All About Bird Watching

You Need to Wear a Vest When You Go Bird Watching

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When you go bird watching, it will be hours before you call it a day and go home. Instead of putting everything you need in a backpack, you can have a few items with you especially when you are wearing a vest.

The bird watching vest has a lot of pockets. In total, there are about 20 pockets of different sizes! You can use the upper pockets to hold the lens cap, pair of sunglasses or a small pencil. On the other hand, you can use the lower pockets to hold your bird book, binoculars, camera and a few other small items.

One of the features of the bird watching vest is due to its lightweight material specifically cotton and the mesh lining allows for free air movement around your body. As a result, you will not feel any discomfort wearing it for hours because of the ventilation on both sides. This makes it ideal during hot weather and at the same time cold weather since you can expand the straps and wear this over even the bulkiest coat.

The bird watching vest comes in different sizes. The smallest one is good for someone’s who’s chest size is between 34 to 38 inches while the biggest can fit someone who has a chest size between 55 and 56 inches. Some shops offer custom made orders so you have to wait at least a week or two before this can be made.

Bird watching vests also come in different colors so if you want to get close to the birds without being detected, make sure the color you choose should blend in with the surroundings. The more common colors for bird watchers are green, khaki and olive.

If you think this is different than what people use when they go hunting or fishing, think again because this is also what they use. It’s only limitation is that should it rain, the bird watching vest is neither waterproof nor water resistant so you better have a jacket or umbrella to keep yourself dry until the weather improves if there is no shade around.

You can buy your very own bird watching vest in the sporting goods store or online. These usually sell for less than $100 and these are also machine-washable making it easily to clean.

If you don’t want to wash it yet, you can just hang this behind the door and put it on the next time you plan to go out again.

Aside from brand news from the sporting goods store or online, you can also try looking at surplus vests which are much cheaper. These cost less than $10 each which isn’t bad because you will be using it the same way like you would a brand new one.

You should know by now that not all the bird species are confined to where you reside. This means that you will see other birds in other states and even other countries.

So when you are packing your things, don’t forget to bring along your bird watching vest. This together with other items like your pair of binoculars, notebook, mosquito repellant and even camera will make your bird watching field trip just as good as the previous one. So get everything together and have some fun!

You Need a Pair of Binoculars When You Go Bird Watching

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Bird watching is a great hobby unfortunately you have to stay at a certain distance so you will be able to see them. For that, you will need to get a pair of binoculars which you purchase online or from any sporting goods store.

When you are buying a pair of binoculars, you should pay attention to the magnification. If it says 8x25 or 8x40, the number 8 means how many times the bird will be enlarged when you use it. For those who do not understand what this means, just picture the bird a little bit closer towards you even if you are 500 or even 1000 yards away from the bird.

These days, there are binoculars that are 10x but it should be pointed out that anything higher than that is not always good because it affects the brightness of the image as well as the field of view. If you decide to so, what you are carrying is heavy and you will need a tripod.

The second number in the binoculars is the diameter or width of each front lens. The higher it is, the better because it allows more light to enter so you are able to see the image more clearly.

If you think getting a compact pair of binoculars is just as good as the big one, think again because smaller ones only have a narrow field of view. This means that if the bird you are watching flies off, you won’t be able to track its movement unlike the bigger one which has a wider field of view.

When looking for a pair of binoculars, you should also find out if it is waterproof. This will allow you to use it even during harsh conditions since you are sure that it will not fog. This will also make it less likely that dirt or dust will ever damage the lens.

Now that you know what to look for when buying pair of binoculars, the only thing to do now is check out what is available. There are many brands of binoculars in the market. While some of these are affordable, there are other which are quite expensive so it all boils down to how much you are willing to spend for it.

If you have found a certain item that is within your budget, pick it up so you can get a feel of it. If the binoculars is just right and you will not have a hard time carrying it, then you should already pick this one and then bring it with you on your next bird watching field trip.

Bird watching will be much easier when you have a pair of binoculars because without it, you will have a hard time seeing the birds when they will mostly likely fly off if you get too near. Some of the brands to choose from include Bushnell, Nikon, Pentax, Swarovski and Zeiss so be sure to get one that is good value for your money.

For people who don’t want to carry a pair of binoculars when they go bird watching, they can use a rifle scope. It’s smaller than the binoculars and only has one lens which is just as good as long as you followed the same guidelines listed above.

You Can Still Enjoy Bird Watching Using a Scope

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A telescope or scope for short is what some people use when they go bird watching. Some people prefer to use this over the binoculars because according to them, the optics is much better.

There are two scopes to choose from for you bird watchers. The first is the straight scope which is very similar to what hunters have on their rifles because the eyepiece and the body of the scope are on the same axis. The second is the angled scope with the eyepiece angled to 45 degrees from the scope body which allows the user to look down instead of up or wherever the bird is.

When you are buying straight or angled scope, there are some similarities and differences. When buying a straight scope, be sure that it is relatively unobtrusive so you will be able to shift focus easily should the bird suddenly fly off making it easy for you to track where it goes.

If you are also a bird watcher and a hunter at the same time, pick one that has other features such as illumination and markings as this will tell you bullet drop and wind direction. You should also check if the scope you are purchasing has detachable rings. This will allow you to easily change scopes if the conditions change.

For the angled scope, weight is still a factor especially when you are carrying it until you find an ideal spot to go bird watching. Once you set it and mount it on a tripod, you can turn it in any direction without even looking into the lens to find a bird.

Regardless of what kind of scope you are planning to buy, the best place to get this is from a local gun shop or sporting goods store. If the items are a bit pricey, remember the model number and the brand of the one you like and try to find the same item online.

The ideal scope to get should be 9x36 which means that you can see nine times beyond the normal range and the diameter or field of view is about 36mm. The new ones in the market have magnifications ranging between 20x and 60x in normal daylight conditions with an objective lens diameter of about 50 to 80 mm but getting one between 20x and 30x is just about right.

When shopping for the lens, don’t forget to check if this is waterproof. This will allow you to use it when it rains or even under harsher conditions.

To give you an idea of what brands that sell scopes, high end ones are sold by Leica, Swarovski and Zeiss. Mid range ones are sold by Kowa, Nikon and Pentax. The lower end brand which is still quite useful for those who enjoy bird watching is Bushnell.

Proper care must be given to your scope. It has to be stored and cleaned properly each time it is brought out and stored so you are sure that it is good as new just like the day you brought it home from the sporting goods store.

You can’t go bird watching without either a scope or a pair of binoculars. You can use whichever you are most comfortable with because that is all that matters when you are outdoors.

Bird Watching List Software to Track Birds You have seen.

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Bird watching is one hobby that you won’t get tired of because there are plenty of birds out there in the world which you have not seen. To keep track of them, it will be much easier to download or purchase bird watching list software.

Bird watch software is different from the bird watching list software because the first one mainly focuses on only a few types of birds. You cannot add new information unlike the other which is what it was specifically made to do.

With the bird watching list software installed in your computer, the task of classifying and identifying a species of birds is easier to do. This is because the program is designed to let you save the date and time that you saw the bird since the images can be uploaded from your digital camera. You can even share this information with fellow bird watchers.

You won’t find bird watching software in computer stores so go online. Thee are some who offer a free trial and after 30 days or so and if you are happy with it, only then will you pay for the program. To make sure that the program never goes out of date, most of the developers issue new updates which can be easily installed into your computer.

