Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront

by Heather Wolf, David Lindo (Foreword by)

Overview

“Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography.”—The New Yorker

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781615193134
Publisher:	The Experiment
Publication date:	06/14/2016
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,095,389
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 6.20(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Heather Wolf’s love of birds was sparked while living on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where she participated in the Florida Master Naturalist program and led walks for the Florida Trail Association. She currently lives in Brooklyn and works as a web developer for Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its eBird project. Her blog, brooklynbridgebirds.com, documents the birds of Brooklyn Bridge Park, where she has recorded over 30,000 bird sightings of more than 130 species. A woman of many passions, Heather has taught thousands of people to juggle and won the 2015 NYC Intel IoT (Internet of Things) Hackathon for her design of a “smart” juggling ball. She is the author of Birding at the Bridge and 103 Ways to Find Birds.

Editorial Reviews

Where you may see only pigeons, sparrows and the occasional sea gull, [Wolf] has recorded 130 species, many of which she has beautifully photographed.

The New York Times - Sam Roberts

05/23/2016
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. (June)

Publishers Weekly

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

“In clear and enthusiastic prose, Wolf draws attention to the remarkable variety of urban birds and their ongoing conservation challenges. . . . This beginner’s guide is as entertaining as it is informative.”—Publishers Weekly

“Exquisite.”—am New York

“An informative field diary”—The Atlantic’s CityLab

“Partly a bird guide, partly a memoir, and partly a triumph of nature photography.”—The New Yorker

“I totally love Heather Wolf’s book: great photographs, and delightful, incisive writing.”
—Marie Winn, author of Red-Tails in Love
 
“Hey, New York, it’s time to meet the neighbors you never knew you had. Heather Wolf’s fledgling chronicle of her encounters with the birds of Brooklyn both surprises and mesmerizes. After drinking in her gorgeous photos of more than 100 unsung and unexpected urban species (from abundant house sparrows to an elusive tundra swan and the proverbial yellow-bellied sapsucker), you will forever observe the city with new eyes.”
—Margaret Mittelbach, author of Wild New York
 
“Not all New York City birds are pigeons! This book is a colorful and inspiring eye-opener to the marvelous feathered creatures that are all around us, even in the midst of our densest cities. By learning to observe and care for the birds, we can protect them and build stronger communities for ourselves too.”
—David J. Ringer, Chief Network Officer, National Audubon Society
 
“Research tells us that connecting with the natural world in our daily lives can help to make us happier, more creative, and less anxious. Heather Wolf’s gorgeous images and delightful words are a reminder that the wild surrounds us no matter where we make our homes. This book inspires us to step lightly, with open eyes, minds, and hearts. We will benefit from such exploration to be sure, and so will the birds and all creatures that share our neighborhoods and our earth.”
—Lyanda Haupt, author of Crow Planet

From the Publisher