Are you looking for a new hobby to pick up? Do you have an extensive interest in the different species of birds everywhere that you go? Are you interested in a pastime that promotes you being outside and adventuring?
If so, then you will love birding (another term for birdwatching). It can be one of the most rewarding hobbies that you’ll ever have.
It also helps you see nature and the life of a bird from a vastly different angle. For those of you just getting started, here is how you can become a bird watcher and start building your passion today!
Research, Research, Research
The most successful bird watchers are often revered as the most intelligent of them as well. That’s no coincidence!
Bird watchers need to read up on their research in order to learn about a bird’s tendencies and where they might be able to find them.
Start by looking up the different birds that you might see in your region. The internet is a valuable tool for those of you that aren’t too knowledgeable (yet!).
But what’s most important to remember is that you don’t need to rush through this research. Bird watching is a hobby that you can have for the rest of your life! It doesn’t require any strenuous activity, so you’ll never reach an age where you can’t do it.
Because of that, take the time to read different things each day. Start out by picking up a field guide (one of a bird watcher’s biggest tools). The field guide contains several pictures, descriptions, and even maps of where you might find the birds.
Also, try and find time to use YouTube (and other video services) to learn the different voices of the birds you’ll be looking for.
Get Yourself the Proper Gear
You can’t play football without a pigskin. You can’t play chess without all of the proper board pieces. Bird watching is no different.
The more gear that you have at your disposal, the more successful at bird watching that you’ll become.
As previously mentioned, you’ll need a field guide, which will help you pinpoint the different areas you might run into different species of birds.
However, what’s just as important as the field guide is supplying yourself with an efficient set of binoculars. Many people make the mistake of purchasing the cheapest pair that they can find.
But if you buy the cheapest pair, then your bird watching experience will suffer. The images won’t be as clear, you won’t be able to look as far, etc.
If you’re looking for an in-depth review of the best compact binoculars, then check out this review on binoexpert.com.
Some of you out there won’t get full enjoyment out of birding without having a way to prove and collect all the different species of birds you see. If that’s you, then you’ll want to invest in a high-quality camera (if you don’t have one already).
Lastly, you might want to invest in a few birdfeeders. They can bring some of your favorite birds to you. Depending on the feeder type and food you fill it with, you might see Cardinals, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers, or Robins, to name a few.
Start Your Journey
Remember earlier in this article when you were told not to rush on reading up with your research? Well, you also don’t want to wait too long before starting.
The beauty of this hobby can be many things. For some bird watchers, it’s all about seeing as many different species of birds as they can.
For others, it’s the endless pursuit of trying to capture the perfect picture for each bird species in their collection.
In fact, your birding hobby might even begin to take you traveling to exotic locations in order to find them all. However, it’s best to start with your backyard.
Try going to a local park nearby that you can try to start spotting different species and identifying what they are. Practice makes perfect!
For example, you might come across a robin at your park, but is it a black robin? American robin? European robin?
You’ll find that identifying the exact species is the hardest part. The birds you see can fly away from your view in an instant, so work on processing what you saw and going through your field guide to find out what it is.
Download Helpful Apps
Technology has helped all kinds of hobbies grow, and bird watching is certainly no exception! There are several phone apps that you’ll find helpful throughout your birding adventures.
Try downloading Birdseye, which is an app that pulls all up-to-date information and provides maps for birds you can find.
There’s also the Merlin Bird ID app that allows you to download your areas local bird pack and gain insight into the different species around you.
There are several other apps that can help with your bird watching experience. Be sure to research the different ones that expert bird watchers use and recommend.
Become a Bird Watcher Starting Today!
Now that you’ve learned how to get started on becoming a bird watcher, it’s time to get things started!
Kick things off with purchasing a field guide and binoculars, the two things that every bird watcher uses the most. Take the time to find the right pair for your newfound hobby.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on hobbies, as well as many other helpful topics!
