num_pages: 288
description: One woman . . . one year . . . 723 species of birds. . . In 2008 Lynn Barber's passion for birding led her to drive fly sail walk stalk and sit in search of birds in twenty-five states and three provinces. Traveling more than 175000 miles she set a twenty-first century record at the time second to only one other person in history. Over 272 days Barber observed 723 species of birds in North America north of Mexico recording a remarkable 333 new species in January but with the dwindling returns typical to Big Year birding only eight in December a month that found her crisscrossing the continent from Texas to Newfoundland from Washington to Ontario. In the months between she felt every extreme of climate well-being and emotion. But whether finally spotting an elusive Blue Bunting or seeing three species of eiders in a single day she was also challenged inspired and rewarded by nearly every experience. Barber's journal from her American Birding Association-sanctioned Big Year covers the highlights of her treks to forests canyons mountain ranges deserts oceans lakes and numerous spots in between. Written in the informal style of a diary it captures the detail humor challenges and fun of a good adventure travelogue and also conveys the remarkable diversity of North American birds and habitat. For actual or would-be travel birders Lynn Barbers Extreme Birder provides a fascinating binoculars-eye view of one of the best-loved pastimes of nature lovers everywhere.Lynn Barber challenges a traditionally male-dominated pursuit--the birding big year--and is successful beyond her wildest dreams. She is an inspiration for all who love adventure nature and birds.--Lynn Hassler author Birds of the American Southwest
language: English
title: Extreme Birder: One Woman's Big Year
publisher: Texas A&M University Press