The Urban Birder

by David Lindo, Stephen Moss (Foreword)

Anyone can become an Urban Birder. You can do it anywhere and any time, whether youve got the day to spare, on your way to work, during your lunch break or just looking out of a window. Look up and you will see. The book is an inspirational look at the birdlife in our cities, or more accurately, the authors personal journey of discovery involving encounters with racism, air rifle-toting youths, girls, alcohol, music, finding urban wildlife oases and of course, birds. His story is entertaining and sometimes controversial, but the one guarantee is that the reader will be left feeling inspired enough to pick up a pair of binoculars and head to the nearest park. The Urban Birder will be launched at The British Birdwatching Fair in August 2011.

Genres: Birds, Nonfiction, Nature, Animals, Memoir, Natural History, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I had not heard of the Urban Birder before linking with him on a social site, the title stuck easily so as soon as I saw this book I picked it up to buy.

London where David Lindo grew up is a vast sprawl of city and among its gardens, parks, reservoirs, derelict sites and wild spaces, innumerable bird species are to be found. Some are resident for all or part of the year while many other species migrate across Britain and use London as part of the route. Any keen bird watcher may see something unexpected, or a usual bird behaving in an unexpected way, is the message from this devoted fan of birds.

We get the often amusing story of Lindo's early and incongruous obsession with feathered friends, growing up in a Jamaican family in dense housing. Despite being scared off birds in his personal space by Hitchcock's 'The Birds' on TV while a child, he loved watching them through his prized binoculars bought on hire-purchase and made his own notes. Soon he developed a life-list and area-list hobby which increased his drive to see more and better habitats.

While Lindo has been fortunate enough to work in various places around the world, he has pursued his ornithology to, presumably, the exclusion of some socialising. Bird watching comes across as a mostly male pursuit in salt marshes at dawn and not all those men could be bothered chatting to a black kid who had memorised books. I grinned when Lindo described spotting rarities because the large group of twitchers (those who pursue a spotting of a rare bird) he'd just split from was scaring off the bird, or the garrulous men were too busy chatting on a boat trip to spot an unusual gull in the mix. He does mention his interest in music and clubs but we don't get an account of a more personal life.

I liked the account of the different habitats to be found in the big city, and the bird diversity available. However there is little on the other biodiversity, and for me all the species found in a habitat are interlinked. Lindo surprised himself by finding an entire ecosystem under a log while guiding a walk for children, right up to newts!

I would also have liked to see some advice on luring birds to your garden, other than the biscuit crumbs the junior enthusiast used, or at least a recommendation of which book to buy or website to read to get this information. For this reason I recommend teaming this book with "Welcome to Subirdia: Sharing Our Neighborhoods with Wrens, Robins, Woodpeckers, and Other Wildlife" by John M. Marzluff, Jack Delap.

Overall this is an amiable memoir from a guy who clearly enjoys his life and wants to spread his message of looking up and being inspired by birds of all kinds.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Lindo's enthusiasm for all things avian in urban environments is simply delightful. Funny, charming, and thought-provoking.

[Jayne Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting and informative book. It has made me appreciate my urban environment for bird spotting. It was interesting to hear of David's early years and development into a wonderful birder I enjoy seeing and hearing on the tv. Highly recommended

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read, his relaxed and chatty writing style means it is easy to get through in a weekend. I read this following a talk by the author at one of the Kent Ornithological Society meetings. His overriding message is that you don't have to make a pilgrimage to the countryside to find good birds, they are on your doorstep if you just take the time to look. In fact, as was alluded to at the KOS meeting, with current farming practices being so hostile to birds and other wildlife it is not uncommon to head out to the countryside and come home utterly depressed by the sterility and emptiness you encounter. David Lindo is that lovely - rare - combination of informed and witty, he doesn't take himself too seriously and is passionate about switching folk on to wildlife. This is his first book, I think he will most likely write more and I shall follow his advice and career closely. I already found 30 waxwings in my local town at the weekend following his numerous anecdotes about doing a spot of wishful thinking. Nice one David, thank you. An inspiring read.

