by Brett M. Ewald
Monhegan Island, a small bump of land 12 nautical miles off Mid-coast Maine, is famous as an inspiring tourist and artist destination, and historically as the “cradle of New England.” It is legendary for its charming setting, stunning headlands, peaceful forest trails and the abundance, diversity and rarity of its birds.
The Birds of Monhegan is a record of the amazing 336 species of birds that have been recorded on Monhegan and its surrounding islets and waters, dating back to the earliest known observations in 1605. It lays out in detail the status, abundance, seasonality, historical occurrences and locality, with notes on migration, breeding, subspecies, banding and more.
It also presents the history of birding on the island, highlighting the contributions of the many observers and research studies conducted, and discusses the habitats and weather that affect the presence of birds. Importantly, for visitors, it contains descriptions and maps of the notable birding locations, how to make the most of your visit, and an annotated checklist.
Throughout its pages are over 250 photos, all taken right on Monhegan, showcasing its birds, history and landscapes.
So, whether you’re planning your first or fiftieth trip to the island, this book is your guide to the magic of birding on Monhegan.
“Just as Monhegan is the birding lodestar of the Maine coast, Brett Ewald’s Birds Of Monhegan is the must-have resource for birders visiting this remarkable and avian-rich island. Densely informative and beautifully illustrated, it’s an instant classic.”
Scott Weidensaul, author of A World On The Wing
“I love this book! Thumbing through its pages is almost like being on Monhegan – you can enjoy the famed island’s scenery and birds by scanning the innumerable photos, explore its rich natural history, and for the avid bird enthusiast, spend delightful hours perusing the archive of avian records by a who’s who of birders from Maine and across the nation.”
Jeff Wells, Maine ornithologist, author, and Vice-president of Boreal Conservation for the National Audubon Society
About the Author
Brett Ewald has been studying and enjoying birds and nature for over 40 years, specializing in migration and distribution patterns. He spent ten years conducting migration research for Braddock Bay Raptor Research along the shores of Lake Ontario, including directing the Hamlin Beach Lakewatch and co-authoring a monograph on waterbird movements. He was the guide and owner of Lakeshore Nature Tours, sharing the joys of birding at premier locations throughout North America including, of course, Monhegan Island. Brett is currently the Director of New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Bird Observatory and shares his favorite moments with his wife, Sheryl, and Neah Bay, a Treeing Walker Coonhound.
$48.95