Bird Watching Tips: Know the Basics

Posted by Lucille Green

March 23, 2009

by Lucille Green

Bird watching is one of the quickest growing outside leisure activities and if you are considering taking it up there are some suggestions that will make this experience more pleasant. For birdwatching beginners, identifying any bird can be difficult as they move quickly, giving you a limited window of chance So you’ll have to do your best to discern as many details as possible in a short period of time. When you finally do see a bird, ensure to make the best of the time to make sure you document it’s markings, the calls it makes, and it’s color along with what sort of food it takes. Alternatively, you can make sketches of things you observe but make sure that you always make the most of the time you have with that species.

Birdwatching can also be an auditory activity and many birds will reflect this by the sounds they make so listening to a bird’s vocalization is simple but it can also easy to forget. When identifying a certain song to a bird, notice the movement of the bill this will tell you if is indeed coming from that specific bird. Knowing or estimating the approximate size and shape will give many clues about the bird’s family so start with what the bird looks like and go from there but also take note of the body shape and silhouette. Take note of the shape of the head, and it’s features the bird’s mouth can also be a very important identifying feature then once this is done, look at the bird’s body, wings and tail finishing with the legs.

Watch closely to how the bird moves because this can also determine the specie try to determine what kind of food the bird eats. Pay attention to the region you saw the bird in, and note the climate once the bird has left you’ll easily be able to determine the region since every region houses a different species, which is widely dependent on the weather in the region. write down the area you saw the bird in keeping in mind that birds tend to migrate so make sure that you have taken into consideration the time of the year. Write down anything that you have noticed, since those details will later help you when you sit down and try to identify the species.

Equipment wise, a pair of good binoculars helps to locate and identify the distant birds and many bird watchers will wear camouflage so that birds won’t spot them and be spooked. Make sure you wear long sleeved shirts and long pants…no shorts in the woods leech socks will keep you safe from blood sucking leeches. Field boots will keep your feet dry as well as give you good traction. Some parks will provide shelters for bird watchers most parks feature different types of shelter and will help you in your bird watching activities.

When you are out bird watching with friends and family and you see a rare species, make sure you give clear directions by telling them what the bird is near once everyone knows where the bird is in general, start giving detailed directions. Once the person is looking at the right object, give directions using clock hands and times as directions To give the proper directions, make sure you practice when you go out birdwatching by yourself.

Remember, bird watching is a recreational activity that you can only utilize to it’s full potential how to get the best results.

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