The book focuses on species of interest by listing "specialty birds" and "other key birds" at the beginning of each location description. Specialty birds include uncommon to abundant birds found primarily in the western United States, endangered or threatened species, and rare birds if the site is among the best for the bird. The text describes when, where, and how to the find the birds at each site, and this information was personally verified by John during two years of fieldwork preparing the book. Range maps and bar charts at the back of the book are cross-referenced to the best sites for each species and the time of year when each species occurs in different regions of the state. Readers will appreciate the easily readable, detailed maps and the clearly written site descriptions. Novices, long-time California birders, and birders from out of state planning their first or 100th trip to the state, will find the information needed to find the birds of interest to them and to plan successful birding trips.

9 of 10 found the following review helpful:


A Wonderful Book to Plan For Bird Trips  Mar 01, 2006 By KM
This book was better than what I had expected. I am getting ready to order several more for birding friends. I was not under the impression that is was an identification guide when I first bought the book and it isn't. But, it does tell me what to study before I travel to the very descriptive destinations.

I cannot wait for the weekend to try birding in another area close to home.

Thank-you John Kemper for a thorough guide book.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Best birding guide I've seen  Mar 10, 2010 By J. Edwards
There are several characteristics that makes this birding guide great. One is the maps, including a northern CA map showing all 81 numbered birding sites, more detailed regional maps showing major roads and the numbered sites and maps for each individual locale showing local roads, bodies of water, trails and other landmarks. One chapter is devoted to the speciality birds. The information for each speciality bird includes a northern CA distribution map for both summer and winter and a compilation of key sites. Finally, site information includes NCA&G grids, hazards and nearest food, gas, lodging and camping options.

1 of 1 found the following review helpful:


Outstanding for the naturalist visiting the area  Dec 31, 2009 By D. J Stemke "Argo"
This book was right on the mark with its predictions. I was in the area in December while visiting family so my birding (ok, I like to call them 'Naturalist studies') had to be very targeted to get the most out of my time in the field. I went to 6 of the sites in the guide and found 90% of what I was looking for in-season. For example I went to Yosemite and on the way stopped at the San Luis Refuge Complex, focusing only on the Merced National Wildlife refuge as I had a car full of family who wanted to get to the mountains as fast as possible. There was a 5 mile drive around the refuge. Because I selected this area I found 5 of the 6 resident specilaity birds, 4/4 speciality winter birds, etc. The only interesting bird I saw not on the list was a Great Horned Owl. The maps were accurate even to difficult to find locations easy to get to. Some of the pointers worked too-like looking for Tricolored Black birds around feed lots.

No, its not an American Birding Association guide. But those guides are VERY expensive. This guide hit the mark and is an excellent reference if you really want to explore the area for it's potential.

And, no, its not a bird ID guide. Thank goodness I have enough of those refernces. This is exactly what I needed.

Thank you, Mr. Kemper, for your outstanding and affordable work.

2 of 3 found the following review helpful:


Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide  Jul 26, 2007 By Srinivasan Subbaraman
- Compliments to a Norcal birding field guide
Found it very handy
Areas to improve
- Verbose format could be improved and turned more concise (tables, possibly more thumbnails and less free text) with possibly better indexing of birds vs spots to find them.

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