From the Editor
A chat with Pete
The “Bard of Birding,” Pete Dunne, talks about his latest book, Birds of Prey.
Features
Connecting the dots
American Kestrel numbers have been dropping for 50 years. Scientists are racing to learn why and to turn around the fortunes of our most colorful falcon.
Masterful migrant
How tiny Blackpoll Warbler manages to cross a continent and an ocean each fall.
26 minutes of wow
How a retired school teacher told the world about the breathtaking autumn swarms of Vaux's Swift.
Our grandest birds
Humans nearly killed off the largest soaring bird in North America, but thanks to the hardened resolve of many people, we have brought California Condor back from the brink of extinction.
Columns
Since You Asked
Answers to your questions
Insights about Great Horned Owls, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Willets, and Ruffed Grouse.
Birder at Large
The blue frontier
Why it can often pay to look skyward for birds.
Attracting Birds
A sticky situation
The pros and cons of feeding birds jelly.
Amazing Birds
The first migration
The astonishing story of why young songbirds don't get lost.
ID Tips
Neotropic Cormorant
How to differentiate Neotropic Cormorant from Double-crested.
ID Toolkit
The value of active observation
Why you should take a little extra time to look at birds.
Hotspots Near You
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261. Hosmer Grove Campground, Haleakala National Park, Hawai’i
This sliver of forest on Maui is a wonderful spot to find native honeycreepers as well as Hawaiian Goose (Nene) and the native subspecies of Short-eared Owl (Pueo).
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262. Santa Maria River Estuary, Guadalupe, California
One of the best places to bird in Santa Barbara County, this estuary is great for shorebirds, seabirds, and waterfowl.
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263. Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts
This green oasis in metro Boston is home to nesting hawks and owls and is an important stopover for spring and fall migrants.
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264. Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands, Beaumont, Texas
More than 250 species have been recorded in the wetlands at Cattail Marsh, a wastewater treatment facility.
Also in Every Issue
Birding Briefs
Important news about birds, birdwatching, and conservation.
Your View
Photos submitted by readers.