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Discovery Chronicles
Extreme Birdwatching: Measuring Change on a Galápagos Island
A treasure trove for science classrooms, citizen scientists, and budding biologists, this “you-are-there” account of a landmark study of wild finches going about their finch-y business captures the scientific process in action.
Daphne is an island. Not one you’d choose for a vacation. There are no sandy beaches, resorts, hotels, or houses. No tall trees to make shade. The steep, rocky sides of a volcanic Galápagos island are not inviting, and most who visit this part of the world sail right past. But Peter and Rosemary Grant are not most people. A husband-and-wife team, the Grants came to this singular place with a singular goal: to study two species of wild finch. For decades, the scientists and their students counted, cataloged, and observed finches on a remote mile-wide island. Through teamwork, painstaking observation—extreme bird-watching, extreme plant study, extreme seed counting—and careful beak measurements, the group of committed scientists proved step-by-step, over forty years, how finch beaks change in response to their environment. Weaving accessible biology and the scientific process into an inspiring conversational narrative, this second title in the Discovery Chronicles series—packed with resources and back matter—concretely honors the value of hard journeys, the vision and ambition behind tedious tasks, and the astonishing power of curiosity.
Daphne is an island. Not one you’d choose for a vacation. There are no sandy beaches, resorts, hotels, or houses. No tall trees to make shade. The steep, rocky sides of a volcanic Galápagos island are not inviting, and most who visit this part of the world sail right past. But Peter and Rosemary Grant are not most people. A husband-and-wife team, the Grants came to this singular place with a singular goal: to study two species of wild finch. For decades, the scientists and their students counted, cataloged, and observed finches on a remote mile-wide island. Through teamwork, painstaking observation—extreme bird-watching, extreme plant study, extreme seed counting—and careful beak measurements, the group of committed scientists proved step-by-step, over forty years, how finch beaks change in response to their environment. Weaving accessible biology and the scientific process into an inspiring conversational narrative, this second title in the Discovery Chronicles series—packed with resources and back matter—concretely honors the value of hard journeys, the vision and ambition behind tedious tasks, and the astonishing power of curiosity.
- GenresNonfictionBirds
64 pages, Hardcover
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Loree Griffin Burns
17 books70 followersLoree is a scientist-turned-writer specializing in books about science and nature for young readers. You can learn more about her adventures and her books by visiting her website (www.loreeburns.com) or by following her blog (http://loreeburns.com/category/blog/).
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 16, 2026
A nice engaging introduction to natural selection and the scientific research done on the Galapagos Islands.
This is a kids book, but it was robust enough that I don't feel as bad including it in my Read.
This is a kids book, but it was robust enough that I don't feel as bad including it in my Read.
May 15, 2026
Not a book for "back yard birding" but the content of the book will certainly appeal to serious "birders." On one of the unusual Galápagos islands, Daphne Island, a couple of scientists chronicle their study of the Daphne Finches.
Written in an easy flowing and very readable style, the information about the Galápagos Islands, particularly the island of Daphne will captivate readers. While the information in this little book is intended for ages 7 to 10 it will probably appeal to older youths and even adults. It recounts a simplified version of the scientific study of these birds and the environment.
The illustrations are done in shades of blue which lends interest beyond the typical black and white or simple line drawings often seen in books for this age group. I found the illustrations adequate and serve the purpose of making a non-fiction book even more appealing for young readers.
The generalized conclusion of the decades of study of the finches on Daphne Island is that natural selection is observable for study in the wild as is evolution based on conditions.
This would be a nice book to include in a school or classroom library as well as public libraries. I think, too, that if a child is interested in studies such as this, that they would benefit by having their own copy of the book.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
Written in an easy flowing and very readable style, the information about the Galápagos Islands, particularly the island of Daphne will captivate readers. While the information in this little book is intended for ages 7 to 10 it will probably appeal to older youths and even adults. It recounts a simplified version of the scientific study of these birds and the environment.
The illustrations are done in shades of blue which lends interest beyond the typical black and white or simple line drawings often seen in books for this age group. I found the illustrations adequate and serve the purpose of making a non-fiction book even more appealing for young readers.
The generalized conclusion of the decades of study of the finches on Daphne Island is that natural selection is observable for study in the wild as is evolution based on conditions.
This would be a nice book to include in a school or classroom library as well as public libraries. I think, too, that if a child is interested in studies such as this, that they would benefit by having their own copy of the book.
I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.
April 13, 2026
Oh! This book was thrilling! Come along on a science expedition to tiny Daphne Island in the Galapagos, a extinct volcano top sticking out of the water. Track the 2 species of finch on the island over 40 years, watching natural selection take place. The lead investigators are Rosemary and Peter Grant and sometimes, their 2 daughters, plus grad students and other researchers. Find out the painstaking work, turning miraculous via computer analysis, that it takes to track the generations of finches on a small island. Loree Griffin Burns is the author of the wonderful One Long Line: Marching Caterpillars and the Scientists Who Follow Them, Honeybee Rescue a Backyard Drama and my favorite, You are Invited to a Moth Ball: A Nightime Insect Celebration! She's a marvel too, just like the Grants and the finches!
May 16, 2026
3.5
I picked up this book while browsing the children's section of the library with my daughter. It's completely not what I expected for but I'm pleasantly surprised with what it's about. Natural selection was something I found fascinating when I was a young student and I would recommend this book to young pupils to learn about it more in depth than just giraffes getting taller.
I picked up this book while browsing the children's section of the library with my daughter. It's completely not what I expected for but I'm pleasantly surprised with what it's about. Natural selection was something I found fascinating when I was a young student and I would recommend this book to young pupils to learn about it more in depth than just giraffes getting taller.
May 30, 2026
Wow! This slim little volume does a fantastic job of laying out what exactly is involved in field research, as well as an overview of evolution as seen in real time.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews