Book Reviews: Ratings 

* Not Good

** Average

*** Good

**** Must Have

Birds:

San Diego Bird Atlas- 2005 Phil Unitt ****

What can anyone say that will do this book any justice. It goes far beyond just being an update to Phil's previous work (see below). This is a MUST HAVE for any birder who lives or birds in San Diego County. The Photography is fantastic and the information was gathered by hundreds of volunteers, who spent thousands of hours in the field.

The Birds of San Diego County- 1984 Phil Unitt **** 

A book that you can not be without if you are a San Diego Birder. This book covers the Status and Distribution of all of the birds that had been seen up to 1984. Phil is currently working on the Breeding Birds & Wintering Birds Atlas of San Diego County. Some beautiful artwork by Allen Brooks.

Birds of Southern California-Status and Distribution (a.k.a. Garrett & Dunn)-1981 Kimball Garrett & Jon Dunn****

This is THE BIBLE of any serious Southern California Birder. Full of information and Out of Print! You have to beg, borrow, or steal to get this book. You can still find it in some used book stores, but the time in searching for it, is worth it.

The Birds of San Diego- 1997 Fischer & Clarke *

This book has nice drawings, and is recommended for the beginning backyard bird-watcher. This is another one of those series of books, not meant for the serious birder, that is out there to make money off of the general public.

The Distribution of the Birds of California, Reprinted 1986 Grinnell & Miller **** 

This is a must have, if you really want to know California's resident birds. It includes subspecies on top of subspecies!!!

The Birds of the Anza-Borrego- 1998 Massey  **

While there is some questions about some of the records stated in this book. There just isn't enough people out birding in the desert, so it's nice to have something on the region in print. It is a nice reference book to have in your library.

The Birds of California- 1995 Arnold Small ***

A wonderful coffee table book. Lots of beautiful photos and information on the status & distribution of the birds of California. This is the last work by the late Mr. Small, and is a revised version from his 1970's book by the same title.