Bird Watching for Beginners

Why you should go bird watching?

Bird watching has immense benefits, both for the environment and for your mental health. Watching birds can help to protect wildlife, as it encourages people to appreciate and take action to help conserve wildlife. Doing so helps to ensure that the birds we seek out will have the proper habitat they need to thrive.

Bird watching gets you off the couch and into a new wonderful world of exploration and appreciation. Look at the young owls above, just fledged from the nest and tell me you are not moved! But it doesn't end there. Getting out into nature also means you will come across other amazing animals and stunning locations. I never would have taken the photograph below if I hadn't been looking for birds.

Milford Sound, New Zealand

Bird watching also helps with relaxation and reducing anxiety. Watching birds in their natural habitats creates peace and tranquillity. It encourages people to look beyond their own backyard, which can help expand horizons and bring forth a sense of adventure. Additionally, bird watching can encourage socializing, as people share their knowledge and experiences with other bird watchers.

One of the best reasons I go bird watching is that it takes me to the most incredible places across the world. From the Grand Canyon to the Great Barrier Reef, bird watching gives me a purpose and a focus. Additionally, as you look for interesting birds, you will inevitably see other wonderful creatures like whales, deer, capybara and snakes. And sometimes, you might find the downright weird like this Wallaroo.

What equipment do you need?

If you are starting to get into bird watching, you might be wondering what type of equipment you need. Of course, you do not need any special equipment, but having the right gear can really improve your experience. Here is a list of the basic equipment you need to start bird watching.

- Binoculars: Binoculars are essential for being able to identify birds and see them up close. They come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to choose the right pair for you.

- Telescope: Telescopes are great for long-distance viewing of birds, so they are especially useful to those birders who are looking to watch birds in more remote areas.

- Bird Identification Guidebook: To get started, a good bird identification guidebook can help you identify the birds you see in your area.

- Bird Feeders and Bird Houses: Set up bird feeders and bird houses in your backyard as a way to attract more birds.

- Field Notes/Journal: It is a good idea to keep a journal or field notes of your bird watching experiences. This way, you can keep track of the birds you have seen and note any interesting habits or observations.

- Research the migratory patterns of birds in your area. Different birds migrate at different times of the year, so understanding the migration patterns of the birds in your area can help you know when and where to find them.

- Go birding with a friend. Joining a birding club or going birding with a knowledgeable friend can help you learn more about the birds in your area and maybe find new spots to watch them.

What birds will you see?

Now that you know where to look for birds and how to equip yourself for the activity, the next important step to bird watching is finding out which birds to look for. Different birds prefer different habitats and can only be found in specific regions, so understanding the birds in your area can help you become an expert bird watcher.

A great place to start looking for birds is actually online. eBird is a citizen science database with a huge amount of information about bird sightings, all entered by ordinary birders like you and me. Within it, you can search for locations and see what has been reported there or investigate specific bird species including where they can be found. It is an invaluable resource.

Giving back to the community

Giving back to the bird watching community is an important part of bird watching. The more people that participate, the larger and more involved the bird watching community will become. There are a few ways that you can give back to the bird watching community.

1. Get involved with a bird watching club – local bird watching clubs are a great way to meet other bird watchers, share bird spotting experiences and help out your local bird population.

2. Participate in bird counts – bird counts are usually performed annually and are used to track population trends for certain bird species. Participating in a bird count is an easy way to give back.

3. Become a citizen scientist – citizen science programs allow volunteers to collect data on birds, either in the field or at home. This data can provide valuable insights into bird behaviour and population trends.

4. Support conservation causes – Bird conservation is important for the survival of bird populations, so supporting conservation organizations, like the National Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council, is an important way to give back to the birdwatching community.

5. Donate to bird conservation organizations – donating to bird conservation organizations is an easy way to support their cause, and most organizations will accept monetary donations.

6. Spread the word about bird watching – start a blog or social media page about bird watching and spread the word about birds and bird conservation. This is a great way to encourage others to get involved and support birds.

To wrap things up

Whether you are a beginner, a seasoned bird watcher, or a citizen scientist, you can help birds and their habitats in the bird watching community. Taking small steps, such as picking up trash, installing bird feeders, or planting trees and shrubs, can make a huge difference in the lives of birds and in the bird watching community.

These steps and more can be done to make the world a better place for birds and people alike. Becoming educated, joining bird organizations, and taking an active interest in birds can also help.

Bird watching is a great way to bring awareness to the bird population and their habitats worldwide. It's a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy the peacefulness of just sitting and observing the beauty that birds bring to our lives.

By following these tips, you can develop your skills, practice responsible bird watching, and become an active member of the bird watching community.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between bird watching, birding and twitching?

There are all sorts of terms for bird watchers and they usually refer to the amount of obsession a person has. Bird watchers are usually people who like to see birds where ever they happen to be while birders and twitchers are people who travel purposely to look for specific species.

How do I find out what a bird is that I can't identify?

Take photos is the best way. There are lots of forums and social media pages that can help identify birds in photos. If you can't get a photo, then try to make notes using the 5 S system. That includes shape, shade, size, sound, space. You can then refer to a bird book or check out my Bird Identification page.

Why are people obsessed with bird watching?

I don't know. It crept up on me starting with an increasing interest in nature and developed into a total obsession. One day you are normal and then suddenly you are crying because you have seen a Crested Caracara. My only regret is that I didn't discover it years ago!