Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them

With its dramatic range of habitats, from the beaches of the Atlantic to the wetlands of the Chesapeake Bay and the alpine forests of the Appalachians, the Mid-Atlantic region is home to 346 species of birds. For amateur and experienced birders alike, few areas offer so many opportunities to see such a rich variety of avian life. Four of America's top fifteen birding sites―Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania; Brigantine and Cape May, both in New Jersey; and Chincoteague, Virginia―can be found here, as can numerous other premier bird-watching destinations, including Assateague Island National Seashore, Shenandoah National Park, and the Great Dismal Swamp. A day's drive takes birders from West Virginia's cranberry bogs to Maryland's Swallow Falls or from Pennsylvania's Presque Isle to Delaware's Bombay Hook to see, for example, Bald Eagles, Hermit Thrushes, Northern Saw-whet Owls, and Chuck-will-widows.

Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them is the only comprehensive field guide to bird life in the area that also directs readers to public sites where each species can be found. Noted ornithologist John H. Rappole provides extensive information about every species: description, identification details for distinguishing similar species, habitat preference, vocalization, range, and Mid-Atlantic seasonal occurrence, abundance, and distribution. Each entry is accompanied by a color photograph, making identification easy for amateur bird watchers, and by a range of maps. A helpful guide to sites lists the best places to spot specific birds, from common species to rarities, and how to reach the sites by car. Birds of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Where to Find Them will appeal to dedicated bird watchers and curious commuters, lifelong residents and seasonal visitors alike, offering all a deeper understanding of the region's natural wonders.

John H. Rappole is a research scientist at the Smithsonian Institution's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia. His previous books include Birds of Texas (with Gene Blacklock), Neotropical Migratory Birds (with Dick DeGraff), Birds of the Southwest, and The Ecology of Migrant Birds.