Birding Without Borders

August 28, 2017
Strycker (The Thing with Feathers), a birder and adventurer, chronicles the record-setting year he spent trekking the globe, succeeding in his aim “to see 5,000 species of birds—about half the birds on Earth—in the ultimate round-the-world journey.” He begins in Antarctica on Jan. 1, 2015, and ends on December 31 in Australia, traveling to every continent and spotting more than 6,000 species. Strycker traces his lifelong interest in ornithology to his Pacific Northwest childhood and a fortuitous set of bird-related events that took place in his life at age 10. In this volume Strycker tracks what he saw during his “big year” and describes his planning process and the ground rules he established. Every bird he counted, for example, would need to be “seen by at least one other person.” His companions had to be local, too, “living in the same country where we went birding together.” This would prevent loneliness on his solo trip and help to give him the inside scoop. Even readers who wouldn’t know a marvellous spatuletail from a southern ground hornbill will be awed by Strycker’s achievement and appreciate the passion with which he pursues his interest. Photos. Agent: Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary.

Starred review from August 15, 2017
Discovering the universal nature of humanity's kindness while pursuing a birding world record.In 2015, Birding magazine associate editor Strycker (The Thing with Feathers: The Surprising Lives of Birds and What They Reveal About Being Human, 2015, etc.) set a goal to see half of the world's bird species in one year. Though his journey took him to all seven continents and over 40 countries--and he eventually clocked in at 6,042 species sighted, surpassing the 5,000 he aimed for when he set out--the author's travelogue focuses less on the counts than on the moments that made up his remarkable journey. He discusses the evolution and historical context of ornithology and birding, noting that it moved from a process of taming the wilderness through discovering, collecting, and categorizing to a way to rediscover nature "at a time when significant chunks of society rarely venture outdoors." Through his knowledgeable viewpoint, Strycker celebrates the creatures he followed, avian and human alike. With impressive attention to detail and a sharp eye, he conveys a sense of optimism even as he notes the ecological challenges faced not only by birds, but also by the other animals that occupy different habitats. If anything, cynics might struggle to believe in the spate of generosity embodied in the global village of birders as seen through the author's eyes. Nonetheless, Strycker's description of a year "expanded to its maximum potential" will inspire readers to explore the world, "from the tiniest detail to the biggest panorama." In the appendix section, the author includes a list of his gear, a "Big Year Snapshot," which lists the total days in each country and number of birds sighted, among other data, and a 50-page list of each of the birds he saw and when and where he saw them. Colorful but unassuming--and unexpected--lessons for living life fully, presented from a birder's-eye view.

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October 1, 2017

In 2015, Strycker traveled to 41 countries and seven continents, setting a record of viewing 6,042 bird species in one year, while surpassing the old mark of 4,341 and his personal goal of 5,000. This compelling account of his epic quest is a tribute to the author's thorough planning, record-keeping, and personal endurance--showing that this accomplishment was more than a personal stunt. The narrative is full of humor, descriptions of places, and encounters with unforgettable individuals. While in the field every day, Strycker maintained a blog and kept in communication with family and friends. Relying solely on numerous in-country birding guides, the author took 112 plane flights, covering 100,514 miles, along with multiple other modes of travel. His varied journeys were fraught with discomfort, danger, and uncertainty, but there were triumphs and achievement as well. Strycker is an excellent writer and provides a comprehensive analysis of his trips' results, though the book would have been improved with a map of his routes. VERDICT Highly recommended for anyone interested in travel, natural history, and adventure.--Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia

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