Birding Basics: Get Ready for a New Winter Hobby

The skies and fields are still full of birds for those who know where and when to look for them. Igor Klyakhin/Shutterstock

Of all the incredible wildlife in the world, birds are among the most plentiful and varied, ranging from tiny hummingbirds to massive condors. These amazing creatures inspire a closer look, which is the essence of birdwatching, also known as birding. It’s a very easy hobby to pursue and can be done in most parts of the world year-round. The temperature outside may be falling, but the skies and fields are still full of birds for those who know where and when to look for them.

Categories of Birdwatchers

Anyone who has ever marveled at a hawk or eagle soaring overhead or smiled as a mama duck and her ducklings waddle past is technically a birder. What separates the casual birder from those for whom it’s a passion, and who may be referred to as twitchers, is the amount of time and effort expended. Most fall into the category of an appreciative observer, which simply means being happy to see an attractive bird perched on a tree in the backyard. Those who take a more active interest range from “patch birders” who observe birds in the fields and skies around home and work, to “listers,” who keep meticulous records of the species spotted, as well as the time of day and weather conditions, to “lifers,” who are ready to drop everything to respond to sightings of rare or elusive species.

A “twitcher” is perhaps the most obsessive of all birders. This group chases the rarest birds, roaming the globe laden with gear, as seen in the movie “The Big Year” in which three birders spend 12 months competing against each other in a marathon effort to spot the most species of North American birds.

Getting Involved

Birding can be a solitary pastime or done with a group of like-minded individuals. The American Birding Association (ABA.org) maintains a list of birding clubs and organizations, such as the local chapters of the Audubon Society, in every state and Canada. In some ways, birdwatching is similar to stamp or coin-collecting in that it requires the ability to focus and spot an anomaly from just a brief glance.

Just as these hobbies are often started almost by accident after discovering a rare coin or stamp, so too do many discover the fun of birding after seeing an elegant ibis, aka the “hurricane bird,” or other eye-catching species, soar past. Once that special bird is observed, it’s only natural to begin looking for others.

Because few people have an encyclopedic knowledge of avian species, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS.gov) hosts events across the country in which the public can take part in a guided tour looking for birds, which are then identified by FWS staff or other experts. The National Audubon Society (Audubon.org) offers a wide variety of field guides that can prove helpful in identifying species. The internet is also full of helpful guides, information, and chat groups.

Birding is also an activity the entire family can enjoy, spending time outdoors and bonding as everyone keeps a keen eye out for birds. Every month of the year is birding season. Those states located along a migration path, such as ducks and geese migrating south for the winter, or those in the south where Quaker parrots and other tropical species migrate north, offer particularly excellent birding opportunities.

Beginner’s Gear

While birdwatching can certainly be enjoyed with just the naked eye, the experience can be—excuse the pun—greatly magnified by using optics that include binoculars and spotting scopes. When it comes to optics, for the best results, choose the best gear; it can be very frustrating to finally locate an elusive species but not be able to see it due to low-quality optics.

Binoculars are invaluable for finding and observing birds, but for a true close-up view without disturbing the bird, a spotting scope is a must. There are many quality brands to consider, such as Riton, (RitonOptics.com) whose 5 Primal series are designed to endure the extreme conditions of hunting. The lightweight, waterproof 5 Primal binoculars feature a rugged aircraft-grade aluminum alloy housing. Ten-power magnification combined with 42 mm objectives ensures vivid detail.

After using binoculars to locate a bird, use a spotting scope to get a better look. Riton’s 5 Primal zooms in from 15-power to 45-power and utilizes a 60 mm objective that provides excellent detail even in low-light conditions. Mounted to a lightweight tripod, they are an ideal way to observe a bird’s nest.

To add another dimension, consider the Merlin Bird ID app (Merlin.AllAboutBirds.org) that analyzes the sounds of birds to assist in their identification.

Get started by simply looking up.

Feathered Friends

Here are some tips for becoming a birder.

Be Observant

Birds are everywhere, and even common species such as seagulls and crows can be fun to watch, but the first sighting of a hummingbird can make you a committed birder.

Be Respectful

Never approach a bird nest. Also, if you find an injured bird, refer to a local wildlife rescue organization for tips on what, if anything you can do to assist it.

A Closer Look

A spotting scope and binoculars are invaluable for close-up birding, to see them in flight as well as in their nest. Look for optics designed to hold up to the rigors of hunting, with rugged, waterproof construction and low-light capability.

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