Birds of the Chesapeake Bay

A fun and accessible guide to birding one of the world's most vital bodies of water, supporting remarkable biodiversity and more than 18 million people.

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, and the different habitats found on the North, South, East, and West Bay make for year-round birding. Without trying hard, you'll likely see some of the Bay's spectacular birds--diving Ospreys in summer, geese flocking in fall and winter, and Great Blue Herons stalking the shallows in any month. This easy-to-use book will help you identify more than 100 commonly occurring birds that help make the region the natural wonders that it is. An emphasis on best practices and habitat sustainability help empower conservation and ensure that birding around our most precious resources will be possible for years to come. Perfect for budding and experienced birders alike, this sleek and compact guide is the ideal travel companion for every trip to the region.


Author: Howard Youth,Gemma Radko
Publisher: Timber Press (OR)
Published: 03/31/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.66lbs
ISBN: 9781643264158


Review Citation(s):
Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 74

About the Author
Howard Youth has been birding the Chesapeake Bay region since the age of twelve. A freelance writer and editor, he previously held editorial positions at conservation organizations including American Bird Conservancy, Friends of the National Zoo, and Worldwatch Institute. Howard also wrote for a variety of publications while living abroad in India, Spain, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. He is the author of Field Guide to the Natural World of Washington, D.C.

Gemma Radko has been an avid Maryland birder for over 30 years. She is a member of both the Montgomery and Frederick chapters of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and often leads bird walks. As a licensed bird bander, Gemma ran a MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) banding station for nine years, and she now teaches introductory ornithology and other birding classes at Nature Forward in Chevy Chase, MD.