Did you know that there are over a thousand species of birds in the US?
If you’re into nature and have a natural curiosity about the world, birding may be a great hobby for you. Birding is an easy hobby that’s perfect for any nature-lover looking for a new hobby. The best part is, you can enjoy birdwatching from the comfort of your home.
If you’re interested in birdwatching, this is the article for you. Read on for a basic birdwatching guide to help you get started.
Why You Should Get Into Birding
Birding is a fun, educative hobby you can get into at any age. One great thing about birdwatching is that it helps you build up important life skills.
Nowadays, one of the best ways to relieve stress is by reconnecting with nature. That’s the exact way birding works, and it’s pretty affordable! After getting binoculars, other costs like travel fees are easy to compromise.
Unlike other hobbies, you can birdwatch at any place, anytime. It doesn’t limit you to enjoying the activity at a certain place. You also get to make a lot of discoveries and learn a lot along the way.
The birdwatching activity is also a great social activity. It’s something you can enjoy with your family or your local birding club.
What You Need When Birdwatching
Before you begin birding, it’s essential to learn the basics of how to start birdwatching. To start, get the right equipment to help you along the way.
Bird Guides
Bird guides help birders learn and identify the bird species they encounter. They can either come in ID cards, bird books, or mobile apps. These guides can also help you in faster recognition of the birds you rarely see.
Binoculars
Choosing binoculars in birding is like choosing your camera in photography. It’s important that you get a pair of binoculars that have more magnification. This makes it easier for you to identify birds at a far distance.
How To Start Birding
When you start birding, you need to know the things that can make all your birdwatching trips a success. Apart from the right equipment and attitude, you should also have a working strategy.
The first is to get to know your local bird population. This also includes the birds that are around for the whole year. Begin identifying these birds through sight and sound.
Once you’re able to identify these birds, start observing their habits. This could mean their feeding time or their favorite nesting places. Other birds may eat from a bird feeder the community prepared for them.
The longer you observe them, you can also know if they need help with their nests. You can read more about birds’ nests in this article.
Knowing where to watch birds and at which time is also important. The chances of finding and discovering new bird species will be higher if you get the time and location right.
Your Quick and Easy Birdwatching Guide
Birdwatching is a great hobby to start, especially if you’re well-prepared for it. This birdwatching guide gives you a quick overview to begin your birding journey. Remember these things, and you’ll get to discover new things about you and nature every trip you’ll take.
Interested in learning more about birds and other unique hobbies? Check out our other blog posts to discover more!