Birds by the Shore

Observing the Natural Life of the Atlantic Coast

By: Jennifer Ackerman

Narrated by: Jennifer Ackerman

From the bestselling 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.

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.”—Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review

“A lyrical meditation on the scientific and philosophical meaning to be found in one short stretch of Delaware coastline… Poetic, precise, intelligent, thoughtful. A lovely book.”—Kirkus

“Serene and loving, Ackerman’s deeply personal take on the world around her constitutes nature writing at its best.”—The Philadelphia Inquirer

“A celebration of finding a home, wherever that may be.”—People

Thoughtful and lyrical

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

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.

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.