Iowa Birds
by Ann Johnson, Jim Bangma, & Gregory Kennedy
A Beginner's Guide to the Birds of Iowa - available at your favorite bookstore
In 2004 friend Jim and I collaborated to complete a guide to
the birds of Iowa. This was published by
Lone Pine Publishing
of Edmonton, Alberta. This was really an interesting project to work on and
I often wondered how it would have ever been completed in pre-Internet days.
Jim was in New Jersey and Texas, I was in Iowa, and our editor split her time between
Alberta and Mexico.
The book covers 145 species either commonly seen or at
least worth a search. This is a nice number for casual and beginning birders
to learn and maybe catch the fever to learn even more. We also included a
short guide to seasonal birding as well as mention of some of the better birding
areas in the state.
Although Iowa isn't a very big market in the book publishing business, it seems
to be selling well. My favorite Barnes & Noble is always ordering more
so I guess that's a good sign!