But before you download or buy any of the bird watch listing software around, compare the features that each one offers. Is it compatible with your existing operating system? If it is but your computer is already slow, consider upgrading it or buy a new one.

One of the features you should look for when you are searching for a bird watch listing software is if it will be able to create a list for different birds. This will make it easier to search for these images later on based on location or country.

If you will be going bird watching out of the country, make sure you have a lot of memory cards since it will be some time before you will be able to upload everything into your bird watch listing software.

Will bird watch listing software replace the guide book usually given out the visitor’s booth? The answer is no because wherever you go, there is a different one being given to the tourists. You have to remember that there are birds which you will never find back home so there is always something unique each time you go on a bird watching trip.

Bird watching is a great hobby and you can start anytime regardless of your age. You may not need the bird watching software when you are just starting out but when you have seen a lot already, you should consider getting one.

Remember, get the bird watch listing software that is compatible with your computer and is updated by the programmers on a regular basis. This will make sure that what you have is never out of date since new and better ones are released.

If you are not happy with your bird watch listing software, consider getting a new one. Don’t forget to transfer all the files first so can finally get rid of the old one and work with a better system.

You Got to Love Birding

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Birding, if you haven’t heard the term yet is actually a term used interchangeably with bird watching. At times, however, birding is used to describe a method of bird watching where bird sounds are used to call and help spot birds. In Shakespearean literature, birding is synonymous with bird hunting. Now, there’s one more term that you might have encountered in this field, and that’s “twitcher”. A twitcher is someone that goes out of his way, often traveling long distances just to get a chance to see rare species of birds. Whether you are a bird watcher or twitcher, there’s one thing that’s certain, you got to love bird watching.

The history of bird watching is not as pretty as you might think. Early bird watchers like Gilbert White, George Montagu, John Clare, and many others did began observing birds for aesthetics and for scientific studies and research. However, during the Victorian Era, there was a clamor for collecting bird eggs and bird skins. This could have led to unnecessary bird hunting. For centuries, birds were shot and mounted to be studied and displayed. Eventually, humans came to their senses and calls for stricter bird protection policies became a sort of movement before the turn of the 1900s.

Today, bird watching involves the use of binoculars, photography gears, and even drawing and painting equipment. The practice is also not limited to scientists and the like who observe birds in their natural habitat to get precise documentations of different species. Bird watching has trickled down to the laymen who watch birds to have a change to get to enjoy nature, first and foremost.

Birds watching groups have made the practice even more popular. Groups will often organize a weekly trip to different spots where they can get a glimpse of different kinds of birds in their natural environment. The existence of a number bird watching guides and related publications is a sort of testimony on the popularity of this hobby.

Some other reasons why this particular hobby began to be popular is the access to the tools of the trade. When the Second World War was over, military binoculars became cheaply available to the public. As technologies progressed, so did the gear used for bird watching. From binoculars to spotting scopes and even audio equipment used for identifying bird calls and noises, some bird watchers have become gear obsessed. Photography and video equipment have become a major factor for this hobby as well. Specialized lenses that can capture birds from great distances have become a major concern.

The publication of several books on birds and bird watching instigated an interest in the hobby as well. Today, it seems bird watching remains to be a hobby preferred by only a few. Nevertheless, one study has found out that Americans for one are becoming more interested in bird watching.

There are even competitions or events on bird watching. Participants are often tasked to spot and identify as many birds as possible given a set time. The group or individual who gets the most number of properly identified birds win the contest.

However, the great outdoors is not for everyone. Some people will never appreciate the beauty of nature and the wilderness. But if you’re a nature lover, then definitely you will love birding.

The Rewards of Bird Watching

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Bird watching is one of the fastest growing recreation outdoor sport nowadays. In the U.S.A. and Europe, there is approximately thousands of group dedicated in biding. They may be small groups of friends or big organizations, but one thing is for certain, they share the same love for our avian friends.

A lot of people are getting interested into becoming a enthusiast or hobbyist. Since there are hundreds or thousands f species of bird worldwide, it gives every watcher a sense of freshness. They would be able to get a glimpse of the majestic rulers of the sky for a long time.

Aside from seeing different kinds of bird everytime, bird watching are also a delight to behold because of their different colours, being flashy and being impulsive and frisky that other wild creatures. Their songs are added reason why people enjoy bird watching.

Bird watching also has major contributions in the conservation of nature. There are registered bird watching clubs that make sure that they know which species of birds are threatened, infrequently seen, and the normal behaviour patterns and migratory paths of flocks of birds.

There are bird watchers who decided to opt for this sport, for different reasons like it’s relaxing, educational, easy to attract birds to your yard and quiet hobby.

You don’t have to be an expert to participate. You just need the ability to identify species by sight or song . Even if you are not able to identify the bird, you can still go ahead and enjoy birding. As you progress though, it will be natural to want to know specifically what type of birds you are looking at.

For several reasons, bird watching is relaxing. Watching bird pick seeds, bathe and flutter around has a slowing effect on our frazzled nerves. If the windows are open, their songs can be soothing and calming. Listening to the bird songs is like having a radio on. After a while, you will be able to identity birds by their sounds alone.

Since birds are everywhere, there is no hassle in getting hold or watching and feeding them. If you would like to do bird watching in your own backyard, you can put some feeders in your yard to get to see more flurry visitors around.

Bird watching is not that expensive. There are many locations where you can view birds without spending too much. You can observe avian species from your own house. If you would like to combine vacation with bird watching. There are inexpensive tours that you can get in with your family.

Not only are adults enjoying this recreational activity, children can also get involved in this activity. Since children love practical based activities, getting them involved with watching birds would not be that too difficult. Getting the children outside is another benefit. They would be able to hike a little, walk a little. One of the primary reasons for being overweight and obese are lack of mobility and exercise.

Children, as well as adults , will have a great time socializing with their peers. Experts say that socializing as much as possible can make a difference to a person’s personality. It can develop self confidence, self esteem and interpersonal communication and relationships. Bird watching is an activity where in you are surrounded by club members, people who share your enthusiasm.

With all these premise stated, bird watching proves to be beneficial as well as enjoyable.

The Best Bird Watching Locations

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Birdwatching is fastest growing outdoor sport where both adults and kids engage to. Itg growing popularity has something to do with the benefits and joys hobbyist enjoy. Bird watching can be done at your backyard. But some birdwatchers would like to combine vacation, travel and birding.

So, let’s see what are the best locations for bird watching.

First stop, United States. The following are considered to be the best ten places in the United States for bird watching.

• Nevada – this state known to be one of the hottest tourist destinations on the planet serves as the home for some of the rarest species of birds and bird favorites among bird watchers. In the center of the state lies the Nevada National Wildlife Refuge.

• Montana – is a also a bird watcher’s paradise. The seventh most rare bird species resides in Montana and is protected by federal and state law.

• Maine – the climate in this state makes it perfect for migratory birds, many hobbyist visit Maine during winter which the best time for bird watching here.

• Florida – this state serves as the home for the most beautiful birds that the world has ever seen. This state holds an annual tour for bird watching, it is also one the highly sought after destinations.

• Alaska – this state may seem cold but many native species reside in the state.

• Indiana- there are large numbers of state parks in this state making it big with bird watchers. The parks in this state are protected and house many rare species of birds.

• Washington – this state has large natural forests that dot the landscape. The second rarest bird in the country resides in the borders of Washington State.

• Ohio – this state also has many state parks that serve as sanctuaries for birds.

