Scan barcode
cdelduca's review
4.0
At the very least, this book has inspired me to actually watch bird behavior and attempt to understand why it's acting the way it is, and what that can tell me about the surrounding wildlife. It also offered some very helpful advice for how to act in order to show the birds (and everything else) that you are a biped that will respect their boundaries by reacting to their body language in a way that shows them you understand.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review against another edition
3.0
In some ways very accessible; for example how he uses his own real-life experiences to illustrate most (all?) of the things he is trying to explain, and providing drawings to show the different movements birds may make. In other ways this book was out of my league because I'm so new to bird watching - I only know 3 or 4 of the birds he talked about!
Even for a newbie like me there was good stuff to absorb, especially about one's conduct when moving through an environment. N and I have often complained that Germany seems to have a dearth of birds and mammals in her woods, but now that I've read about the bird plow I can see the truth of the matter. After reading the book I now understand the concept of bird language, and using the Appendix's practical suggestions I've formed a plan on how to proceed from here. I think that after making some progress on identifying bird calls I'll come back to this book, and I expect I'll find much more of the author's advice and observations useful and meaningful.
Even for a newbie like me there was good stuff to absorb, especially about one's conduct when moving through an environment. N and I have often complained that Germany seems to have a dearth of birds and mammals in her woods, but now that I've read about the bird plow I can see the truth of the matter. After reading the book I now understand the concept of bird language, and using the Appendix's practical suggestions I've formed a plan on how to proceed from here. I think that after making some progress on identifying bird calls I'll come back to this book, and I expect I'll find much more of the author's advice and observations useful and meaningful.
mark_lm's review against another edition
3.0
I learned many things about bird language. The Zen-like aspects of the author's philosophy and teaching methods may shake your self-possession. Has an associated web site with bird calls, etc.
cdisposti's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
baldingape's review against another edition
5.0
Even though the book is about watching different birds than we have here in the UK, it can still be instrumental.
The idea of the 'bird plow' had stuck with me since the first time I read this book in 2015. Since then, I have always stopped in my tracks when I have spotted a bird nearby, waiting for it to feed before passing through, or if I'm in a hurry trying to give it as wider a berth as possible and taking a slightly different route so as not to disturb the bird.
The other 'shapes' hadn't stuck with me as well in memory because they take more attuned attention to notice, I guess. It's not that I don't notice things, but I haven't ever put words to it or really known or even questioned what it really meant.
For this second time of reading, I think I possibly got more from it, feeling more invested in the idea of watching carefully and becoming more 'wild', I suppose.
Rereading it has brought up some frustrations I have with the UK though, I've been looking for a similar kind of book based in the UK, yet one doesn't seem to exist. This book was much more about attitude and how to hold yourself as a person and how to observe with more attuned attention than any of the 'field guides' the UK has on offer about tracking and such things.
In the UK, it seems to be big books with pictures of prints and ideas on how to find out what animals have been in your garden, rather than ways to see the animals in the flesh right in front of you.
While those ideas are interesting and can add to the learning, it's a book like this I'm looking for that is almost a lesson in how to go back to more instinctual ways of being with the world 'out there.' Though I admit, I'm a bit sceptical of instincts as science has taught us our instincts aren't all that brilliant at the best of times.
The idea of the 'bird plow' had stuck with me since the first time I read this book in 2015. Since then, I have always stopped in my tracks when I have spotted a bird nearby, waiting for it to feed before passing through, or if I'm in a hurry trying to give it as wider a berth as possible and taking a slightly different route so as not to disturb the bird.
The other 'shapes' hadn't stuck with me as well in memory because they take more attuned attention to notice, I guess. It's not that I don't notice things, but I haven't ever put words to it or really known or even questioned what it really meant.
For this second time of reading, I think I possibly got more from it, feeling more invested in the idea of watching carefully and becoming more 'wild', I suppose.
Rereading it has brought up some frustrations I have with the UK though, I've been looking for a similar kind of book based in the UK, yet one doesn't seem to exist. This book was much more about attitude and how to hold yourself as a person and how to observe with more attuned attention than any of the 'field guides' the UK has on offer about tracking and such things.
In the UK, it seems to be big books with pictures of prints and ideas on how to find out what animals have been in your garden, rather than ways to see the animals in the flesh right in front of you.
While those ideas are interesting and can add to the learning, it's a book like this I'm looking for that is almost a lesson in how to go back to more instinctual ways of being with the world 'out there.' Though I admit, I'm a bit sceptical of instincts as science has taught us our instincts aren't all that brilliant at the best of times.
sawyerbell's review against another edition
3.0
Packed with information about North American birds and what we can learn from them through quiet, daily observation. More suitable for dipping in and out of than reading straight through.
echinops's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent sojourn through an oft overlooked world of songbird vocalizations and their meanings.
suebie05's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I learned a lot and cannot wait to learn and grow while in my sit spot.