NATURE CENTER OFFERS NEW SHOREBIRD BOOK

Free guide helps birdwatchers recognize hard-to-identify birds
WICHITA -- The Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) recently released its latest pocket-sized reference guide, A Pocket Guide to Great Plains Shorebirds, by Suzanne Fellows and Bob Gress. Shorebirds, such as plovers and sandpipers, are captivating birds primarily adapted to live on open shorelines, wetlands, and grasslands. There are more than 200 species worldwide. Approximately 50 regularly breed, winter, or migrate through the United States and Canada. About 40 of these species can be found within the Great Plains.

This new guide features 38 of the most common shorebirds found in the Great Plains. The 70-page booklet highlights size, description, similar species, and comments for each bird. Seventy-five color photographs show both breeding and non-breeding plumages.

The publication was made possible by financial support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management; The Nature Conservancy in Kansas; the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks' Chickadee Checkoff Program; and the Westar Energy Green Team.

Single copies of this guide can be picked up free at the Great Plains Nature Center, 29th and Woodlawn in Wichita. To a obtain copy by mail, send a $2 check payable to GPNC, to Shorebirds Pocket Guide, Great Plains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67220.
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