• California- is often visited for their bird watching and scenic beauty.

• Oregon – the rarest bird can be found in this state, which make this state his summer home.

The Pyrenees of France and the forests of Bulgaria are also rich with bird life that is a paradise for bird watchers. The top locations in Europe are:

• Orkney Islands, Scotland – this archipelago is the home for amazing number of birds like guillemot, razorbill, puffin, kittiwake, breeding fowl and the short- eared owl.

• Camargue, France – this place is a 210,000 acre national park in the vast Rhone delta and teems with shorebirds, herons and gulls. This is also the breeding area for the Greater Flamingo.

• Faroe Islands, Denmark – this group of islands has 18 islands lying between Iceland and Norway where birdlife is abundant.

• Yell, Shetland Isles – this island is remote and barely habited. You can take a coastal walk and not experience the birds but the marine life as well.

• Iceland – high latitude birding can be done here since bird habitats can be spotted in towering cliffs.

• Bulgaria – spring is the best season for birdwatching in this country since autumn migrating Asian birds pass here.

• Pembrokeshire, Wales – there are several island bird sanctuaries providing refuge for many species of birds and all kinds of wildlife.

• Greece – there are 196 important bird areas in this country. Some birds even stay in Greece during winter, which is a unique phenomena in Europe.

• Pyrenees, France – this is one of Europe’s great birding destinations.

• Spitsbergen, Svalbard Norway – there are abundant seabird colonies and species making it one of the greatest birdwatching locations.

There are great places to got and visit to do some birdwatching. But if it is difficult to or if these places are not accessible, you can always do some birdwatching in the local park or in your backyard.

The 4 Rules of Bird Watching

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Wherever we go, there are certain rules we have to follow and when you go bird watching, there are certain things that you also have to comply with. These are designed for your safety, other bird watchers and the birds themselves.

The first and most basic rule is to respect the bird. Yes they are nice to watch but consider for a second if you were the one being watched. Would you like that to happen to you? They may not be caged like in a zoo but just imagine the paparazzi watching your every move.

The second rule of bird watching is not to go to close to the birds. You are in their turf now and like clockwork, these creatures come back to the same place every year. If you cause harm to them or their surroundings, they will no longer come back to this place and you will never see them again.

The third rule of bird watching is to respect the law. Birds especially those that are endangered are protected by the law. If you happen to find a bird that is not in a national park but in someone else’s property, you should also ask the permission of the owner if you can enter otherwise you could be arrested for trespassing.

The fourth rule of bird watching is to be familiar with the birds. There are more than 20 different families of birds around the world. They live in different environments and habitats so don’t think for one second that you will be able to see all of them when you visit a national park. So you don’t waste your time, find out what birds live in the area. Knowing what is there will make it easier for you to spot these birds.

The other option is to get a guide book which is available at the park service. You have to remember that the people there have already done the research so once you get a copy, all you have to do is mark with a pen or pencil what birds you were able to spot during your field trip.

In most cases, you will be able to identify the bird just by listening or looking at them. If you are new to this hobby, it will probably take you a little while longer so consider their behavior, color, silhouette, and voice. After all, some birds look alike when you are watching them through your binoculars or scope.

If you follow these 4 simple rules, you will have a good time bird watching. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see some of the birds which you know for a fact live in the area because you can always come back the following week to try and spot them.

There are now more people who enjoy bird watching than ever before. While many start out looking out their window, those who want to see other species up close will go to national parks not only where they live but in other states and countries.

Wherever you go, keep in mind the bird watching etiquette because you are simply a guest in their domain and it is best to keep things that way. If you notice something is wrong in their behavior, report it because this is your way of looking after the welfare of the birds.

Safety During Bird Watching

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Safety must always be on your mind when you go bird watching. To help you along, here are some tips you should consider.

When you go bird watching inside the national park, pay a visit first to the visitor’s center or ranger station. Here, you will be able to get a bird guide and some other information which you should know about when you are inside.

Naturally, there may be some wild animals that also live in the park. Some examples of these could be bears, cats, deer, moose and even snakes so be alert when you walking alone. Be sure to also get the contact number of the ranger station because this will be valuable should you need any assistance.

Should you spot a bird, never get too close to them because the birds will fly off. Should there be eggs in their nest, you are jeopardizing the safety of the nestlings due to the weather and from other animals.

It is best to also bring some insect repellant so you don’t get bitten by bees, mosquitoes and other bugs. If you think insects are your only concern, think again because certain leaves and plants could be harmful as well. You could come into contact with leaves from Poison Ivy, Poison Oak or Poison Sumak so be sure you also have a first aid kit so you will be able to control it until you are able to seek medical attention.

What you wear when you go bird watching is also important especially during hunting season. There have been accidents in the past where a hunter mistakenly thought they saw a deer or some other creature so be sure to wear something that clearly marks you are a person.

Aside from a pair of binoculars, bird guide book, pen, camera, food and water, it is best to bring along a walking stick. This will make you test the ground you are about to step on because you don’t want to step on land the sinks beneath your feet.

Never go bird watching alone. Should something happen, no one will hear you so always go with a partner or be part of a group.

Should you decide to spend the night in the forest, keep your food in containers and keep them in bear boxes. This will prevent bears and other creatures from eating your stuff. You should also follow camp fire regulations because you may start a forest fire.

If you are lucky, you may be able to befriend a bird. Should they land on you, feed them some peanuts or a cracker because these are things they can easily consume. You can talk to them and when they are with you, don’t make any sudden moves because this will scare them and make them fly off. When they are done eating, wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol because the birds could leave something on you that may be harmful to humans.

Bird watching is a lot of fun and if you want to enjoy this experience over and over again, it is best to follow the safety rules mentioned. If something is not clear to you, ask a question because when you are out there and something should happen, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Prepare Yourself for Birding

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Planning on birdwatching? Before you set out and join the birdwatching club, you should ask yourself if you are prepared for this fascinating activity. First of all, you will need a good field guide. There’s nothing more frustrating that spotting a bird and you fail to identify what it is. A good field guide will give you tips of which bird features to look for to make a proper identification.

After procuring a field guide, the next thing you will need are some good equipment to make your bird watching experience truly pleasant and unforgettable. Bird watching is not as simple as reading things from a book. You will need some good quality gadgets to get the most from the experience.

One of the basic tool you should have is a good pair of binoculars. Choose binoculars that are of high quality, one that will not let you miss out on every detail, such as the type of birds you would see and even the feather details. Seing the details are very important especially when you try to distinguish similarly looking birds apart. The difference might lie on minute details and having a good pair of binoculars will help you see the distinguishing marks. The orange blur that you are looking at from afar, with the use of binoculars, will come alive before you as bird that you may have never seen before in your life.

Now what should you consider when choosing a pair of binoculars? Be aware that there are different kinds of binoculars. You will have to decide on the size, shape and specifications that you want. More importantly, you need to know what type of binoculars you are looking for. There are multi-purpose pairs that can be used for different activities, including bird watching, concerts, star gazing, hiking and many others. Know what your binoculars are for.

You also need to know what those figures represent. You will encounter numbers like 7x35 or 10x42. This simply means the magnification power and the diameter of the front lens of the camera, measured in millimeters. The larger the diameter lens, the more light that can enter the binoculars. With more light, the image becomes brighter.

