A Prairie Guide to Feeding Winter Birds

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

This book is guaranteed to turn a pleasant hobby into the experience of
a lifetime.

Waldon writes in a nontechnical, nonacademic way about his own
experiences and observations, making it apparent that he has found a
tremendous source of pleasure in backyard birding. His enthusiasm is
infectious, and it would be almost impossible to even scan this little
book without reaching for the birdseed.

Unlike most books on the subject, this work deals with the
“downside” of the hobby: Waldon not only admits that birdseed
attracts rats and mice, he presents a realistic plan for dealing with
these, and with other problems associated with attracting birds to the
yard.

A large section addresses those species likely to be found at a feeder
on the Canadian Prairies, giving for each a description,
characteristics, personality, range, and interesting trivia. The style
is refreshingly informal (who else would describe a bird as looking like
“a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice”?).

A fun addition to any serious birder’s bookshelf, and just the thing
to turn a nonbirder into a devotee.