2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

Bird watching is the observation of birds.  It may also be known as birding.  A favorite pastime or hobby for many people, according to US Fish and Wildlife Service there are currently 51.3 million birders in the United States alone and this number continues to grow.  Bird watching is a great way to spend time outside and enjoy the natural habitats in which different birds live.  Bird watching entails both your visual and auditory senses.  At times you may hear the bird before you see it.  Bird watching is a great for anyone that loves variety and a challenge while pursuing their hobby.

Tools for the Beginning Bird Watcher

There are definite tools that you will need to get started with your new hobby.  First on your list should be a good reference book or two.  The book should be one in which can easily find the bird that you may be specifically looking for or one that helps you to identify the type of bird that you have seen.  There are many great field guides to choose from to get the perfect book for you.  Check with your local bookstore. The next items on your list are pencils and a pad or journal.  A journal is a wonderful way to record where you have spotted a specific bird as well as keeping notes about the bird’s habitat and activities.   The next essential tool that the beginning bird watcher will need is a pair of binoculars.  The old adage “you get what you pay for” is true with binoculars.  It is important that you choose binoculars that will allow you to clearly see the subtle features of the birds you are looking for.  Most bird watchers choose a 7 or 8 power magnification and a 32 to 42 objective lens.  These numbers will read 8×32 and is usually recommended for the beginning birder.  Birders that wear glasses should look for binoculars that have a long eye relief. A long eye relief will provide an unrestricted view.  An 8×32 binocular will give a wider view and are easier to hold steady.  There are a number of other pieces of equipment that you can buy, but with these listed here you can easily get started with your new hobby.

Where, oh where are all of the birds?

You have your tools and are ready to get started bird watching.  Where do you start first?  There are a number of great ways to find the right spot to start bird watching the first of which being your backyard.  This helps you to learn to use your references, what you want to document, and getting the feel for using your binoculars.  Besides, the backyard can provide a wide range of birds that are fascinating to watch and identify. Some of the factors that you should consider are the time of year, time of day, and the habitat in which you live.  This helps you to learn what birds live in your area and gives you a starting point. 

Exploring the Bird Watchers World

Once you feel comfortable with the basic tools and observe a few birds you will want to spread your wings.  There is a whole world to explore and groups to join if you so choose.  Resources for groups, trips, vacations and specific species of birds can easily be found by doing a little research.  The Audubon Society is a great place to start.  Visit your local library for current birding magazines. Searching the Internet can also help you to find what you are looking for. 

Bird watching, or birding, is a wonderful hobby for anyone that loves our fine-feathered friends.  By yourself in the backyard or on an exotic vacation, you will always have a wonderful time with this hobby.  The main thing to remember is to have fun!

Flight has always captured people’s attention.  Whether it is a propelled machine of human technology, or the soaring of feathered creatures, people, with feet planted firmly on the ground, will crane their heads upward, as they are in awe of the marvelous power of flight.  However, it is the beauty and majesty of the birds that display the greatest shows to those in admiration, as it is these species of nature, which are the truest of aviators.

The truest admirers of birds take delight in their natural abilities and marvels of flight, with absolutely not a single desire to cage, confine, coop, or hunt them.  These connoisseurs of such natural splendors of these fascinating and inspiring originators of winged flight are drawn to what is referred to as bird watching.

Men and Women of all ages, as well as children, can easily and accessibly become involved in the activity of bird watching.  Birds can be observed from any outside

environment and in all locations and settings.  All that one needs to become avidly involved are the accouterments of binoculars and a hat. And, for serious bird watchers, the supplemental enhancements of a map, a guidebook to reference the different species of birds, and a notebook to jot down the different birds viewed, along with possibly a digital camera.

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed that bird watching is the most rapid growing activity among Americans seeking an outdoor activity.  Therefore, the fledgling bird watcher is in good company.  For camaraderie, interested individuals can enjoy the social aspects of a bird watchers or birding club, with locating such a group being as simplistic as getting online or through the local chamber of commerce.