It may not matter to you, but to some the brand name or the manufacturer counts. If you do not have any idea which binoculars are trustworthy, start knowing the equipment by asking friends or acquaintances who use binoculars about them. Try to borrow their equipment if you can and see how it feels. Some brand names may be too heavy on the budget though they surely catch your fancy. You do not need to splurge on a pair of binoculars as there are also many low-end but reliable brands. Ask your hobby shop for their recommendations. Better yet, try entering online forums and post questions there. You’ll be surprised how many people will lend you a hand or voice out their opinions on various brands.

Now, if you are also interested in getting a scope, you should consider the magnification, aperture, field of view, optical design and eye relief. A spotting scope is a small telescope that is used for observing objects whose distance requires a magnification greater than that of the binocular. A spotting scope is ideal for birdwatching, scenic observing, beginning astronomy and surveillance.

What were mentioned are just two equipment, and yet probably the most important equipment to have, in bird watching. The key here is to properly prepare yourself for a birding experience.

Know your Birders

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If you are a birder or an avid bird watcher, then you would be interested to know that there are a couple of well known personalities that you share this passion with. You probably have heard some of the people I will be mentioning later on, but, you might also be able to pick up a couple of new names to add to your own list. Let’s get to know your birders.

Roger Tory Peterson can be considered as one of the fathers of the 20th century environmental movement. His Field Guide to the Birds which was published in 1934 has revolutionized the way people see the environment. Peterson brought the highly complex and jargon filled guides of field biologists to a level that ordinary people can understand and appreciate. The result was a new sense of awareness and understanding on the natural world. Peterson’s work laid the foundation for the rise of birding associations and even wildlife centers.

Another great birder is Kenn Kaufman. At the age of sixteen, he began hitch hiking all around North America looking for birds, that pursuit still continues until today. After a three year hiking stint, Kaufman was able to identify 671 species of birds in the area which surpassed the previous record. Among his notable works include his Kaufman Field Guide Series (on North American birds, butterflies, mammals, and insects), Lives of North American Birds, and Kingbird Highway.

Two other birders that should be mentioned are David Allen Sibley and Pete Dunne. Sibley is the author and illustrator of the popular and rather comprehensive field guide, The Sibley Guide to Birds. Meanwhile, Pete Dunne is a birder and writer who is known for his columns and article contributions to various publications like American birds, Living Bird, Wildlife Conservation and WildBird.

We now go to some of the personalities or birder celebrities. First off, there’s the well known and respected personality in the area of environmental documentaries, Sir David Frederick Attenborough. One of his latest and quite notable works is with BBC’s eight part “Life” series which tackled the survey of all terrestrial life.

Other celebrities include Ian Fleming. Yes, the author of the popular James Bond books is a certified birder. The name James Bond is actually a borrowed one from the author of the Birds of the West Indies which was first published in 1936. The name Goldeneye which is the name of Fleming’s estate in Jamaica and the title of the seventeenth of the movie franchise was from a duck and World War II mission code name.

Abraham Lincoln is said to be an avid bird lover as well. According to one story, he picked up a nest of robin younglings that fell from the tree. Lincoln placed the nest back on the branch of the tree. Writer Agatha Christie is also said to be an avid bird watcher. It is said that she never leaves home without a good pair of binoculars.

Celebrity birders also include Sir Anthony Galsworthy, former UK Ambassador to China, Trevor Harrison, Princess Takamado of Japan, Jimmy Carter, Charley Harper, and Sir Kenneth Dover. So don’t fret if you think your friends are making fun of your because of your new found hobby. Just mentioned a few of the big names that are in our list and surely, that should keep them quiet.

Great Bird Watching Gifts to Give this Christmas

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Christmas is around the corner and if your friend is a bird watching hobbyist, here are a few things you can consider getting him this holiday season. So you know what to buy from the sporting goods store, you have to know what a bird watching enthusiast brings along when he or she is out there in the woods.

One of the most important things to have when you go bird watching is a pair of binoculars. There are plenty of these in the market like those made by Bushnell, Nikon, Pentax, Swarovski and Zeiss. You are sure to find one based on a reasonable budget but aside from how much you are willing to spend, you should also know what bird watchers love to use.

The ideal pair of binoculars should be 8x25 or 8x40, the number 8 means the number of times the bird will be enlarged when you use it. The second 40 is the field of view which is just as important because this will enable the user to keep track of the bird should it decide to fly off.

If the person you know does not like to use a pair of binoculars and instead use a scope, you can also look for that because the manufacturers mentioned also make those. There are two types namely straight and angled.

The important thing to remember when you look for the binoculars or scope is that it must be water proof so it can still function even under harsh conditions.

For those who can’t afford to buy that, consider something else like a pair of pants or a vest. These can be bought for less than $100 and when you are looking around, don’t just consider the size of the person you are giving to but also the material and the number of pockets it has.

The material is important because the person using it shouldn’t feel too hot or too cold when they are wearing it. That person will be in the wilderness for hours so it should breathable. It should also be adjustable so that the person can also go bird watching during the cold months of the year.

The number of pockets that the pants and vests contain is important because this will allow the person to have a number of items within reach instead of getting it out of the bag. They can grab a snack, get a pen out, bring out their cellphone and a few other things when they feel the need to do so.

If their outfit is still good, see if it will be worthwhile to get them a new backpack. After all, some bird watchers camp out for a few days before coming home. This should be able to store food, water and a list of other items which will enable them to spend the night in the wilderness.

Another great idea will be to buy your bird watching fan a journal because this is what they use to keep track of the birds they have seen. While some people are now using bird watching software, this is still the best thing to have since it is light.

There are other great bird watching gift ideas you can give your family member or friend this Christmas. All you have to do is find out what they have and what they don’t and then consider your options.

Enjoy Bird Watching More With the Help of Links

2010-09-18T21:39:00.003-07:00

Bird watching is fun. If you can’t get enough of it, you can turn on the television and watch shows like the Animal Planet, Discovery Channel or National Geographic. There are also magazines you can subscribe to and read from cover to cover but in this day and age, you can also find information about birds thanks to watching links.

Bird watching links gives hobbyists the chance to see birds from different parts of the world. If you become a member of one of these sites, you can download some of the photographs and even upload your own.

Believe it or not, a lot of these sites which you find on the web are operated by colleges and universities. If you think this is for fun, think again because this is one method which they use to gather more research.

Another feature in most bird watching sites these days is to be able to post questions and write comments. You can also post a topic and then have an exchange of ideas. Who knows? You may even make a friend and decide to meet so you can both go off on a bird watching trip together.

Aside from colleges and universities, some sites are run by bird watching organizations. This will allow the organizers to get in touch with their members for upcoming conferences, seminars and other events to create awareness for the birds. You have to remember that some of are feathered friends are endangered.

The number of bird watching enthusiasts continues to increase so you are sure that more and more bird watching links will be made. While some sites will have similar pictures and articles, there will always be new ones so while you have bookmarked these already in your internet browser, there are still others that could be just as good.

To find these bird watching links, start out by typing some keywords in a search engine. From there, click on the sites and then see if this is worth bookmarking or not. If you like what is posted, share this with your bird watching friends because part of this hobby is sharing the information.

Instead of looking for bird watching links, why not make one yourself? It is not that hard to do and if this is just as good as the others, you will also get a lot of traffic and be praised for the amount of work you have done to share this hobby with other people.

Bird Watching Videos

2010-09-18T21:39:00.001-07:00

Ever seen a commercial on television saying that this episode will air at this time but you won’t be able to see it? Well, it is a good thing that we now have Tivo to record it for us. But if you want to keep a copy of the show especially if it has something to do with bird watching, it is great to know that there are videos.

