Birds by the Shore

Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast

By: Jennifer Ackerman

Narrated by: Jennifer Ackerman

Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of The Genius of Birds, the revised and reissued edition of her beloved book of essays describing her forays along the Delaware shore

For three years, Jennifer Ackerman lived in the small coastal town of Lewes, Delaware, in the sort of blue-water, white-sand landscape that draws summer crowds up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Birds by the Shore is a book about discovering the natural life at the ocean's edge: the habits of shorebirds and seabirds, the movement of sand and water, the wealth of creatures that survive amid storm and surf. Against this landscape's rhythms, Ackerman revisits her own history - her mother's death, her father's illness, and her hopes to have children of her own.

This portrait of life at the ocean's edge will be relished by anyone who has walked a beach at sunset, or watched a hawk hover over a winter marsh, and felt part of the natural world. With a quiet passion and friendly, generous intelligence, it explores the way that landscape shapes our thoughts and perceptions and shows that home ground is often where we feel the deepest response to the planet.

©2019 Jennifer Ackerman (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Arresting and provocative... A joy to read.” (The Washington Post)

“Ackerman’s glimpses of the Delaware shore are full of the kind of fascinating detail that makes good nature writing as engaging as any fiction.” (Smithsonian Magazine)

“Like walking along an ocean beach with a knowledgeable, articulate friend, reading this personalized natural history is a restorative experience.” (Publishers Weekly)

Natural History of the Delaware Coast

Was expecting more about birds in this title, but the content was more towards other forms of natural life in and around the Delaware shore. It was very enlightening from that perspective.

Thoughtful and lyrical

The personal experiences of the author are meshed beautifully with good science and lovingly detailed observation, delightfully narrated.

Learned a lot

A lot more than birds is covered in this book. The author shares an intimate knowledge of the shore with the reader. It gives you a greater appreciation of the shore and a different way to look at things.

Not really about birds.

This is an autobiography interesting but not enough bird info. Should not be listed a nature book.

Good choice

Very interesting set of themes. The book is not exclusively about birds, but it captures where our minds go when we are lucky enough to be observing them.

Title is misleading. Not really about birds

Struggled to finish. Should have read description more thoroughly. Author very descriptive. Really was looking for bird natural history

Not a book for birders

If you're going into this to learn more about shorebirds or "birds by the shore" then look elsewhere. If you're looking for a book about salt marsh ecosystems or the Delaware coast then this is for you. Disappointed by the misleading title and cover image of an American Oystercatcher..

Hard to finish

I started this book in hopes it would interest me but it didn't. Some books aren't for everyone this one definitely isn't for me.