The rewards and benefits of bird watching are considerable.  In today’s society, it is definitely a Green Activity.  For the budget minded, it’s an interest or hobby of minimal cost.  From the aspects of health, it provides plenty of fresh air, along with a degree of exercise at a relaxing, varying and modest pace.  Observation of these incredible winged gifts of nature constantly increases one’s knowledge of the habits of birds amid various habitats, as well as the considerable variety of species, which amounts to eight hundred in North America alone.  As a natural antidote to the hectic and stressful pace that presently confronts so many individuals, the watching of birds can offer immense solitude.  Families can also foster and derive shared interest, along with spending valued quality time together.  Forget the instrumental tunes of the I Pods, portable DVD players and the like, and take pleasurable contentment in the natural songs of the feathered musicians.  Watching birds can be a sport enjoyed by one’s self, with a family, or in a group.

In ancient times, birds were regarded as omens by various civilizations, as it was once believed that these winged creatures could forecast future events, on the observations of their directions of flight and variations of sound.  Presently, the health of a particular environment can be partially determined by the significance of scientific study.  Hence, the study of birds can provide us with a prospective view of nature in comparison to ecological effects, as a conduit between society and nature. 

For those of us who like to spend as much time as we can quietly stalking and watching other creatures, we may find that it’s impossible to do so with your fellow human beings. Birds however, being infinitely smaller and unaware of the forces that follow and watch them are perfect for backyard viewing.

There are some basic rules and procedures to make your back yard bird watching sessions as enjoyable as possible. Birds are surprisingly predictable creatures, not unlike you or me. You find a place where there’s ample food, water, and sunlight and one will surely find its way there eventually. Finding a nearby spot to stake out the eventual arrival of your fine feathered friend is as easy as a hollow beside a tree or a well groomed pad behind an untrimmed hedge.

Once you’ve found your quiet, empty place to hide, in which you’re sitting quietly, not making any loud sounds, and most assuredly wearing something not too bright, you’re ready to stalk some birds. One tip that’s been offered a few times is the old switcheroo routine. Birds aren’t quite able of adding past one or so. If you set up a nice alcove or box within which you can hide and watch your birds feeding you can trick them into thinking you’re not really there.

Simply supply food in a bird feeder every day. As soon as you walk away, your subject will fly in and take the offered food. Now, take a friend with you and quickly hide inside your box, or alcove, or whatever enclosed area you choose, and have that friend walk away. The bird should be sufficiently fooled by your trick and fly in for the food, leaving you within prime viewing distance to watch him feed.

Another common stalking trick is to make bird-like noises, a kind of squeak or hiss. Known as splishing, the sound will occasionally draw a bird near, intrigued by your attempt at its language. While this doesn’t always work, it’s very successful when it does.

The art of bird watching (and stalking) starts on a very simple level with the wits and know how to outthink a bird and make them think they’re safe in your presence long enough for you to watch them. Once you get started you find there are hundreds of little aspects of how birds think and act that you can learn from and eventually exploit to get a better view.

For the avid backyard birding enthusiast, there are a few things that must be remembered at all times; don’t wear bright colors, don’t make any noise, and birds, like any creature, like food. If you feed them they will likely come closer to you than if you just sit in a bush quietly waiting for one to appear. As an added perk, the placement of a birdfeeder in your backyard might keep your neighbor’s from asking you why you’re sitting in a bush peering into the sky for hours at a time.

Having that bird feeder is a great addition to any backyard but it also makes it that much easier to get a peek at your quarry. What will you feed them though to keep different species flying through all times of the year? There are many options, but the most important thing to remember is to keep it varied. If you feed the same thing every day, all year, you’ll only attract a few birds at certain times of the year. A little variation will allow you to discover and watch a few different species.

Head to your local nursery, gardening center, or bird-feeding specialty shop for as many options as possible for feeding birds. Clerks there should be able to help you find exactly what you’re looking for to attract a specific species. Keep in mind though that no matter what kind of food you put out and how time sensitive its presence is, it does you no good if your food goes to other creatures, or worse yet can’t be found.

Place a few different feeders throughout your backyard, making the food as accessible as possible without attracting an entire flock of the hungry little guys. You’ll want to try and make the feeders as squirrel proof as possible Other small woodland creatures will sniff out and find your feeders a perfect source for their own daily nutrition if you don’t curb it right away. You can buy a specifically squirrel-proof feeder at most bird-feeding stores.

And last but not least, don’t forget the importance of water. Like any animal, the bird will be thirsty and while the summer time offers plenty of options in hoses and sprinkler systems, the fall through the early spring are dry months for a traveling bird. If you offer a bird bath or two and a renewable source of water alongside your food, you’ll have more birds than you’ll know what to do with, and that snoopy neighbor won’t be forced to come over and berate you out of the bushes.