These bird watching videos are well made because these are produced by the likes of the Animal Planet, Discovery or the National Geographic. When they make a video, they do a lot of planning and editing before the final copy is aired and made into various formats.

One thing you will notice about bird watching videos is that you will never always find the complete edition in the video store. If you want a copy, you have to buy it online or become a member of a group and get the chance to buy it at a discount.

The bird watching videos you will find are all informative. You will learn what distinguishes one bird from another, what are the basics of bird watching, what food they eat, where they live, how they mate, what are the mating calls or sounds that birds make and a list of other things.

What is so interesting about these bird watching videos is the fact that some of the clips came from Europe and Asia. While we have hundreds of species of birds in the United States, you won’t find certain creatures which live in hot and cold climates.

But aren’t magazines better than videos? The answer is yes and no. Yes because magazines are published every month or every other month. No because all you can do is look at the picture instead of watching how the bird takes off, flies in the air and lands which only a video recording can offer.

Bird watching videos which were once available only in VHS format can now be seen since on DVD. This will allow you to watch it on your laptop or desktop instead of relying on a player and television.

Aside from ordering for bird watching DVD’s online, you can also download an entire feature from various sites assuming someone was nice enough to upload it. You can even try looking for a few clips of this in youtube.com given that a lot of people have uploaded personal and home videos.

If you decide to buy one video, try buying more because some retailers will give you a discount, give you an extra copy for free or won’t even charge for delivery. While the free copy you get may be a few years old, the information provided here is still useful.

There are many ways that a bird watching enthusiast can learn more about birds. They can read up on it or watch the video. Although they may not be as interesting as one of the block office hits made by Hollywood, just remember that it is educational. You just have to find the resources available so you can learn about birds in the comforts of your own home.

In the end, books, magazines and videos are merely instruments to help learn more about birds instead of bird watching somewhere in the wilderness.

Bird Watching Magazines

2010-09-18T21:38:00.005-07:00

There are many magazines now in stands. Some focus on sports, health, interior design and architecture. If going out into the wilderness is not enough, you can subscribe to a bird watching magazine.

Bird watching magazines are informative because they have pictures and interesting articles about birds. You can learn about a certain bird’s behavior, diet, habitat, sounds and more by reading through the pages.

Aside from birds and the various species, you will also learn about the different brands of bird watching equipment that are available in the market. Some of these are reviewed by various experts to give you an idea what is worth buying.

The best thing about a bird watching magazine is its opportunity to show you various bird species which you will never see because of your geographic location. You won’t be able to see the Giant Petrel or the Skua which happen to live in Antarctica.

Bird watching magazines are published bi-monthly or monthly. When we say bi-monthly, this means you will only get a copy every 2 months which is about 6 copies in a year. These are sold for $15 to $50 per copy and you can avail of a discount by paying for a whole year’s subscription in advance.

A few examples of these include Bird America, Bird Talk and Bird Watching. Sometimes, you will even see a few pictures of birds in National Geographic. You can get copies of these from your favorite news stand or online since some of these can be ordered through their company website.

If you happen to see an old issue which you think is interesting, you can even order the back issue once again.

Reading a bird watching magazine is one way to keep yourself up to date with the different species of birds that inhabit our planet. While there are books you can also browse, magazines are published on a regular basis while books are launched after more than a year.

So if you want to learn more about birds, pick up a copy of any bird watching magazine. You may not be able to order all of them but after looking at a few, you will know which one is good value for your money so you can become one of the millions of regular subscribers.

One of the things you can do being a subscriber is to also send photos or even comments about the articles written. You may even be paid for your article should the editor like your article and decide to include it in the next issue.

Aside from bird watching magazines which in paper form, there are also articles about them which you can find online. These are called e-zines or electronic articles. You don’t have to be a member to read about topics they have but it will be a good idea so you know if anything new is posted.

Just like the regular bird watching magazine, you can also contribute stuff online. It will be nice to submit an article with a few pictures so you can tell members your experience when you had your encounter with the bird.

Bird watching magazines are common just like other hobbies. It was just a matter of time before someone thought of the idea of making one.

Bird Watching Equipment

2010-09-18T21:38:00.003-07:00

Birdwatching or birding is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. Everybody from all walks of life and ages have enjoyed birdwatching. Birders try to find more species than their competitors in a given amount of time. There are even people who try to be the first one to spot a specie that is migrating across their area.

To enjoy birdwatching, the only equipment that you really need is your eyes for observing. Birds can be identified by their sound alone. There are guide books that can help birdwatchers to identify birds.

The basic equipment for birdwatchers is a binocular. With binoculars, they will bring all birds up close so you see them clearly, a high quality binocular could even let you see feather details of a bird which is hundreds of feet away.

Binoculars are indispensable for a birdwatcher. Binoculars come in different shapes, sizes and specifications. It is not only suitable and can be used for birding, but also for other sporting events, concerts, star gazing, hiking, fishing, nature observation and more.
There is no binocular perfect for all the situations, it is important to determine the primary use to choose the best binocular suitable for your needs.

The large 7 by 50 binoculars are one of the most popular. The first number refer to the magnification power of the binocular and the second number refers to the diameter of the front lens in millimeters. A larger diameter lens means for light can enter the binocular and the image would be brighter

Another birdwatching equipment is the spotting scope. A spotting scope is a compact telescope for observing something beyond the range of a typical binocular. It was designed primarily for astronomy, it is designed with a shorter focal length for lower magnifications compared to telescopes. It is suitable for long distance birdwatching.

When boirdwatching and holding a binocular and telescope, you cannot avoid vibrations and tremors because the hands and fingers cannot hold the equipment stable anymore. So many birdwatchers invest on good and stable tripods. Looking at stable images or through stable equipment reduces headache or eye strain.

A perfect tripod is lightweight, rigid, strong, portable, easy to set up, inexpensive and tall enough for comfortable viewing. Investing in a stable and high quality tripod can complement the high precision optical instrument that you have.

Field guides are also important birdwatcher tool. When purchasing the first
Field guide, it is best to start with one that displays paintings of birds rather than photographs. Paintings allow artists to include all distinguishing features that help identify a bird in each illustration. Birdwatchers also carry around a little notebook for their fielding notes. They would record the birds that they saw and even writes the description.

Taking photographs of birds will preserve the memory and experience. Digital cameras that we have today have built-in zooming capabilities. This make focusing on distant objects and taking a clear picture of them a lot easier.

Some birdwatchers would also bring hats and a birding vest whenever they go birdwatching. A birding vest is where you can put your binoculars, field guide, pen and notebook. Rain gear is a must is some areas. Whether may turn suddenly and get nasty, it is better to be prepared.

For long distance birdwatching expeditions, bird watchers carry some first aid kit and some snacks and bottled water.

Birdwatching 101

2010-09-18T21:38:00.001-07:00

Some people want to try bird watching but hesitate for several reasons. They think that bird watching is an expensive hobby, one that would require costly gear and equipment. Hence, they miss out on an enjoyable and sometimes wondrous experience. But you do not need fancy equipment just to enjoy nature and observe colourful feathered creatures. Here are a few things you should know if you are thinking of starting bird watching as a hobby or even just as a leisure activity.

