IOANA SERITAN
Associate Editor, Birding magazine
Welcome to Birding Online! From this page, all ABA members can access the extended online content from the June 2018 issue of Birding magazine. The complete issue, containing both print and online content, can be found at:
aba.org/birding-magazine-june-2018
This issue is completely unique. For the very first time, Birding has not one cover, but three. Which one did you receive? You may have opened your mailbox to find an American Kestrel, Bald Eagle, or Barn Owl looking back at you.
All three covers feature gorgeous raptor images from Jerry Liguori. Inside the magazine, you’ll find more from Jerry Liguori. Noah Strycker interviews the legendary raptor expert for the Birding Interview. A Photo Salon features many of his beautiful photographs. (My personal favorite is the Gyrfalcon. I’ve never seen one – maybe one day!) And that’s not all. You can also enjoy an interview with Jerry Liguori on Nate Swick’s American Birding Podcast by clicking here.
I have to admit I haven’t had the privilege to read any of Jerry Liguori’s books, yet. It looks like I will have to. Throughout the publication process of the June issue, my colleagues and friends at the ABA have had nothing but compliments for Jerry. It seems he has dedicated his life to loving raptors, and teaching others about how to love raptors. I can absolutely respect that. Thank you, Jerry, for all of your contributions to this magazine, and for all of your contributions to this community. I look forward to listening to your feature on the podcast, and getting my hands on some of your books!
If you would like to receive all three covers, one way is to consider this year’s Nesting Season Appeal.
Every year, the Nesting Season Appeal strives to raise money for the ABA’s young birder programs. As a graduate of those young birder programs, I can tell you that this is absolutely a worthy cause. When I went to Camp Colorado, it was my very first time birding with other bird-lovers my own age. My very first time! The trips were amazing, the counselors and helpers were kind and supportive, and the experience was unforgettable. I even got to hold wild birds at a bird banding demonstration. I will always be thankful that the camp existed, and that I was able to attend. I plan on donating. Help me support the next generation of young birders—the Nesting Season Appeal is the perfect way to contribute. If you donate more than $75, there is a lovely perk – you can receive all three Jerry Liguori covers.
Back to the issue – there is more for members to enjoy online. The Book Reviews in the issue are short and sweet. The reviews online are long and sweet, instead. You can flip straight to the Book Reviews in the online issue by clicking here. Peter Adriaens and Amar Ayyash review Gulls of the World: A Photographic Guide by Klaus Malling Olsen. You can also find their review on the ABA Blog by clicking here. David Liebmann reviews Noah Strycker’s Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World. You can click here to find it on the ABA Blog. Finally, Laura Kammermier reviews One More Warbler: A Life With Birds by Victor Emanuel with S. Kirk Walsh. Click here for the ABA Blog.
Nick Minor brings us more News & Notes, as well. In the issue itself, you can read his descriptions of recent research on birdsong, and the effects of climate change on birds in the Adirondack. Online, Nick Minor delves into some of the largest corvids in North America. You can click here to read “A Brief History of North America’s Three Raven Species.”
Last, but not least, we’ve got an electrifying Photo Quiz for you this time. Frank Izaguirre saw this “electric blue” Cattle Egret in Texas.
January 29, 2018. Beaumont, Texas. Photo by © Frank Izaguirre.
What do you think? Is this a rare morph? An accident with some sort of dye? You can read Frank’s analysis in the issue by clicking here. Or, join the conversation on the ABA Blog!
I hope you enjoy this issue, and all three covers. Please feel free to explore the online issue yourself! If you click here, you’ll find yourself at the Table of Contents. Click around to find your own favorite part, and tell us about it below.
