Birding at the Bridge
In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
One woman shares her quest to document a stunning variety of birds found in Brooklyn Bridge Park in this wonderful guide for birders everywhere.
The Brooklyn Bridge once overshadowed a decaying industrial waterfront, but today it points the way to a new green oasis: Brooklyn Bridge Park. When avid birder Heather Wolf moved from tropical Florida to a nearby apartment, she wondered how many species she might see there, and soon came to a surprising realization: Not only is the park filled with an astonishing variety of birds, but the challenges that come with urban birding make them even more fun—and rewarding—to find.
Camera in hand, Heather has captured scores of memorable scenes—a European starling pokes its head out of a hole in a snack shop, a marsh wren straddles two branches, common grackle nestlings clamor for food above the basketball courts—in more than 150 stunning photographs that will entrance birders and bird lovers, wherever their local patch may be. From the familiar-but-striking bufflehead duck to the elusive mourning warbler, every species comes to life on the page, foraging, nesting, and soaring in the slice of the city where they’ve made themselves at home. Discover the thrilling adventure of birding in the great outdoors—in the heart of Brooklyn.
Praise for Birding at the Bridge
“Where you may see only pigeons, sparrows and the occasional sea gull, [Heather Wolf] has recorded 130 species, many of which she has beautifully photographed.” —The New York Times
“Part of the pleasure of her book, besides excellent photography . . . is the way [Heather Wolf] shares the circumstances and excitement of particular sightings.” —The Wall Street Journal
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In clear and enthusiastic prose, Wolf draws attention to the remarkable variety of urban birds and their ongoing conservation challenges. When Wolf moved from Florida's Gulf Coast to Brooklyn in 2012, she expected to encounter little more than pigeons and gulls. To her surprise, Brooklyn Bridge Park, which opened in 2010, was a birder's "ultimate urban escape" and a spring migration hot spot. She challenged herself to find and photograph 100 species in the park, and soon that list reached 134. Wolf shares her discoveries with others by hosting bird walks and submitting records of her sightings to the eBird app, and now with this attractive debut work. The book has two-page spreads for each featured species, including relevant facts and sighting details plus one or two color photographs. The most striking photos contrast wildlife with the urban setting: Brant geese passing in front of the Statue of Liberty, a common tern gliding above the skyline. With descriptions of birdsong and courtship rituals, this beginner's guide is as entertaining as it is informative. Color photos.