Clothing should suit the weather in which you are going bird watching. If it is the cold season, then of course you would have to venture out in thick clothing. Wear layers of warm clothing, gloves, socks, a scarf, anything that can protect you from the cold. Remember that sometimes you would need to watch and wait for quite a time to spot a bird or wait for one to come near you. So, preparing for the kind of weather you might find yourself bird watching in would not be a terrible thing to do.

Another tip is to wear camouflage clothing. Wear clothes whose color blend in with the surroundings, such as green. But you need not overdo it and look like you had just come out of a military exercise. You can also blend in by not wearing bright or shocking colors that will alert birds of your presence. Keep any sparkling or shiny items as well.

Another essential item to bring with you while bird watching is a notebook and a pen. This is where you record your observations; you can even do some sketches of the birds you will see.

Of course, there is the guidebook, which contains information on the different kinds of birds you can possibly encounter. Choose a guidebook that is small and lightweight since you will be bringing it with you out in the field.

Bring a camera that is lightweight and which has an optical zoom of at least 4x magnification. Don’t settle with your digital zoom. Digital zoom is practically useless since what it does is not actually magnify the image but rather creates pixels to make the magnified image smoother or less pixelized.

A good thing to bring during bird watching trips is a sound recorder. This is to record bird sounds or bird calls. Eventually, when you’re good enough, you can identify the birds by their calls alone.

Looking for place to go bird watching is not that difficult. If there are wooded or open areas with trees or bushes, you can go there and see birds. If you have a yard, you can set up a bird feeder to attract birds. Bird watching is essentially a waiting game so be patient. All you need to do is sit and wait.

To give you some tips on the proper baits to set up to attract the most varied kinds of birds. Hummingbirds, for example, target red, pink and orange flowers. They particularly like the trumpet vines or other tubular-flowered plants. Or if you lack the flowers, a bird feeder containing water and sugar could attract these fast flying birds.

Even if bird watching is relatively tame stuff compared to other hobbies, it is still vital that you learn the basics. Bird watching 101 should not only about the joys of bird watching but rather would help prepare for the tasking yet fun-filled day.

Bird Watching with Kids

2010-09-18T21:37:00.004-07:00

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family on weekends, but are tired of the usual activities, why not try nature for a change, such as bird watching? Yep, if bringing those kids to the wilderness once in a while means dragging them out off the couch and from television set or their video games should be fine, right? Bird watching with kids might also inspire them to care more for the environment.

Introduce your kids to bird watching slowly. You can start with the birds that visit your backyard. What you can do is provide some sort of bird feeders to attract some birds and voila, you can have as much fun as you will have in amusement parks or in the movies. Beginning with the local bird species will also help your young ones to get familiar with the different species of American birds. They get to learn the various animals (which incidentally are almost always located in Africa such as lions, elephants, tigers) from television and from school but are unable to identify an American robin.

To get your quality time dubbed backyard adventure dubbed scientific study rolling, you will have to prepare basically two very important equipments. First, a good bird guide is necessary. You will have to get something that you kids will understand, of course. A simple, highly illustrated, richly colored bird guide will do. You don’t have to be comprehensive. You can settle with books talking about local species and eventually move up to the more all-embracing field guide as your kid’s interest and knowledge grow.

A good guide will also teach children what they should or should not do in different situations like when they find a bird’s nest, bird’s eggs and even newly hatched chicks. Part of the guide’s responsibility is to spur interest on birds and nature, if possible. A challenging job for a guide, but as parents you have a share to that responsibility as well.

The second important thing that you will need would be a good pair of binoculars. You can find binoculars for kids in the market. You might want to think of settling for those kinds so your kid can properly hold them. They might find it difficult to hold the big ones. Another option would be to position the binoculars to focus on the bird feeders and then mount it on a tripod so your kid doesn’t need to hold it.

Be wary of your clothes as well. Be aware that you would have to wait for some time, if you’re in your backyard, or walk a considerable distance if you’re backyard is a ranch, farm, or forested area, before you a bird sighting.

But walking, waiting and watching the birds feed and fly away in your backyard is not the only activity that you and you kid can do. You need to engage your kids to other bird related activities to keep them interested. Other activities include making bird feeders, a bird house, or creating a bird journal.

Bird watching is also a good opportunity to introduce your kid to other skills like photography or illustrating. Bird watching with your kids is a great activity that can be vital to your child’s development. It is an interesting and engaging project that, in my opinion, should be practiced by all parents.

Bird Watching Tips

2010-09-18T21:37:00.002-07:00

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activity. If you are one of those who are interested in this activity, there are some tips that would make this experience a notch higher.

For birdwatching newbies, identifying a bird can be challenging. Birds are active and fast moving animals and you need to spot as many details as possible in a short period of time. There are some tips that experienced bird watchers do to maximize the short and precious time for viewing.

Once a bird is immediately spotted, maximize every moment of seeing and observing the bird. Take note of its markings, movements, song, feeding habits and size, you can also start sketching things that catch your eye. Get the most out of the time that you that specie in front of you.

Birdwatching is more of a auditory activity. Birds are best identified by their vocalization compared to how they look like. Listening to a bird’s vocalization is simple but it’s also easy to forget. When identifying a certain song to a bird, notice the movement of the bill. This would make sure that the song is indeed coming from that specific bird.

Knowing or estimating the approximate size and shape will give many clues about the bird’s family. Begin with the bird’s appearance, overall. Also notice the body shape and the silhouettes. Also notice details in the head and the bill characteristics. After the head and the bill, notice the bird’s body, wings and tail. After observing the body, study the bird’s legs.

Observing how the bird walks and how it moves can also determine the specie of the bird. If possible, try to determine what the bird eats or how it eats. Also note the habitat, region and climate where you have observed the bird. You can do this even after the bird has left. Each region has their own type of bird, depending on their weather condition. Note of the region where you have observed the bird. Also, birds migrate so make sure that you have taken into consideration the time of the year.

Make sure to jot down your observation for later reference. Write down anything that you have noticed, it can help when you later sit down with a field guide to confirm the bird’s species.

Equipment wise, a pair of good binoculars helps to locate and identify the distant birds. Bird watchers can watch colored clothing to blend with the surroundings. Long sleeved cotton shirts, long pants and leech socks help protect you from insects and leeches. Field boots will keep your feet dry and provide traction on slippery terrain.

When bird watching in parks, there are some that provide shelters, both elevated and ground level. These assist bird watchers and photographers alike. When photographing birds, use long- range lenses and flash equipment.

When bird watching with friends or with family and suddenly you have spotted a rare bird specie, don’t give vague directions. Be as specific as you can, first use large points of reference, then get more detailed. Once the person is looking at the right object, use the clock system to pinpoint the direction. To give the proper directions, you can practice when you’re birding alone.

Bird watching is a recreational activity that is best experienced when you know how to make the best out of it.

Bird Watching Ethics

2010-09-18T21:37:00.000-07:00

Bird watching is a recreational activity where the bird watcher’s gain is the intrinsic rewards of being in sync with nature. Since birdwatchers enjoy birds, birding must always respect wildlife, environment and the rights of the other. As stated in the American Birding Association’s Principles of Birding Ethics, “the welfare of the birds and their environment comes first.”

There are some simple birding ethics that bird watchers follow to make sure that disturbing birds, disturbing other people or harming the environment is being avoided. There are some rules that are common sense things, while there are ethical knowledge which are not so obvious.

