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Christmas Gifts for Birders 2001
Again this year, I'd like to suggest a few gifts that are appropriate for our members and friends. THANK YOU to members of the TEXBIRDS and SATXbirds mailing lists who helped! [See last year's gift list here.]
I would be remiss to begin with anything but a membership in your favorite birding and/or conservation organization. [A particularly nice gesture would be a Life Membership in SAAS.]
Two-way (or FRS) Radios -- What we used to call a "walkie-talkie" has come a long way! Variables include frequencies, range, and features, prices from $30 to $250, these are perfect for birding field trips, and are also great for hikers, kids (especially at theme parks), farmers and ranchers, hunters, and even shoppers. Online guide and reviews at Gear Review, and users' opinions and helpful tips at Epinions and Consumer Search.
Compact Umbrella -- Carolyn Cuthbertson recommends one from Magellan's that is so small and light it can travel easily in purse, pocket, or glove compartment, for about $20.
Feeding Helpers -- 1) Premade birdseed bells, ornaments, wreaths, or bird houses (good way to start watching birds), 2) Thistle Socks, either prefilled or the sock with a jug of thistle seed, 3) a big plastic scoop for bird seed, 4) Garden Clogs -- great for bird feeder runs to the back yard! Rubber or plastic, they rinse clean and come in lots of colors and sizes.
Bird song CD's -- "Bird Songs of the Rio Grande Valley & Southwest Texas," "National Geographic Guide to Bird Songs CD," Peterson's Field Guides' "Birding By Ear: Eastern/Central or Western Bird Songs," "Warblers of North America." The Birdsong IdentiFlyer is an electronic handheld device with slide-in cards that allows the user to hear the songs of common backyard birds. It costs about $40 and comes with two cards (each card holds 10 birds), other cards are sold separately.
Bird Screen Savers -- 1) Photographer Charles W. Melton's Hummingbird Screen Saver is one that birders enjoy, $15. 2) Azure Bay (801-221-0026) has a great selection of screensavers for Windows or Mac for $9.95. Each contains 33 full-color photos or paintings and a calendar, included Hummingbirds, Songbirds, Butterflies, and many more topics.
Wireless Weather Center -- These are available in all price ranges, starting with simple indoor and outdoor temperatures, and adding barometer, weather condition, forcast, and more features as the price goes up.
Birding Videos -- "Audubon Society VideoGuide to the Birds of North America" (5 volumes, $20 to $30 each), "Basics of Bird Photography" from Rue Video ($30). The North American Bluebird Society's online store has a very good selection.
Birding Books -- Georgina recommends Roland Wauer's wonderful Big Bend Journal "For all Seasons." "Especially if one has ever been to the Big Bend National Park, this book is great reading. In almost-daily entries, It makes sense of the comings and goings in the Park. Nancy McGowan's shaded drawings and a few black and white photographs add interest to the pages," University of Texas Press, PO Box 7819, Austin TX 78713 or your bookseller. Also, see last month's newsletter for a few new birding book releases.
Butterfly Watching -- 'Bbobolinkk' suggests that with all the interest in butterflies lately, birders would do well to extend their hobby to include them. Identification guides and close-focus binoculars are high on the list. [Don't forget Dragonflies!]
Birding Field Kit -- Ruth Wiebelt suggests all the little things one needs in the field: mosquito netting to go over your head under a hat, a tube of insect repellent, a small bottle of sunscreen, a small square of chamois (to clean lenses), a First-aid kit, a two-cup water bottle (flat if possible), and a small fanny pack ("you can get leather ones in Nuevo Progresso, N. Tam., MX, very inexpensively"). Ruth adds that "you won't lock your keys in car if you have an extra key in the fanny pack -- been there, done that."
Non-disappearing Pen -- What Sue Levy wants: "A little thingy that makes it impossible for the pen you are using while birding to land under the seat of your car--underneath fifteen field guides, a cell phone, a water bottle and snacks on the passenger seat, down in the space between the seat and the door, etc. It's hard to list birds or make field notes when the pen is as elusive as the bird." Pens on cords that go around your neck can be found at office supply stores.
Birding with Kids -- Patricia Jakobi says there are many wonderful gifts for young birders or for birders with children or grandchildren, including books (not only on birds but butterflies, bugs, snakes, etc.), finger puppets, pull toys, and kits to make bird houses, feeders, and baths -- great weekend projects for children of all ages.
~Janice McClintock
A FEW SOURCES
LOCAL stores specializing in birding and nature:
Other sources for gifts listed above:
San Antonio Audubon Society, 5150 Broadway
#257, San Antonio, TX 78209-5710, (210)
308-6788, E-mail
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