There are nearly 10,000 different bird species around the world. If you’re interested in starting a new hobby, bird watching can be a great choice.
Bird watching can be a great way to pass the time if you love wildlife. However, before you go on a bird-watching excursion, there are some things that you’ll want to do to get ready.
Here’s how you can prepare for your first bird-watching excursion.
Know What Your Goals Are
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A great first step to watching birds is to decide what you want to accomplish. Your destination choice may vary based on whether you’re interested in seeing a certain type of bird or if you’re just interested in seeing as many different types as you can.
It’s a good idea to think about what you want to get out of bird watching before you go out. This will give you the best chance of having a great time on your bird watching tour.
Bring a Bird Book
When going on a birding trip, it’s a good idea to bring a bird guidebook with you. You might want to purchase a book before you go out bird watching.
A bird book can be very useful for identifying the birds you see and can tell you a lot of interesting information about each one.
As an alternative, you might want to download a bird-watching app. An app can also be useful for helping you identify the birds you see as well.
Find a Great Location
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While you can do some great bird watching in your own backyard, it can be a good idea to think carefully about where you want to spend some time birding. You might have a better time in a nearby park or public location rather than at home.
If you have time, you might want to go to a few different places during your bird-watching excursion. This way, you can determine which is the best and what the differences between each location are.
Don’t Scare Them Away
Remember that once you choose a bird-watching location, you’ll want to be careful about your approach. Make sure that you’re not getting too close to the birds or you may scare them away.
You want to find a good bench to sit on or another great spot to sit and watch. Making too many movements or getting too close could make it less likely that you’ll spot interesting birds in the area.
Remember to be mindful about your approach if you don’t want to miss out on some great bird sightings during a day of bird-watching.
Consider Going In the Morning
Remember that if you want to find plenty of birds while bird watching, you’re better off going in the morning. The morning time is when birds go out to look for food and they’ll be more active during this time.
On the other hand, birds won’t be as active around noon, so you’ll have trouble spotting them as much during this time.
While you can watch for birds at any time of day, you may want to rise early if you want to have the best time with your new hobby.
Get the Right Birding Gear
source:birdslife.co.uk
Before going bird watching, it can be helpful to get a few types of gear. The main thing they’ll probably want to have is either binos or monoculars so you can get a close-up view of any birds that you spot.
In addition to this, it’s also a good idea to bring a camera with you. Whether you bring a professional camera or a smartphone is up to you, but doing so can be well worth it and can help you document your sightings.
Wear Warm Clothing
You’ll also want to put some thought into the clothing you wear when going bird-watching for the first time as well.
Remember that if you’re going in the early morning, it could be a bit colder so you’ll want to bring warm clothes to wear. Be sure to focus on comfort first and foremost when choosing clothes for bird watching.
In addition to this, make sure to consider the colors that you wear as well. Choosing some colors that will blend in with the environment you’re in can be helpful.
To get the maximum amount of camouflage during your excursion, you may want to opt for green, brown, or beige colors with any clothing or jackets that you wear.
Bring a Checklist With Your
In addition to taking photos of any birds that you see, it can be worth keeping a log of all the birds that you spot.
Consider creating a checklist for the birds that you’re interested in seeing in your area. Chances are that there are a variety of different bird varieties wherever it is that you live. With a checklist, you’ll be able to check them off one by one as you see them.
Keeping a checklist can make bird-watching even more fun. A checklist can help you remember exactly what you’ve seen during your bird-watching excursion.
Having a Great Bird Watching Excursion With These Tips
source:thebirdguide.com
If you’re thinking about going bird watching and want to have a great time on your first excursion, be sure that you prepare a bit beforehand. By choosing the location carefully, getting some binoculars, and wearing the right clothing, you’re sure to have a great time.
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