by Dave Joa
How To Have More Fun When You Are Watching Birds!
Watching birds is fun because birds are fun and it enables you to get outdoors, out of town and see wild birds that you would not see in your yard. Just seeing birds doing what they do everyday is an exiting hobby for anyone who likes to see birds at the bird feeders and bird houses in their yard.
More and more people are now becoming bird watchers and birding will continue to become more popular. More time means more birding time and longer bird watching trips can take place. Also bird watching generates and appreciation for nature, our environment and the fact that we need to protect habitat for the birds.
If you are new to bird watching or birding then it will help you if you have some idea of the best way to approach your new hobby to ensure that when you go out looking for birds you will be successful in seeing some. Putting up a bird feeder in your yard is a good way to start but once your interest increases you will want to go further afield to see more and different birds.
Making An Early Start Is A Great Idea!
In order to see the greatest number of birds possible an early start is imperative as this when the birds are most active. Wherever your birding trip takes you, you will always have more success early in the morning even if it is in your yard, in a local park or woods or on a beach.
After a good rest you will need to be prepared to get up very early and be on location at dawn. This will ensure you get to the right place before the birds become active and your arrival will not disturb them. The couple of hours or so after dawn are the busiest time for birds and you will surprised at how many you see. If you arrive late you will see less birds.
Only Wear Darker Dull Colors – Nothing Bright!
Bright colored clothes will scare the birds as they will see you easier and take avoiding action by diving into the nearest bushes as soon as they detect your movements and because of this you will not see many birds.
As a birder you should try and wear clothing that has a more natural and darker color that fits in with the area and foliage where you will be bird watching.
It is a great idea to wear anything that will camouflage you when in the birds habitat while bird watching. Get the ultimate gear if you want to see the biggest number of birds or when you go into an area where birds are nervous and difficult to see.
Try Not To Talk And Also Walk Quietly
Noise is probably the major reason for failing to see many birds so be quiet. Talking with friends and other birders will mean birds will be scared away before you see them and also you will not hear any sounds that the birds make so you will not even know that they are nearby.
Always communicate with others very quietly and whisper if necessary and when closer to the birds use hand signals to indication the location of the birds, but do not raise you arm to point out the birds as they will easily see this and be off!
Try and remain behind larger things like tree trunks and bushes so that the birds do not see your silhouette or any movement as this will disturb them and they might leave in a hurry.
Please Do Not Wander Around Off Trail – It’s Noisy!
Never chase the birds or try other techniques aimed at flushing out a bird from the undergrowth as this will just stress them and they will fly off anyway so you will not get a chance to see them. Stick to the trail at all times to avoid disturbing the birds and you will get much better views.
The best approach is to get yourself into a good position and let the birds come to you. This requires more patience but it is an approach that definitely works and you will see many more birds this way.
Never approach too close to a bird and never go near a birds nest during the breeding season but just leave them in peace to get on with their nesting.
Birding Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Are Essential Equipment
Watching birds from a distance is major requirement when birding as many do not allow close views so you will need a good pair of binoculars and when you become a more experienced birder you may feel the need to get a spotting scope to give much closer views of the birds you want to see.
Being out in nature and watching the birds is a good recipe for enjoying yourself. Although it can be challenging it is easy and inexpensive to take up and is always a lot of fun.
It is easy to begin by just putting up bird feeders and bird houses for nesting in your yard and get enjoyment from watching the birds as they come and go.
Enjoy Your Wild Bird Watching!
Go out early bird watching to see more and better birds.
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 at 5:49 am and is filed under Pets.
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