Are you interested in birdwatching, but you feel clueless about where to begin?
How do you get started? What gear do you need?
Bird watching is a great hobby to take up. It is enjoyable and relaxing, and you can learn a lot about different kinds of birds while doing it. It may seem a little daunting, but if you think you have never done it before, think again. Have you ever noticed a little sparrow hopping down to the ground to look for food? Or seen the Mourning Doves or American Crows sitting on wires or fences? Or noticed the sound of a bird singing in a tree and gone searching, hoping to catch a glimpse of it? Then, you have already observed birds and some of their interesting ways. This article will provide some basic tips for bird watching to help make your experience more enjoyable and even successful!
Get outside and start birding
If you’re new to birdwatching, the best way to get started is simply by getting outside and observing the common species of birds in your own backyard or by visiting a local park. You don’t need any special equipment, gear, or knowledge to get started, but a pair of binoculars will always come in useful, as well as a curiosity about the natural world.
You can begin by finding a comfortable place to sit or a place to stand where you can observe the birds for an extended period without startling them. Then, you can simply take some time to watch and observe the birds, how they interact, what they do, and what they do to forage for food. Don’t worry if you can’t identify everything at first, there are plenty of resources available that will help you to learn more about the birds you’re seeing and identify any new species you discover.
As you become more familiar with the birds in your immediate area, you can begin to venture out further afield and explore new habitats such as waterways and woods or forests. Birding is a great way to get outside, rest, and enjoy nature, so make sure to take your time and savor the experience.
Record your bird observations
One of the most important things to do as a birdwatcher is to keep track of the birds you see. Recording the birds you see can be done in many different ways:
Notebook
One of the simplest ways to record your observations is to keep a notebook and pencil with you at all times. Every time you see a new bird, write down a description of what it looks like, where you saw it, and anything else you remember about the sighting. It is also helpful to make a note of the date as you will then be able to identify whether it is a migratory bird or not. This will help you keep track of your progress and birding skills over time.
Take Pictures
Another way to record your observations is to take photos of the birds you see. By taking a photo, you can go back and look at the picture to get a better description of the bird by which to identify it.
You do not need to have an expensive camera to do this. Most mobile phones can take a clear enough picture and you can also create a catalog of the birds you see on your phone, for easy reference. A photo can also make the bird easier to identify if you need to look it up on the internet later.
Online Birding Communities
Another way to keep track of your bird sightings is to join an online community, such as eBird. You can create an account on eBird and submit your observations electronically. This is a great way to connect with other birdwatchers and learn more about the birds you are seeing.
No matter which method or combination of methods you choose to use, keeping track of your bird observations is an important part of the hobby. It will help you to identify patterns and maybe even discover something new about the birds in your area!
Tell me the best bird identification apps for my phone
iBird for iPhone
There are a few good bird identification apps out there. iBird Pro Guide to Birds for iPhones is an app that turns your iPHone into a field guide without the use of the internet. With iBird, you can search the app to identify birds either by description or from a photo. This app covers over 800 species of birds found in North America. It includes detailed information about each one, as well as photos, and calls for many of them too.
Audubon
Another great option for bird identification apps is the Audubon Bird Guide. The National Audubon Society together with Cornell University created eBird, which is an online database for bird observation. This app covers more than 800 species of birds found in North America. It includes photos, bird calls, and detailed information on each species. It’s a great resource for both beginner and experienced birders alike.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide to birds, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds is a comprehensive resource derived from research in the study of Ornithology. It also has information about courses and live webcams set up to observe birds online.
Best places for beginners to go birdwatching
There are many great places for beginner birdwatchers to go in the USA.
The first place is in your own backyard or neighborhood. If you happen to have your own yard, you can attract birds by setting out bird feeders and watching to see which birds come to your yard. By identifying the birds that are common backyard birds in your area, you will also learn more about their habits, their diet, and their migratory tendencies.
One option, a little further afield than your backyard, is to visit a local park or nearby nature reserve. Many of these locations have plenty of birds to watch. Reserves also usually have informative signage that can help you identify the different species of birds.
Another option is to go on a guided birdwatching tour. These tours can be a great way to learn about different birds and see them up close, as well as meet fellow birdwatching enthusiasts.
Finally, you can also go birdwatching on your own by simply heading outside and seeing what you can find. Wherever you go, make sure to take along a pair of binoculars and a bird identification book or your bird identification app, so that you can get the most out of your experience.
Things you need for birdwatching
Binoculars
Binoculars are an important tool for birdwatching. They allow you to see birds that are far away and get a closer look at their features. A good pair of binoculars can be expensive, but there are many cheaper and more affordable options available.
