle ID wrong. Someone mentioned an Audubon book that
had arrows pointing to the differences in similar birds. Maybe someone out
there
could let us know which version that is? I have an old Audubon Handbook from
1988 that I just dug out (grey vinyl cover) that has field marks and similar
species descriptions, but no arrows. They are photographs, which I prefer over
drawings, but at my age, I need arrows :)
Thanks for asking the question, Steve
And thanks in advance for any answers..
BTW, we were at York River State Park last weekend and there is an Osprey
nest on a platform right behind the visitor's center with one chick in it. I
was
able to get some decent pictures of it but again, the 400mm lens doesn't have
quite enough reach.
http://www.pbase.com/tomlyn/raptors
For most of my visit, the parent called continuously, and kept it protected
from view. At one point some canoeists came by, and the adult flew a short
distance from the nest. The chick was so well camouflaged. it wasn't visible at
all. Mother Nature at work...
Have a great weekend
Lynda Blair
New Kent, VA
