a bird they’ve never seen before, it’s not surprising to see a
clamoring for the latest tips and tools to get the job done.
Here are my top five tips for getting the most out of your
birding experience.
#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds obvious, but many birders spend the
majority of their bird watching time and energy on poor locations. Some folk
have the advantage of looking out of their windows into the back yard to observe
nature’s best. The rest of us need to get moving. I would highly recommend
visiting a National Wildlife Refuge. There are over 500 of them across the
United States. To find one near you, visit
http://refuges.fws.gov/
#2. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species of birds in
the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you
visit an area, do a little research first. You may find that perhaps only a few
species actually inhabit that particular area. With a little preparation, you
will be able to more readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list
of successfully viewed species – we’ll call this tip number two and a half.
#3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending time and money to get to the right
place can be totally wasted when your binoculars are inadequate. If you have an
inexpensive pair of binoculars you are not getting the most out of your viewing.
Today’s technologies come at a price and they provide crucial benefits in
wildlife viewing. For instance, image stabilization will keep your view from
shaking-very important when watching from a long distance. Other cool features
include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics.
Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identify
birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhance your bird
watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a mediocre experience into a
great one. You can count on it!
#4. Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially birds, is
to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on target. Many people
have difficulty finding a full moon in a pair of binoculars-but alas-learning to
focus on a bird in a bush or track a bird in flight is easy for someone who has
practiced prior to their outing. Try this before you go; lower your binoculars
to your side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner
across the sky. After only a few attempts, you’ll get good at quickly acquiring
your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practice to
become proficient.
#5. Take Someone with You. Life is always better when shared. Not only do you
get to spend time out of doors with someone you like, but they might alert you
to the “Number One Sight of the Day.” Share your birding experiences with your
friends and family. Pass the birding excitement to a child.
The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer, control almost
every aspect of the experience. The more you are prepared, the more rewarding
your time in our backcountry will be. Follow these 5 simple tips to get the most
out of birding. Get Outdoors!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online
store providing backcountry specialty gear and educational information for
outdoor enthusiasts. Visit
www.BackCountryToys.com to receive the free newsletter "FreshAir” or call
(800) 316-9055.