A field guide
Another important item is a field guide about birds specific to the area in which you are bird watching. It doesn’t help to have a field guide on Arctic Birds if you live in the middle of Texas. A field guide will help you to identify the birds you see.
A notebook
You will also need a notebook and pencil or pen to record your observations. This is a great way to keep track of the birds you have seen, when you saw them and where you saw them.
Dress appropriately
Finally, make sure you dress for the weather. Birdwatching can be done in all kinds of weather, but you will be more comfortable if you are prepared for the conditions. Also, make sure that the colors you choose allow you to blend in with the scenery. Bright, colorful outfits will make you stand out and you may not find a lot of birds to spot.
With these supplies, you are ready to go birdwatching! Start by finding a good spot to watch birds. You can do this in your backyard or at a nearby park. Then, use your binoculars and field guide to identify the birds you see. Be sure to make notes in your notebook so you can remember what you saw later.
Birdwatching is a great way to get outside and learn about the natural world. With a little practice, you will be able to identify many different types of birds. So get started today and see what kinds of birds you can find!
Connect with other birders
One of the best ways to learn more about birding is to connect with other birders in your area. There are many ways to do this, including joining a local birding club or attending an event put on by your state’s Audubon Society chapter. You can also find fellow birders online through forums, Facebook groups, Instagram, and Twitter. Connecting with other birders is a great way to learn about new birds, hot spots for birding, and upcoming events.
Another great way to learn more about birding is to attend a local event. Citizen science projects are also a great way of getting involved in the birding community and learning more about the birds in your area. There are many ways to get involved in citizen science, including counting birds at your local park, or reporting your observations to eBird.
Birdwatching Movies & Documentaries to Watch
There are a few great birdwatching movies and documentaries out there that can help you get started:
National Geographic
National Geographic is an organization dedicated to the preservation of the natural world. They have countless studies, documentaries, and movies about birds.
BBC Earth
BBC Earth also has numerous videos and documentaries on birds, their habitats, habits, and migration.
The Big Year
The Big Year is a movie that follows the stories of three competitive birders who are all vying for the title of “Birder of the Year.” It’s a fun and light-hearted look at the world of birding.
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
This is a documentary that follows the story of a man who forms a bond with a flock of wild parrots that live near his San Francisco home.
Winged Migration
A documentary that takes around the world on a journey to see the incredible migratory patterns of birds.
March of the Penguins
This is an Award-winning documentary that follows a colony of penguins in Antarctica as they travel inland to mate and raise their young.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced birder, these movies and documentaries give you great insight and appreciation for the birds of the world.
Now that you know a little more about birdwatching, why not give it a try? Head outdoors with your binoculars and see how many bird species you can find!
FAQ
What time of day is best to see birds?
The best time of day to see birds is in the early morning, before sunrise. At this time, birds are actively searching for food and are more likely to be spotted. Another good time to see birds is in the late afternoon, just before sunset. Birds are again active at this time, as they prepare for nightfall. This being said, there are always birds flying around looking for food, any time of day or night.
What does a beginner bird watcher need?
First of all, you need a good dose of patience. A good set of binoculars will also come in handy, as will a camera, whether it be a mobile phone camera or a good digital camera. Bird watching can be a very rewarding hobby, but it takes time and practice to get good at it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see anything interesting at first – keep at it, and eventually, you will start to see more and more birds.
Secondly, you need to know where to look. Birds can be found anywhere, but some places are better than others for seeing a variety of different species. Your local park is a great place to start, but you might also want to check out a nature reserve or bird sanctuary.
Finally, you need to be able to identify the birds you see. A good bird identification field guide will be very helpful as you learn about the different species of birds in your area. Once you begin to recognize some of the more common birds, you’ll be able to spot them more easily.
How do I start identifying birds?
Start with an outdoor manual or bird identification book. The book should have basic descriptions with photographs and possibly a map of each bird’s range. If you study the book in between going out and identifying birds, you will find that you can identify birds more easily.
What are some good birding ethics?
- Keep the environment clean. A good rule when going out in nature is to never leave anything behind.
- Respect the birdlife, the wildlife, and other people.
- Don’t disturb a habitat in any way, you are there to observe and then move away.
- Respect the privacy of birds and their nesting sites, especially if they are agitated.
- Be mindful of playing recordings of bird calls while out birdwatching. Bird calls are their way of communicating and many times they may be a warning. If you play something that is a warning, it may confuse the birds and cause a disturbance.
- Do not trespass on other people’s property.
- Put your phone on silent mode.
- Wear clothing that allows you to blend in with the surroundings.
- Don’t talk too loudly.