Backyard Birds of New England

We thought we’d give you some inspiration to step away from your desk or TV, walk outside, and enjoy the Berkshire scenery with the many birds that can be found in your own backyard. This is from pages of the forthcoming The Illuminated Book of Birds by Robin Crofut-Brittingham that will be released by Timber Press in October: “Many beautiful birds pass through the backyards and garden birdfeeders of the rural New England countryside. The first time you see a Rose Breasted Grosbeak (12) you could be forgiven for thinking you are hallucinating a tropical jungle bird. In some ways, you are. This bird, recognizable by its stout bill and the triangular red patch of plumage on its otherwise black and white body, migrates as far south as Central and South America, fueled by the fruits it has eaten while further North. On a sunny spring day, you might spy an Eastern Bluebird (2). For many, catching sight of this cheerful little bird is the first sign that the coldest winter days are in the past and spring has arrived. American colonial settlers sometimes referred to this bird as a “blue Robin” given its resemblance to the European Robin. Bluebirds are a ubiquitous presence in the works of many poets and songwriters and have inspired numerous popular songs and works of literature. They also hold mythological significance in several cultures, reappearing as symbols of hope, happiness, and cheer.” Preorders of the book can be made online now. Crofut-Brittingham wrote and illustrated this gorgeous book, which features over 300 hand-painted birds from around the world, each accompanied by mythological, cultural, and scientific facts. “It brings together my love of birds, painting, and storytelling—through the lens of biodiversity and ecological awareness,” she says. Crofut-Brittingham was raised in the Berkshires and now lives in Montreal. She will hold an exhibition at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, with an opening reception on Friday, October 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., showcasing all of the original artwork from the book and selected pieces from her wider fine art practice. The show runs from October 18 to November 30, and Crofut-Brittingham will return on Saturday, November 29, at 2 p.m. for a tour and Q/A.

Other birds pictured: (1) House Sparrow; (3) American Goldfinch; (4) Red-bellied Woodpecker; (5) Blue Jay; (6) Wood Thrush; (7) Barn Swallow; (8) Cedar Waxwing; (9) Baltimore Oriole; (10) Purple Finch; and (11) Great Crested Flycatcher. 

—Anastasia Stanmeyer