Marie Winn is our guide into a secret world, a true wilderness in the heart of a city. The scene is New York's Central Park, but the rich natural h...
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reviews
Jun 03, 2011
Vera
rated it: 
A charming book about a group of people who become enthralled with bird-watching in Central Park, and then obsessed with a pair of breeding red-tails nesting on a building along said park. What I loved about this was how deeply the group of birders came to care about the fate of these birds and their chicks (going out in shifts, even before sunrise, to keep an eye on the nest through spotting scopes) -- and how they drew in so many bystanders, tourists, building managers, and even celebrities (W
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Jun 18, 2011
Jeni
rated it:
I've been infatuated this spring with the the NYU Hawk Cam: Live from the Nest--at Bobst Library, where two fine red tail hawks made their nest on a window ledge of the top floor of the library and a streaming camera has given us a window into the birds' habits and manners. I've daily spied on them with fascination. When their little hawkling hatched and I first laid eyes of him--so tiny and fragile and eating the entrails of New York City rat fed to him by his mother--I swooned, my heart poundi
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Apr 24, 2009
Stephen
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Wonderful story about Pale Male, the now famous red-tailed hawk that claimed New York City’s Central Park as his territory, attracted a mate and help parent a family, not once but many times over the course of the six years covered by the book.
Red-tailed hawks normally choose private, out-of-the-way locations to nest, but Pale Male adapted to life in the "city that never sleeps," although somehow, I think that the hawks actually did find time to sleep, even in the Big Apple More...
Red-tailed hawks normally choose private, out-of-the-way locations to nest, but Pale Male adapted to life in the "city that never sleeps," although somehow, I think that the hawks actually did find time to sleep, even in the Big Apple More...
Aug 12, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
My book club picked this book, which was handy because my mother already had a copy. It's a charming story--not so much for the birds of Central Park, which are interesting enough, but because of the diverse and bizarrely dedicated group of birdwatchers who frequent the park every day. It's refreshing to remember that Central Park is huge, and does still have some "wild" wildlife. It's also extremely heartening to know that so many New Yorkers care about that wildlife. This is a nice s
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Mar 28, 2009
Shawn
rated it: 
what i liked about this book was the information about where to see birds and animals in the park. i've lived in ny a while and wandered central park a fair amount and though i don't think i'd really enjoy becoming a regular in the break-of-dawn park tour circuit, there is some good intel in here. if nothing else just learning about the bird register for future reference was good.
i was a little less into the "here's a cast of quirky lovable characters" parts, of which there are More...
i was a little less into the "here's a cast of quirky lovable characters" parts, of which there are More...
Aug 07, 2008
Liz
rated it:
Ok, another bird book... this time featuring birds of prey in an urban environment, my favorite type of bird. I was full of hawk facts after I finished this book (and I love that). My only dislike of this book was Marie Winn's writing style occasionally verging straight into twee. There's one scene where she's watching birds and a baby raccoon walks right over her, leaving muddy footprints on her white knee socks. White knee socks? This cuter-than-cute detail actually helped me out: okay, W
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Sep 21, 2011
Robert
rated it:
This story of the famous red-tail hawks and their struggles to nest in NYC is justifiably famous. The story is composed more of details of bird watching in Central Park in general and in the story of those humans who are obsessed with bird watching. But the focal story is worth it, although I have to say I'd have enjoyed the story much more if I lived in New York or at least on the East Coast -- and would only whole-heartedly recommend it to those who do.
Sep 26, 2010
Ferris
rated it:
Book club selection.....Fantastic! A book about a pair of birds and the people who love them could be pretty boring, but not the way this tale is written by Marie Winn. An entire subculture unfolds before the reader's eyes and makes me want to run, not walk, to Central Park to see the Bird Register, to walk with the Regulars, and above all......to see Pale Male with my own two eyes! Not to mention that you can see up to date photos at www.palemale.com...............do it!!!
Dec 05, 2011
Amy
rated it:
272 pgs
NF
I was on a fishing vacation with Bill at Montauck Point where there were alot of birds while reading this book. I have been dabbling in bird watching for awhile and this book got me more exciting about bird watching. People were aware of the hawks and their nest in Manhattan, because there was alot of news reporting on it, but it was great to hear Winn telling the story. She also became one of the birders in Central Park and that part of the book was facinating. Righ More...