Be sure not to interrupt or disrupt other people from enjoying birding. Respect their property and the privacy of others. Aside from people, also avoid disturbing the birds themselves. Disturbing or stressing birds, especially those who are breeding. Disturbing or stressing them may cause them to leave or abandon their eggs or chicks. Avoid harassing them with too much bird calls. Don’t disturb a nest or handle eggs that you have seen.

Leave nothing but your footprints. Avoid damaging the environment and littering. Make sure to take back any garbage upon leaving. Feeding wild bird inappropriate food is a no. Also avoid leaving food scraps or any left-over food that may attract bird predators.

Even if you are just leaving your birding position for a bathroom break, make sure to take the garbage with you. Left behind wrappers, cans and bottles can get the attention of the birds as well. They may try to eat one of wrappers and can get sick or eventually die.

Also avoid interfering with birds that seem to be in distress. Examples are baby birds on the ground, they may not be abandoned but just out of the nest and learning how to fly. Some birds just wait for humans to leave before they rescue or return for their young.

Another example are hummingbirds in a state of torpor. They may look like they’re dead, but actually they are resting to replace the energy. Birds who are stunned because they hit a window or something will come around. Live them alone, what you can do is to make sure that there are no bird predators around.

Also birds carry diseases. There are birds who carry West Nile Virus, other have ticks that carry disease like the Lyme disease. Bird mites can get into humans, although they would not stay they can cause enough misery. Report sick or dead birds to the local authorities who can appropriately address these cases, but avoid handling these birds.

One of the most important ethics is to share the birding code of ethics with beginners. The beginning birder may not be aware of the ethics involved with birding, so it is up to the present birdwatchers to share the knowledge. Sharing your knowledge and what you have learned along the way. You might just make a birding friend or two.

In a nut shell, most of the bird watching code of ethics are common sense. If the environment and everyone you have met with respect, bird watching can be great fun. Without the birds, then there is nothing that you would be able to enjoy.

Birdwatching as a recreational activity can go a long way, and by abiding with the code of ethics then everyone can benefit from this great sport.

Bird Watching and Other Outdoor Activities for Children

2010-09-18T21:36:00.001-07:00

Bird watching is one of the outdoor activities that can be enjoyed by both parents and children. It is one among numerous activities that children can engage in where they can expand their horizon educationally and improve their social skills.

Kids can enjoy nature trips like hiking. Hiking is not only good for the children but it also provide the necessary exercise adults should be doing. Hiking can be done throughout the year, well almost. During spring, it is a great season for looking for the first flowers of the season and observing birds which are in flight during this season.

During summer, animals are most active in this season. Children can observe and sport squirrels in the trees and other animals. Autumn would be the season for pine cones, acorns, seeds and other items for collection. Winter is not the friendly season. But even in this harsh weather, hiking can still be regarding. Children can learn how to examine animal tracks and their food intake during this season.

Aside from nature hiking, wildlife watching is also a hit among kids. Just like bird watching, all you need is just good eyesight and a green area. Similar to bird watching there are field guides where you can identify the animals that you have seen. Just make sure that the wild things are kept in the wild.

Snowshoeing is a great recreation sport with the kids during wintertime. Just be sure that the children are properly covered with warm clothes before they heat out the door.

Gardening is also a great way of involving them with science, explaining how things grow as they grow along the way like carrots, leaf lettuce, radishes and pumpkins. When involving children in gardening, make sure that they would be asked what to do with their harvest. There are many outdoor activities that can be done like camping, picnics, and kite flying.

You can also pick some berries, apples, peaches and pears. The whole family can join this outdoor activity. After picking some and eating a little of the fruits that you have picked, they can make some delicious fruit cobblers. Not only do you learn about fruits and have lots of fun, you also get to have a chance of a wonderful dessert.

If the kid wanted to do or is interested in a particular activity, think outside the boz. Get creative! Mix and ordinary finger painting with and activity outside the house like picnic. Getting children mobile and active, not only in schoolwork, is not only because we do not like children to be overweight.

There is a study conducted by the UCLA Center for Healthier Children that kids who have high classroom performance are those children who have an increased flow of blood and oxygen to the bran. By exposing children to sunlight and outdoor activity, children gets the necessary oxygen they need

You can also do some star gazing. You can get a map and involve the children in looking and identifying planets and constellations, even talking about its history. This experience can be followed by going or trips to the library to be knowledgeable about the solar system.

Bird watching or birding has helped children in terms of increasing their knowledge in the field of animals and birds. This is an activity that children and adults like, the appeal does not wear off since there are thousands of bird species worldwide that can be viewed anytime.

Bird Watching: A Past Revealed

2010-09-18T21:35:00.006-07:00

Bird watching is also called birding. The first term birding was used for the practice of fowling or hunting with firearms. More and more people are travelling long distances to spot rare species of birds, these people are called twitchers. The goal of twitching is often to accumulate species on one’s lists.

Some bird watchers look at bird watching as a healthy competition. They aim to get or accumulate the longest species list. The act of pursuing a rare specie is called “twitch” or a “chase”.

Showing interest in observing birds can be traced back as early as 1700s in the works of Gilbert White, Thomas Bewick, George Montagu and John Clare. During the Victorian Era, it was fashionable in Britain to collect eggs and later skins for artefacts of interest. To obtain rare specimens, wealthy collectors have contacts in colonies that will move and collect for them.

But the collection and collectors went to far. In 1800, bird hats were all the rage. Harriet Hemenway tok the lead in fighting the millinery trade or feather industry. She went on to shut down the interstate bird skin trade, she founded the Massachusetts Audubon Society.

Rosalie Edge, another hero, bought Hawk Mountain in Pennsylvania then turned it into the first sanctuary for birds of prey, which were otherwise being slaughtered. Florence Merriam wrote a guide for newbies. This served as the early field guide fir bird watching which was incomprehensible for the average hobbyist like them.

It was only in the late 1800s that the call for bird protection began leading to the rising popularity of observations on living birds. The Audubon Society was started to protect the birds from the growing trade. The term bird watching first read in the title of the book “Bird Watching” by Edmund Selous in 1901. The earliest field guide in the United States was Birds Through and Opera Glass By Florence Bailey.

Early and until mid-20th century in the eastern seaboard region, they were influenced by the works of Ludlow Griscom and later Roger Tory Peterson.

The rising popularity and use of cars increased the mobility of birdwatchers. The rising popularity of the car increased the mobility of birdwatchers and this made new locations accessible to those interested in birds. Networks of birdwatchers in the UK began to form in the late 1930s under the British Trust for Ornithology. The BTO saw the potential to produce scientific results through the networks, unlike the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB) which like the Audubon Society originated from the bird protection movement.

The falling cost of air-travel made flying to remote birding destinations a possibility for a large number of people towards the 1980s. The need for global guides to birds became more relevant and one of the biggest projects that began was the "Handbook of the Birds of the World" which started in the 1990s with Josep del Hoyo a country doctor in Catalonia, Jordi Sargatal and ornithologist Andy Elliott.

Right now, there are about 80 million Americans into bird watching. More and more people are still showing interest in taking part of this recreational activity. Its rich history and culture, paves how big this outdoor sport has contributed to the culture and natural history. Through all the years, one thing still remain.

The love for nature and the how history proved that people can make a stand for the environment.

Bird Watching: Remarkable Birds

2010-09-18T21:35:00.004-07:00

Birds are one of magnificent living things. They are probably among the best loved animals in the world. We are captivated by their colourful form, intelligent actions and cheeky mannerisms. In the United States alone, there are about 500,000 members of National Audubon Society of America. While, U.K. have over 1,000,000 members. Members are dedicated in the protection of birds and they do bird watching to monitor them.

