> Thank you all for your helpful suggestions on the field guides - I don't
> suppose there's a Birder's Book Club out there?

I do suppose, but haven't the info.

I, too, suggest a multi-field guide bookshelf. Some used bookstores
regularly carry older field guides for cheap, Peterson's earlier editions
especially. The birds are generally the same as those in newer versions,
even if a few names have changed. The used route can build a nice library
quickly.
--
Scott Richardson
NE Seattle
salix at halcyon.com