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Patrick Vecchio, the editor of The Times Herald, writes:
Jeffrey Reed of Hinsdale, who is the Times Herald's birding columnist, has written a book that's worth reading, even if you're not a birder. The book, "Where to Find Birds in Cattaraugus County, New York," is subtitled "27 Sites from Allegany State Park to Zoar Valley." Like Jeff's columns, it's easy to read, interesting, and informative. At $9.95 it's easy on the wallet, too. Jeff's book is not so much about birds as it is about the county's best places to go to see them. Its 104 pages may inspire birders and non-birders alike to visit places like Zoar Valley, the Deer Lick Nature Sanctuary, Little Rock City State Forest or the Pfeiffer Nature Center. If you don't know where all those places are, the book provides maps and clear directions, along with a brief description of each site: "The East Otto State Forest is a medium-sized state forest with good access roads, but its similarity to other state forests ends there. Among its gently rolling hills are marshy potholes |
that make this area unique among state forests in Cattaraugus County."
Each description tells birders about the best time to visit. For instance, Cricks Run in Allegany State Park is "best" in May and June and "good" from April through August. The descriptions also contain details about what to expect: "Cricks Run has a reputation for warblers that is legendary among local birders. Over 30 species of vireo and warbler nest or migrate through Cattaraugus County and Cricks Run is a good place to try to find them. But with the habitat constantly changing, species also change. In the late 1980s, Golden-winged Warbler was here. Today, Blue-winged Warbler is here, and "Lawrence's" Warbler was here from 1994-1998." The book is not a field guide; that is, if you see a mystery bird, this book won't help you figure out what it is. But, "Where to Find Birds in Cattaraugus County" answers the "where to go?" question for birders, who have no shortage of choices of field guides to answer the "what's that?" question. |
Much of the information in Jeff's book is practical stuff you won't find anywhere else.
For example, describing the Conewango Valley area, he warns, "Use extreme caution on these roads, since there are blind curves and blind grades, and the Amish travel these roads regularly in black horse-drawn buggies." It's also filled with historical tidbits, like this note from the Bush Hill State Forest: "Continuing along the Forest Road, there is a 'waterhole' on the left at 1.5 miles that was built for fire prevention in the 1930s." Appendices include a list of pertinent telephone numbers (the Buffalo Audubon Society, for instance), a list of birding points of interest neat Cattaraugus County, and a chart that indicates bird-sighting probabilities. Photos and sketches are scattered throughout the book. Given the books price and its contents, it would make a great holiday gift for the outdoors-loving person on your gift list. |