Editor’s note: The following article is a synopsis written by staff members and volunteers of the Cary Public Library highlighting one of the suggested reading books, as determined by their staff.
Several years ago a small girl complained to me about having to wait a long time for her school bus to pick her up. I suggested she practice her times tables to pass time more quickly, but she said she knew them already. So I asked if she could hear the birds singing and she replied, “What birds?”
A few days later she excitedly arrived to say, “I heard them! The birds! They really are there!”
Sometimes we become immune to the beautiful sounds of song birds especially when there are other noises prevalent.
“The Joy of Birding” by Kate Rowinski is just the ticket to zoning in on the sounds of summer birds. And not only that, the book has nice pictures to help identify them, and ways to attract more birds to your vicinity. Although Maine does not have a birding organization or chapter to create a life list of birds sighted, many states do and they are listed alphabetically along with sources of bird supplies. We have several such retail stores in Houlton, once you know what birds might be attracted to your space.
Several suggestions are given for the pests associated with backyard feeders: squirrels, raccoons, cats and hawks. Recipes for bird treats are fun to try with children. We found this book to be chock-a-block full of useful and easy to understand material. Summer is here; practice your listening skills…
The Cary Public Library is open Monday-Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 532-1302.