[Jojo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Redundant and extremely boring. I thought memoirs/autobiographies were supposed to be written for a purpose? This is merely a monument to himself by himself - and, I suppose, for himself. EVEN if his sole purpose in writing this was to give a solid depiction of his life (which, he stated, as the "urban birder," was not his purpose), his life is not interesting enough or inspiring enough to so much as stir a small feeling in the reader. Throughout the book, he seems bent on convincing you that "oh, yes, I'm trying to help nature! I'm doing this all for the environment and inspiring others to care about nature!" whilst he brags about his accomplishments in life and only regards the birds as good for a "tick" off of his birding list. If you would like to read the perfect example of a narcissist expressing himself, this is the book for you!

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

A light little autobio about David Lindo, the "Urban Birder." Knowing next to nothing about birds, unfortunately, a lot of the technical terms and names were lost on me. Recommended for someone who is at least a little knowledgeable on birding. Sadly, I also had to skim the last bit of the book as I think I just had it sitting by bedside for so long half-finished that I lost momentum with it. Humorous and informative, I would check out other books by Lindo.

[Jadey (the Bookish) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! I found Lindo's accounts thoroughly inspiring and enthralling. I attended the Bird Fair event at Rutland this weekend, so it was a very apt read!

My biggest takeaway from this book was the notion that anyone with any background, anywhere, can become a birder! Whilst before this book I was hardly a hater of birds (I'm a zoologist so that would be a bit weird of me), but they were never a type of animal that held my particular interest. Oh how things have changed for me after reading this book! I now look up at the trees or sky no matter where I am to see what delights might be hiding. Just this morning in my own garden, I saw what I (hopefully correctly) identified as a little egret- a type of heron that I would never have expected to see in my own garden, nor would have noticed at all if it wasn't for Lindo's writing. I've taken this occurrence as a sign from the universe that taking a more active role in looking for the wildlife around me is what I'm meant to be do!

I've read other reviews that have stated that Lindo's life isn't interesting enough to be written about- but I thoroughly disagree. I think that the story of his youth, growing up in the city with little interaction with the countryside, is what sets his writing apart and makes it so relatable; and really enforces the sentiment that anyone can become a birder to the reader.

Having read this book, I will definitely be reading more of his work. I've also been assured by one of my good friends that although his writing his good, his public speaking is even better; so I hope to attend one of those events sometime! So whether you're an avid birder, an aspiring birder, or someone who just thinks they're quite nice to see every now and again, I would definitely recommend reading this book!

[Octavia Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just plain fun, and by talking about birds in plain language and relating his experiences in bird-watching, both as a child and as an adult, Lindo has made birding accessible. Primarily what there is here is a deep affection, a consuming interest, and the desire to keep learning more about the birds that he loves. As a science communicator, this is how you get people interested in nature.

A love of birds was evident from Lindo's childhood, growing up in a working class London family - not the typical birder, as he's quick to point out, and one particularly funny story involves a woman friend that he used to go birding with sometimes... other birders, generally older white men, would never know whether to address the woman or the black man as the expert of the pair! (Which is sadly depressing as well as funny, but Lindo and his mate took great delight in trolling them, so they could at least appreciate the humour involved in puncturing the prejudice.) But coming from this background has increased that sense of accessibility that Lindo is so determined to promote, I think. He's at pains to say, over and over again, that birding is something anyone can do, and that even the most unassuming urban environments can be wonderful places to watch birds if you only keep your eyes and your mind open to seeing them. It makes me think about how carefully I watch city birds myself - not very - and that I should make more of an effort, because there are no doubt lots of them and they're worth looking at.

It's just a friendly, unassuming, welcoming book about birds, and I think that's wonderful.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindo writes a fine memoir, reaching back into his childhood in the 1970s in London, recounting his surprising passion for birding, which starts at a very early age. His simple, clear writing speaks of his openness, the lessons he's learned — keep humble in your identifications, learn constantly, even if through stolen library books early on, and look up. Lindo is an unexpected birder, a second generation black Briton, and presents his lived experiences in the "twitching" community straightforwardly, but as one who has more often than not been treated as an outsider. Interesting, too, are his observations on the ebb and flow of life's interests, friends, and passions. At his best, he's less the "life lister" twitcher elbowing in on a key sighting, and much more a keen observer of life around him, at any local park or just overhead. Note that, for Americans, so many of the identifications will be foreign indeed. A chapter on his birding in the States was like a rush of old friends. But this is no barrier to enjoying his story, and relishing the act of discovery no matter where you live.

[Deirdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is enjoyable read about a second generation Jamaican immigrant growing up in London who who travels the world to find birds but still loves twitching (chasing rare birds) in his urban neighborhood.
Once you get used to British nomenclature for birding you will find this an enjoyable read.
The author’s infectious enthusiasm and wry humor may inspire you to start observing nature around you, wherever you live. It doesn’t matter whether you know the difference between a widgeon or a pigeon to enjoy this slender volume but if you are a lifer, you will want to see the birds ion his list.

[Katie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read about someone who has a true passion for something - it is inspiring - and David Lindo is truly passionate and inspiring. It did prompt me to look up although I think I need a few more field guides before I start to see what David Lindo sees.

[Patty Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Urban Birder

Wonderful stories of starting out with birds at 4 yrs and continuing birding through the years. He has marvelous stories of people,places and birds. He talks about going out, no matter how many times you’ve gone before and discovering birds. Just look up!

[Jess Molina · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good waiting book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

His passion for birds is infectious. I have been inspired to get better at noticing and watching birds.
I loved the neediness of the book but it was still accessible to someone who doesn’t know anything about birds. The stories make it come to life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I anticipated. It's about the Urban Birder singular rather than generic - a man with whom I have limited familiarity as I don't watch a lot of TV or read a lot of magazines. But I applaud his endeavour. Yes, it is clever self-marketing and whilst his career history shows where he might have acquired this talent, it seems entirely legitimate and a likely force for good - black and city dwelling, he's a fine poster boy to encourage people to connect with nature where they are.

The book is put out by a small publisher and I feel it would have benefited from a lot more editing input. Not to cut it down, far from it, but there were lots of places where I thought "Say more about that" and too many where I thought "Don't say it like that" (although his occasionally rather garbled or hackneyed English was in a way a refreshing change from the English Literature graduates who have rather cornered the market in nature writing with their purple prose)

His early life was interesting... one might almost say that he was a cuckoo in the nest with his early obsession with birds which seemed to have come out of nowhere. Some of it was interesting precisely because it was so ordinary: he was a working-class son of West Indian immigrants living in London and growing up in the 70s and 80s, but there's little drama here, other than his excitement over seeing particular species. He also did not follow the route of a higher education in biological sciences... or the English Literature previously mentioned. Most of his work history seems almost irrelevant (almost)

I read this soon after Chris Packham's memoirs which were an entirely different kettle of feathers and perhaps destined to become a classic. David Lindo essentially remains a birder on the twitching wing, on the evidence of this book at any rate, rather than a rounded naturalist. I hoped for something a bit more like a Joy of Pigeons.

[JJE · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on British birding but frankly the author banging the drum about him being the only birder that isn’t white British is tiresome. He comes across rather arrogantly as the great savour to our British wildlife and how it is adjusting to an evolving country but doesn’t explain how or what any of it is doing.

I wanted to be educated about the pull of urban green-spaces to migrant birds etc but that was only scratched at and no detail added at all.

I also wanted to hear more about his twitching days and his drive to educate young people in an urban environment and basically it was non existent. It was more of an ego massage for the author which nobody really needs to know.

[Stephen Nickless]

I saw David Lindo on the TV. He is an enthusiast who is relaxed and engaging an communicates well. This book is more autobiography than bird guide but is of local interest to me as I live a short distance from his favourite sites - the Brent reservoir at Welsh Harp and to Wormwood Scrubs. See his web page with wonderful pictures and videos at www.theurbanbirder.com

[Sarah Scribbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

My final choice in my books of 2015. Took it as a random selection on holiday to France and found myself converted as an urban birder abroad. The result was we were looking up at the cliffs more than out to sea... Couldn't wait to get home in the evening and find out more about David's bird spotting adventures. When's the sequel coming?

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a London kid’s journey into birding.