When it comes to bird watching, there are many factors that can affect which birds you spot or if you even spot them at all. A beginner’s field guide of your area will give you a good idea of which species you can expect to spot, and in which seasons to see them. A field guide will also help you identify any birds that may be unfamiliar to you. Some of the most renowned field guides known to bird watchers are the Peterson field guides. There is a Peterson Field Guide for Eastern birds and there is one for Western birds, either are very detailed about the birds you can expect to see in your areas.
A notepad and pen are an essential addition to a bird watcher’s gear, as they can make it much less difficult to identify a bird by writing down notes and drawing pictures of the birds you have seen. It is a beginner mistake to resort to your field guide the second you see a bird. Instead, spend as long as you can observing the birds and their colors, beak colors and features, flight patterns, song notes, “chirp” patterns, size, and leg length. Scribble these things down on your notepad, and identifying the bird will become much easier than just flipping through through your field guide and guessing by looking at pictures.
Another vital piece of equipment for any bird watcher is a high quality binocular, such as Nikon Monarch ATB binoculars. As many bird watchers will tell you, the main difference in quality between a $50 binocular and a $700 binocular is fantastic. You want to be able to observe every possible detail about a bird once it is viewed, and a high quality binocular can be the difference between
seeing what you suspect may be a cardinal, or easily identifying a cardinal at first sight. With a high resolution, it will make identifying birds more simple, and you will be able to more finely observe fine color details and even the eating habits of the species.
Good listening can also affect the number of birds you are able to spot on your bird watching outings. Listen carefully for calls and songs, as these can be giveaways to what species the bird you are viewing really is. One fantastic thing about your senses is that they all may be used at once, therefore listening to a bird while observing it is very possible, and quite enjoyable. Look for beak and throat movements to make sure the bird you are observing is the one you are hearing. There are actually a few aided hearing devices used by bird watchers that can amplify the natural sounds around you in very high definition, and mute sounds as loud as a clap to protect your hearing. These may make it much easier to hear distinct call patterns and songs.
Remember, the most important|crucial|essential] things in birding is to have fun! Go out and join a group or club dedicated to birding and go on trips with your new friends. Take photos of the birds that you have observed and keep them in a photo album. No doubt that fellow bird watchers will be interested in seeing these pictures as well as sharing their knowledge with you, making birding that more pleasant. Once you have been birding for a while, you will be able to identify a bird just by seeing a glimpse of it flying by or by hearing a few chirps. Remember to always be kind to nature and the creatures that live in it, and nature will be kind to you in return.
Tags: bird watching, birding