Our October 2015 issue went on sale at Barnes & Noble today. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s inside:

Scott Weidensaul, the well-known naturalist, bird bander, and author, writes about Snowy Owl, and why it has to be called the world’s most misunderstood owl. Scott’s article is an exclusive excerpt from his much-anticipated Peterson Reference Guide to Owls of North America and the Caribbean.

C. Stuart Houston, the head of the largest Turkey Vulture study in North America, describes what wings tags, satellites, and trail cameras are revealing about our northernmost vultures.

And just in time for the autumn migration, hawk expert and author Jerry Liguori and three other hawk watchers give driving directions, tell the best times to visit, and list the birds you can see at hawk watches in Ontario, New York, Iowa, and Washington.

UPDATE: Wildfire forces closure of Chelan Ridge Hawk Watch.

See every hotspot we’ve written about in “Hotspots Near You.”

Also in the October issue:

• Pete Dunne describes how he recorded 39 bird species during a Little Sit that he conducted in his South Jersey backyard in June — and he challenges you to do the same in your yard.

• Julie Craves answers reader questions about bats that visit hummingbird feeders, birds that drink blood, mysterious spider-egg cases, and long-lost birds that were rediscovered recently.

• Kenn Kaufman tells how to identify Vesper Sparrow — and explains the role that famed essayist and naturalist John Burroughs played in giving the bird its name.

• Eldon Greij reveals the remarkable adaptations that allow loons, grebes, and other birds to dive and swim underwater.

• Laura Erickson writes about Cedar Waxwings.

• And David Sibley explains how birds can change color without molting.

We’ve also included a special treat — six pages of beautiful, and rare, early works by John James Audubon. Only two collections of the artist’s early work exist anywhere. Among the birds you’ll see are Carolina Parakeet, painted in 1811, when the artist was only 26, and Ivory-billed Woodpecker, drawn the following year.

And to top things off…

Our October issue also contains a photo gallery of this summer’s most exciting rarities, including Canada’s first Magnificent Hummingbird… Manitoba’s first Common Crane… Nunavut’s first White-winged Dove… and Alberta’s first Crested Caracara.

Take a look, then don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or comments. We’d be happy to hear from you. — Chuck Hagner, Editor

See the contents of the October 2015 issue.

Send a letter for publication in “Your Letters.”

Six fun fall crane festivals.

 

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Originally Published September 1, 2015