This was a handy, short book about one man's love of birds and the incremental steps taken to achieve an even better understanding and appreciation of birds, and the world. Filled with anecdotes, it actually does read as a "How to" book. Step 1: Look out the window and spot a bird. Subsequent steps are getting binoculars and further on, studying and memorizing bird calls. While obvious, they are actually something I haven't carried out, so this book provides insight and tips. More than anything, it contained general gushing about birds, which appealed to me greatly. My one quibble: no photos! :)

This very fun little book (except for some British bad language--why oh why do birders always have to use bad language????) was a joy to read. The author starts us off simply, not pointing us to being a big-time birder wit a life list in the thousands or anything--just pointing us to learning to love and enjoy birds, and gaining knowledge slowly to increase our enjoyment, then reminding us that we need to help conserve habitat for these little guys. I loved the author's pure love and joy about birds--it comes through on every page. (just wish he had a better vocab, lol)

Delightful, quick and easy reading. Barnes' style is chatty and inviting. (Maybe he could even make me enjoy articles about sporting events!) I did have some moments when it felt like he and I weren't both speaking English, as he is writing about Britain and other parts of the world, where there are birds I have never even heard of. It was such relief to read his story of coming to North America and feeling much the same way.

Open your eyes and just enjoy the birds!

This book is recommended for anyone curious about birds (or about birdwatchers, for that matter). Simon Barnes is an English journalist who is a self-confessed bad birdwatcher. As near as I can tell, bad birdwatchers are altogether more fun than good birdwatchers, for what it's worth. Bad birdwatchers don't get caught up in ticking birds off a life list, or become obsessed with having the right equipment (bad birdwatchers use any old binoculars to bring the birds closer), or become guarded (so concerned about looking stupid in mis-identifying birds that they fail to ask questions and learn anything). Bad birdwatchers also are magnets, attracting other bad birdwatchers to the hobby, and enhancing everyone's appreciation of the natural world. Some of the book is quite humorous, even serious subjects are approached in a light-hearted manner, and the author's enthusiasm for birdwatching is obvious and contagious. As a bad birdwatcher myself, I can only aspire to be as bad a birdwatcher as Simon Barnes.

A charming little book, aiming to get you - the non-birder with a passing interest in the natural world - out the door and into a lifelong appreciation of our feathered friends. Barnes explains why birds are such a great gateway into an engagement with all natural things, tells you what you need to know to get you up and running, and encourages the reader to translate their newfound excitement into conservation effort. He is endearingly inexpert (hence the title), which separates this from other, stuffier (or at least more formal) guides aimed at the novice. It is written in a British context, but the majority of the ideas are universally applicable. Read in preparation for leading a bird walk tomorrow.

3.5/5

This was the absolute perfect pandemic read. Funny, wise, thoughtful and poignant. I simply loved this. It’s beautiful nature writing. As I write this review, I’m watching a purple finch feed her newly hatched babies. There’s at least one benefit to the home office!