“How to Get Started Birdwatching”
Bird watching may be both one of the world’s easiest
and most difficult hobbies. This seemingly
contradictory statement can be explained because bird
watching may be pursued at many different levels, from
the most simple to the most complicated.
At its simplest level, one can be a bird watcher –
also known as a birder — simply by looking out a
window and observing the various winged creatures that
may be passing by or hopping past. On the opposite end
of the scale, one may purchase the most costly,
high-powered telescope and portable tripod and traipse
across the globe in search of some of nature’s most
marvelous and colorful creatures.
Although, for most bird watchers, the purpose for their
hobby is to gain knowledge about nature, some people
have used the observation of avian creatures as the
starting point for very serious scientific research.
Probably the most famous example of this is Charles
Darwin. He was a naturalist aboard a sailing ship,
traveling to such far-away locations as Ecuador’s
Galapagos Island. It was Darwin’s observation of
different variety of finches that led to the
development of his theory of natural selection.
It is likely that the two most important tools for a
would-be bird watcher are an identification reference
guides and visual aids. A trip to a local public
library is a good way to borrow a reference guide. Some
of the most popular and widely used books for birders
are those published by the Audubon Society.
Binoculars and telescopes are the two choices
for making it easier to see far-away birds.
Binoculars offer the advantages of being less
costly, more portable and more compact in size,
but a telescope is the first choice for the very
serious bird watcher, as their magnification is usually
superior, and, when mounted on a secure tripod, the
image is less shaky and easier to see.
One excellent way to learn about birds is to go on an
outing with an experienced naturalist. At a Migratory
Bird Sanctuary in Delta, British Columbia, Canada,
where over 280 different bird species have been
sighted, such an opportunity is offered every Sunday
morning.
For no extra charge other than the basic
admission fee, people can walk along the paths with a
veteran birder. He will point out the various resident
and migratory birds that he observes, often pointing
his telescope at an owl, snow goose, chickadee, or
whatever feathered feature catches his fancy.
Although birds are easiest to see in the winter and
early spring when there are no leaves on the trees,
birding is usually more pleasant during warmer months.
For this reason, it is equally important to be able to
identify birds by sound as it is by sight.
Like any hobby, the more one learns about a topic, the
more interesting and fascinating it becomes. After a
few walks through nearby parks and other birding areas,
one may be motivated to purchase or construct a feeding
station and bring the birds to you.
That is the easiest kind of birding, when the birds come to you,
rather than you having to go out and look for them.
This article on How to Get Started Birdwatching is brought to you by www.backyard-gardening.com
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