| If you thought you knew Massachusetts birding but haven't
ventured west of Mount Wachusett, this book can teach you a few lessons.
It covers the diverse habitats from western Worcester county to the New
York border. Eighty-three articles with 219 locations are described by
the people who know them best, the people who live there. Fifty-two local
birders collaborated to produce this definitive guide to the best places
to find birds in Western Massachusetts.
The mountains of Berkshire County in western Massachusetts have the
highest elevation in the state at 3,491', and are home to a number of northern
breeding species, such as Olive-sided Flycatcher, Blackpoll and Mourning
Warblers, and Swainson's Thrush. |
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Stunning illustrations
by Andrew Magee |
The agricultural plains and neighboring wooded hills of
the Connecticut River Valley represent a highway for migratory songbirds
in spring and fall. In late August, hundreds of migrating Common Nighthawks
can often be seen hunting flying ants at dusk. In September and October
uncountable numbers of sparrows line the rows of dying farm crops, scattering
from your feet in flocks as you walk the edges of these fields.
At Quabbin Reservoir in breeding season look for Common Loons, Acadian
Flycatchers, and Cerulean Warblers. The greatest draw at Quabbin, however,
are the Bald Eagles, with several breeding pairs and impressive numbers
of over-wintering birds. In western Worcester County, Royalston is magic
for winter finches, and sometimes Bohemian Waxwings, and in summer along
the quiet Quaboag River look for rails and other marsh birds. |
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The back cover opens to show the coded color map: B for
Berkshire County, C the Connecticut River Valley, Q for Quabbin, W for
western Worcester County.
Detailed black-and-white maps by Mary Alice and Bill Wilson make navigation
from site to site easy, even for the directionally challenged. |
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The Guide is filled with invaluable information:
Breeding birds: Why are they different from Eastern Massachusetts?
Read our introduction.
Conservation Resources: land trusts and public lands, clubs,
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Bar Charts show the abundance (or lack thereof) of every species
routinely seen, week-by-week.
Species Accounts: Footnotes to the bar graphs give information on
local specialties and rarities.
Helpful Hints: Rare bird alerts, warnings and suggestions, code
of ethics.
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Whether you are a beginning birder or an expert, whether you choose
casual walks, strenuous hikes, birding from your car, or backwater canoeing,
this book takes you from city to hilltown as you sample the region's diverse
habitats and rich bird life.
Andrew
Magee's original illustrations will go on sale June 16, with
50% of the proceeds going to The
Kestrel Trust which helped sponsor the book. For details, contact Susan
Benoit at 413-695-3468. |
Orders will be shipped
immediately from the UMass
Bookstore
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