There are about 9 703 species of birds divided up into 23 orders, 142 families and 2 057 genera (Sibley and Monroe 1992). They can be found on all major land masses, over the seas and oceans. The total number of birds on the planet range from between 100,000 and 2000,000 million adult or near adult birds.

The most common bird in the world is the Red-billed Quelea that can be found in the south of the Sahara in Africa. There are so many birds like these that they are considered pests for eating the plants. Millions are getting killed and roasted every year in attempt to control their numbers. There are approximately 1.5 million Red-billed Quelea right now.

The rarest bird is difficult to say, there’s a large number of birds whose group are already rare. Some species have been rare for the longest time are the Sudanese Red Sea Cliff Swallow (Hirundo perdita) seen once in 1984 and the Orange-necked Partridge (Arborophila davidi) seen once in 1927.

Other birds are known or believed to be extinct in the wild but still have representatives living in captivity. A good example of this is the Spix's Macaw (Cyanopsitta spiscii) hunted to the brink of extinction to satisfy the foolish demands of the pet trade.

Unfortunately, there are at least 115 species of birds that are to have gone extinct. The reason for extinction is mainly human interference. But there are efforts to make up for the mistakes done in the past.

The Mauritius Kestrel once used to be just 4 wild birds, but thanks to human effort, its numbers went back to 300. Another example is the Californian Condor, during 1987 there is only one male left and 27 birds were all in captivity. By 1994, there were 75 birds in captivity and 9 in all the world.

The largest bird can be measured in three possible ways, heaviest, tallest and longest wingspan. Apparently, all of the record holders for the three are already extinct. The heaviest bird was the extinct Dromornis stirtoni from Australia. This flightless giant lived between 1 and 15 million years ago and probably stood nearly 3m/10ft tall and weighed in at a massive 500kg/1100lb.

The tallest bird ever was, as far as we know, Dinornus maximus, a Giant Moa from New Zealand. While the bird with the longes wingspan is the The Giant Teratorn (Argentavis magnificens) had a wingspan of at least 6M/19.5ft and could possibly have been as large as 7.5m/25ft that was used to be in the United States.

The largest living bird is the Ostrich The heaviest flying bird is the Kori Bustard of Africa (Ardeotis kori), a number of specimens have been scientifically recorded weighing 19kg (42lb). M eanwhile, the smallest bird Bee Hummingbird from Cuba.

We can learn a lot from birds. Bird watching is never merely just watching them but also it is observing and learning from them and from nature.

Backyard Bird Watching

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You do not have to go far to enjoy the joys and happiness of bird watching. Our own backyards can serve as the fun place where new bird watchers can start learning from the basics.

To construct the best birdwatching area in your backyard, you can make use the service of bird feeders. Getting bird feeders is making sure that birds never ran out. Make sure you research how far away from each other the feeders should be. What to feed them is another thing that you should know something about.

Just like the feeders, the food that you select should depend in large part on what type of birds you are hoping to attract and where you live. Some of the more common types of bird feed are sunflower seeds, cracked corn, and thistle. Often found in a mix, pour this type of seed into a hopper type feeder to meet the needs of several different species at one backyard bird watching station.

Since you have constructed some feeders, which are very good ways of experiencing the birds on a greater level, you should ensure that the created place for backyard watching gets the complete view. Remove low hanging branches that may block your view. Do this when there are no bird around feeding on the feeders, sudden change in environment may disrupt their behaviour patterns.

Now that you are ready to begin your observations, you will find that you need some kind of magnifying device in order to see the birds better. A basic pair of binoculars to watch is usually sufficient for beginners, though you may find it better to mount a spotting scope near a bird watching picture window in your home. These optical devices will greatly increase your ability to identify birds and to get to them by their distinct markings and behaviours.

The plant lay-out or the spacing between trees and shrubs are all important factors when taking into consideration our avian friends. It is important to consider to provide open spaces that should be well protected from wind and street noise, since these noise does not appeal to birds.

Increasing the number of plants in your backyard, guaranteed more birds will be starting to get cover. You can even try to create a layered garden to provide richness and diversity in your garden. You can add layers by planting clusters of shade loving small trees, shrubs and ground covers under taller trees. They would look a little bit close to the natural woodland.

A good thing about bird watching or keeping bird watching atmosphere in your backyard, is that your garden tends to be an organic garden. The birds helped in controlling the garden pests and diseases with an arsenal of chemicals, organic gardening balances the ecosystem healthily.

A working knowledge of organic gardening is important to a gardener intent on attracting birds and butterflies. Using plants native to your region reduces the need for pesticide use since native plants are resistant to local pets and disease.

There is nothing better than watching colourful birds fly around a native and natural garden that almost look like the bird’s natural habitat. This makes sure that birds will be coming back in our backyard. Bird watching is a pastime many people can enjoy and do without leaving your house or the city.

All About Bird Watching

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Bird watching (birdwatching) or also known as birding is the observation and study of birds with the naked eye or with the use of binoculars. Birding also includes the auditory component, since birds can be easily and readily detected using the ear than the eye. Most people follow birdwatching as hobby.

Birdwatching can be traced back as early as the Victorian Era in Britain when the study of birds and natural history became fashionable. Collectors would collect eggs, skins and feathers from different colonies. But in the 1800s there was popular call for the protection of birds, this led to the observation on living birds.

Meanwhile in the United States, as early as 1889 there is already a field guide written by Florence Bailey entitled Birds Through an Opera Glass. In the early and mid-20th century, the focus of bird watching in the United States was in the eastern seaboard region.

Currently, not only are there local birdwatching guides, there are already global guides. The availability of air travel enable hobbyist and serious birdwatchers to travel different places and observe wild birds in their natural habitat. Birding can also be done in your own backyard or the local park.

Birding also includes taking precise note of the minute details that distinguish one specie from the others, and mastering the skills of identifying characteristics for documentation as well as contribution to the body of knowledge regarding winged creatures. This means sitting for hours, frequently crouched and hidden in true bird watcher stance.

Birdwatching is the fastest growing outdoor activity in America. According to a survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 51.3 million Americans report that they watch birds. While in Europe it is considered to be a preoccupation. And more are taking it up all the time.

So, why more and more people are taking interest in this activity?

Historically, birds are considered bringers of omens. Ancient Romans believed that the flights and call of birds could foretell the future. Nowadays, modern science still uses birds as future tellers. Changes is bird populations reflect the health of the environment.

But most people start birding for simple reasons. Like having fun or creating a connection with the wonders of nature. Birding is also beneficial for your health. The biggest reason for health problems of people nowadays is inactivity. Birdwatching limits your inactive time in front of the television or computer. Birdwatching gets you outside and walking.

Birdwatching is also a great family activity. It unites people across generations. By taking up this activity, you get to be united with your parents, grandparents and children. Some people also go birdwatching for social reasons. Nearly every community has a birding club.

Birdwatching is also a relaxing a settling sport. Your mind settles down when you are with a bird. The senses open up, you may even take pleasure in going out alone.

For starting birdwatchers or those who are interested, there are local bird clubs or magazines devoted to birdwatching that can help you started. Getting a bird book or a field guide will also help you learn more about birdwatching. A field guide is a little book with different bird information.

Birdwatching basics are also available in DVDs or videos but getting outside and looking at the birds will be much better.