NF
I was on a fishing vacation with Bill at Montauck Point where there were alot of birds while reading this book. I have been dabbling in bird watching for awhile and this book got me more exciting about bird watching. People were aware of the hawks and their nest in Manhattan, because there was alot of news reporting on it, but it was great to hear Winn telling the story. She also became one of the birders in Central Park and that part of the book was facinating. Righ More...
Feb 07, 2011
Sphinx
rated it:
Very interesting and very good, but at times I felt exasperated by the hawkwatchers and wanted to tell them to get a life. I understand wanting to protect animals and being excited to see something rare, but sometimes the level of worry (ie. not being able to sleep for a month because of worry that baby hawks wouldn't fly right) seems a bit excessive.
Jan 12, 2010
Badly Drawn Girl
rated it:
I am not a bird watcher. I've never been to Central Park. I picked this book up one afternoon out of boredom and was immediately transported to New York. Wonderful descriptions bring this book to life. The birds and the people who watch them are equally fascinating. This is a delightful book and a completely unexpected gem. I highly recommend it.
Nov 06, 2010
Connie
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. The story of the hawks, the trials and tribulations of the people watching them, and the natural history relating to Central Park were all compelling. The number of bird species found in Central Park is amazing! Reading the book made me wish I could join them on their bird-watching adventures.
Jan 01, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
I had never read a wildlife drama before and was a little hesitant that there would be talking animals and it would be really campy. Not at all what I expected! I'm not a bird nerd by any means, but you don't have to be to read this book. I found I couldn't help but keep reading to want to find out what happens next.
Jul 30, 2011
Sidney
rated it:
This is the thoroughly charming story of Pale Male, the famous red-tail hawk who nested on a window ledge on 5th Ave in NYC, but it's more the story of the dedicated group of Central Park birdwatchers who cheered and mourned his successes and losses. The narrator is delightful. Not for birders only.
Aug 07, 2011
Deb
rated it:
I enjoyed the book but it took some time to get through it. There are places that it stretched on and things seemed a little dull in the story. However, the red-tails adventures made up for it! Wonderful story of how a group of bird-watchers protected and watched over this famous nest!
Dec 27, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
The story of the legendary Pale Male, a gorgeous Red Tail Hawk who forged a niche into New York City, and continues to go strong to this very day. An astonishing survival and virile story. I have yet to 'see' him in person in the few times I'm in the city.
Jul 29, 2009
A year in the life of Central Park's bird community starring Red Tailed Hawks who meet, mate, set up housekeeping, and raise their young amid Manhattan's the wilder regions of the Park and the high-storied ledges of the rich and famous.
Jan 16, 2009
This is a beautiful book about natural communities - human and non human. I know nothing about New York, but I find myself longing for Central Park. A lovely read - my stars aren't working, but I give it five
Nov 07, 2010
Nezka
rated it:
Read this book years ago, and it is a wonderful crafting of the true story of a pair of redtail hawks that nested in some upscale apartments near Central Park.
Feb 28, 2010
Meg
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I LOVED this book. Made me want to run over to Central Park and birdwatch. The story made me laugh and get teary-eyed...I recommend this book for New Yorkers. Wish I had the time to sit in a park and watch birds. The story was interesting and easy to read. Enjoy.
Nov 24, 2008
A very charming book if you enjoy watching bird and bird-watchers. It provides a fresh perspective on community life in New York City.
Dec 19, 2008
Terry
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This book is outstanding. After I read it, I went to Central Park in NY to find the bird list and to find the red-tail hawks.
Apr 15, 2011
Susie
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Who knew birds were so engrossing?... Read like a great fiction: interesting characters, drama and suspense, and of course, love (even with liberties with anthropomorphism were taken)...
Sep 19, 2010
Janet
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I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It's a non-fiction read about bird watchers in Central Park.
Mar 30, 2009
Janell
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Great ideas for exploring Central Park.
Simple story padded with extraneous animal information.
Simple story padded with extraneous animal information.
Mar 26, 2011
Karen
rated it:
Bird watchers will "get" this, and the rest will enjoy it after taking a chance :)
Jan 27, 2010
Katy
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This is a very fun book about bird watching in Central Park. I loved this book!
Jun 14, 2011
Sophie
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It was hard for me to get into it. It would be a great book for bird lovers.
Apr 08, 2011
Lily
rated it:
Delightful story of the red tail hawks in Central Park and along Fifth Avenue.
