Christmas Gifts for Birders, 2003
Another holiday season means another opportunity to give
or receive gifts for birders. Here are this years’ choices as suggested
by club members. Don’t forget to circle the ones you like and leave
this list in a conspicuous spot!
Obviously, a membership in San Antonio Audubon Society or another worthy
conservation organization would be a great gift, and don’t forget
that ordering Bird Watcher’s Digest or Backyard Bird subscriptions
from our web site (or using the paper form) earns money for our club!
For your PC, Thayer’s “Birds of Texas” software includes
439 species regularly seen in the state. This Windows CD-ROM includes color
photos, songs for all species, range maps, abundance maps, an ID wizard,
quizzes, and more. This subset of the North American CD can be upgraded
to the full version later. Highly recommended by several members. Available
at local nature stores for $30, <www.thayerbirding.com>
Quite a few books were suggested this year, including Mark Adam’s “Chasing
Birds Across Texas: A Birding Big Year” from the previous page, and:
•
Greg says “The Life History of a Texas Birdwatcher: Connie Hagar
of Rockport” is a great read. It’s by Karen Harden McCracken
(Texas A&M University Press ), ISBN: 1585441643.
•
Georgina suggests June Osborne’s “Birder’s Guide to Concan,
Texas--—and Surrounding Area.” Updated and improved. Distributed
by June Osborne <JOBirder @ aol.com> 254-772-0728, Waco, TX
•
Janice is particularly impressed with the new Smithsonian Handbooks’ “Birds
of Texas” guide by Fred J. Alsop III, which includes one species
per page and excellent behavior, habitat, and identification tips. Definitely
worth a look. (DK Publishing, 2002) $23; ISBN 0789483882.
Leslie told me about the new “NWF Handheld Guide to Birds,” a
set of great-looking multimedia birding field guides (by state) for Palm
OS 5 handheld computers. She says, “I don’t have a PDA, but
this might be my excuse to get one!” Check it out at <http://shop.enature.com/>.
Starting at $3.99.
This
gorgeous Birds of Prey t-shirt (above) by Atlas Screen Printing is offered
by The Peregrine Fund (a good cause) and includes detailed illustrations
of
an
Osprey, Red-tailed hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, and Peregrine Falcons on
a 100-percent cotton slate blue shirt. 1-800-780-9986 or <http://shop.peregrinefund.org/>;
$18.
In the cute-as-heck-but-not-exactly-useful category, the Audubon Birds
by Wild Republic, a “collection of original realistic plush beanbag
birds with authentic sounds.” They’re irresistible, really,
and once you squeeze one to get the sound, you’ll have to try them
all! Available at local birding stores for about $6 each. <www.wildrepublic.com/>
And since birder safety is always important, Georgina suggests a digital
tire gauge— “one that actually works.” Other than the
local auto parts stores, there are quite a few to choose from at <www.getagauge.com/>,
including one that talks to you!
Last, but far from least, a limited, numbered, and signed 18-by-24-inch
poster painted by member Mike F. Creese titled “Birds of South Central
Texas” for $50. He’ll give $5 to the SAAS for each one sold. <mfcreese
@ att.net> or
210-979-9327.
