Prairie Water: Wildlife at Beaverhills Lake, Alberta

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Edgar T. Jones, one of Alberta’s most renowned naturalists and
photographers, and Dick Dekker, a well-known nature writer, have
produced a revised edition of their 1991 work. Beaverhills Lake is a
birdwatching site that has become world-famous because of the large
numbers of migratory birds that pass through the area.

Fourteen of the 24 chapters in this book discuss broad groups of birds
that can be observed at the lake. The introductory chapters describe the
geography of the area and the birding season, while the later chapters
discuss the fluctuations in the lake’s water level since 1991 and
their impact on habitat. Each of the chapters gives a locally flavored
description of the birds, including advice on the best times to see each
species, key identification features, and some behavioral information.
In addition to providing historical information about the numbers and
presence of certain species, Dekker comments on his personal experience
with the birds.

This very readable and informative book features excellent color
photographs. Although more comparative photographs of species that are
difficult to distinguish would have been useful, most birders who
purchase the book will probably also own a standard field guide. Prairie
Water will be of interest to regular birdwatchers at the lake as well as
visitors. Also recommended for academic libraries supporting programs in
ornithology and Canadian public libraries whose membership includes avid
birdwatchers.