Updated Field Guide to Sierra Nevada Birds Released

Last Saturday afternoon, November 16, John Muir Laws, an award-winning author, artist, and educator, celebrated the release of The Laws Field Guide to Sierra Birds, an updated version of his classic field guide for Sierra Nevada birds, at the Sierra Valley Preserve’s new Nature Center south of Beckwourth with a talk, reception, and book signing.

The event, sponsored by the book’s publisher, Heyday Books, and Laws’ Wild Wonder Foundation (wildwonder.org), a nonprofit encouraging nature connection through art and science, was attended by over 80 people from Plumas and Sierra counties. During Laws’ presentation, this audience learned why and how the original book, first published in 2004 as Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide, was revised. They were also given a short live demonstration of Laws’ method for painting birds before Laws started signing books, and guests began socializing while consuming the appetizers and beverages supplied by the sponsors.

Featuring more than 200 species, the updated version of Laws’ book remains small and lightweight (easy to tuck inside a pocket during field trips), continues to utilize the popular color-coded key found so useful in the original version, and still contains an index for more advanced birders.

Copies of the volume can now be purchased online for $16 by visiting https://johnmuirlaws.com/product/the-laws-field-guide-to-sierra-birds/.