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  • Lost Among the Birds

  • Accidentally Finding Myself in One Very Big Year
  • By: Neil Hayward
  • Narrated by: Sam Devereaux
  • Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (20 ratings)
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Lost Among the Birds cover art

Lost Among the Birds

By: Neil Hayward
Narrated by: Sam Devereaux
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Summary

Early in 2013 Neil Hayward was at a crossroads. He didn't want to open a bakery or whatever else executives do when they quit a lucrative but unfulfilling job. He didn't want to think about his failed relationship with 'the one' or his potential for ruining a new relationship with 'the next one'. And he almost certainly didn't want to think about turning 40. And so instead he went birding.

Birding was a lifelong passion. It was only among the birds that Neil found a calm that had eluded him in the confusing world of humans. But this time he also found competition. His growing list of species reluctantly catapulted him into a Big Year - a race to find the most birds in one year. His peregrinations across 28 states and six provinces in search of exotic species took him to a hoarfrost-covered forest in Massachusetts to find a fieldfare; to Lake Havasu, Arizona, to see a rare Nutting's flycatcher; and to Vancouver for the red-flanked bluetail.

Neil's Big Year was as unplanned as it was accidental: It was the perfect distraction from life. Neil shocked the birding world by finding 749 species of bird and breaking the long-standing Big Year record. He also surprised himself: during his time among the hummingbirds, tanagers, and boobies, he found a renewed sense of confidence and hope about the world and his place in it.

©2016 Neil Hayward (P)2016 Audible, Ltd

Critic reviews

"Narrator Sam Devereaux flawlessly portrays transplanted Brit Neil Hayward, who gives up his lucrative biotechnology career to bird-watch and heal after a painful breakup. Devereaux's Hayward generously shares the thrill of bird-watching as he quietly hides in cold, wet bushes, awaiting the arrival of these most elusive creatures. With a count of 749 birds, Hayward breaks the American Birding Association's Big Year record. The most fun comes from Hayward's accent and wit, both delivered authentically by Devereaux. When Hayward travels with an array of American bird-watchers, Devereaux continues to present an impressive range of accents. Even non- bird-watchers will enjoy Hayward's musings on nature and life - both human and avian. Listeners will experience Hayward's joy as he regains his confidence and realizes that Gerri, his new girlfriend, is perfect for him." (AudioFile magazine)

What listeners say about Lost Among the Birds

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Birding Adventure

This book should appeal to birders and maybe those that like challenges -As a birder I totally understand the need to chase birds its more than just the bird its the adventure the challenge and experiences you gain from giving your expeditions into the countryside and wilderness a purpose and a goal, how far you take it is down to you. what this book shows is how far down the rabbit hole birding can take you, and the profound truths about yourself that a "hobby" or obsession can reveal to you if you let it take over.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Rather annoying

Didn't really enjoy this book, but it was useful as a rather monotonous voice to listen to to drop off to sleep to.

I actively listened to the last chapter and the epilogue and was annoyed yet again by the self indulgence.

The bit in the last chapter about the 'evolution' of birds is just ridiculous and really rather pompous.

The only redeeming factor is as mentioned earlier it's perfectly boring to fall asleep to.

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