Positioned along the major East Coast migratory flyway, New York City and the surrounding areas offer some of the finest birding opportunities in North America. More than 355 species have been sighted there. Tapping the expertise of 47 metropolitan birders, Marcia T. Fowle and Paul Kerlinger provide residents, tourists, and visiting birders with the information they need to make the most of the area's extraordinary birding sites.
The New York City Audubon Society Guide to Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area contains up-to-date descriptions of 40 birding sites within the metropolitan area, which includes the five boroughs of New York City and adjacent areas in New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester County. An additional section features 9 birding day-trips. Entries for each site include detailed maps, descriptions of the birds that can be seen, best season to visit, safety precautions, and public transportation.
This exciting new guide is notable for its
- rankings for the birding opportunities at each site during each season
- checklist of 355 bird species found in New York City
- information on site-specific conservation and ecology
- coverage of practical issues
- suggestions for day-trips, regional hawkwatches, and pelagic birding trips
- birding resources, web sites, hotlines, and suggested reading for novices and experts
"Not every 'birding' enthusiast in New York City has the environmental lawyer's apparent laser vision, or his obvious familiarity with every rock and rill of the 840-acre park. But they now can turn to The New York City Audubon Society Guide to Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area, a 220-page book that lists the more than 330 species seen in the metropolitan area [...] and where to find them in the city."
– Richard Pyle, Associated Press
"Beyond pigeons. That's how Marcia T. Fowle would like New Yorkers to think about birds. She has a point. You may not be aware [...] that of the roughly 600 species of birds native to the United States, more than half [...] spend at least part of the year in New York City [...] The aptly names Ms. Fowle know all this, and a lot more, because she is the co-author of The New York City Audubon Society Guide to Finding Birds in the Metropolitan Area.."
– John Kifner, The New York Times, May 17, 2001
"Up-to-date and detailed [...] This book thoroughly covers every nook and cranny in the metropolitan area and beyond [...] The 256-page paperback [...] exudes the energy of people who really love birding, in its attention to detail, breadth, and unpretentious approach."
– Lauren Pera, New York City Audubon Society Newsletter, Vol. XXII, No. 4, May 2001
"Fowle and Kerlinger provide a comprehensive and clear guide to birdwatching in New York City [...] There is a very thorough index of birds in New York City and its surrounding areas."
– John Pobedinsky, Central New York Environment, August/September 2001
"If you are a visitor to The Big Apple and want to know where and when to find raptors in Manhattan, warblers inBrooklyn, or shorebirds in Queens; or if you are a resident looking for a birding day-trip outside of the city, you should add this outstanding resource to your birding library. I look forward to eventually exploring every location in the book."
– Rob Jett, Birding, December 2001
"New York City is, among other things, the center of a fantastic birding region. This superb new guide will help everyone, residents and visitors alike, to find and enjoy the exciting birds in and around the metropolitan area. Highly recommended!"
– Kenn Kaufman, author of Focus Guide to the Birds of North America
"A wonderful birding guide for New York City and spots nearby. A treasure house of facts, advice and lore. As a Manhattan birder, I couldn't help notice that many of our secrets are revealed. All the basics are here, as well as hundreds of little pieces of information that I have never seen printed before about where species reside, and about weather, wind and migration patterns. For the visiting birder this guide is indispensable. I also hope many tourists will pick up the book in order to experience a different New York; one seen through the eyes of winged creatures and their friends."
– Margot Adler, National Public Radio
"This is the guide for anyone interested in the bird wealth of New York City. This book and a subway token will take you anywhere you want to go!"
– Pete Dunne, Cape May Bird Observatory