Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Necessary Equipment
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing for Field Observation
• Part 3 of 3: Bird Identification
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Are you interested in birds? And when you see them chirping and flying from tree to tree, do you want to better understand their behavior? Bird watching has been gaining in popularity lately; this hobby helps to relax and allows you to make friends with the same enthusiasts. All you need for this activity is binoculars, a bird guide, and a willingness to observe patiently.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Necessary Equipment

1. 1 Get your binoculars ready. You don't need to use advanced magnifying equipment to watch birds.Anything that helps you get a better look at distant objects is fine for starting your observations. You may decide to purchase binoculars specifically for bird watching, but you can also use your existing theater binoculars, telescope, or other magnifying equipment that you have at hand. Or you can ask a friend who has binoculars if they can lend you one.
2. 2 If you are shopping for binoculars, compare the different models for comfort and feel. If you decide to buy binoculars, it is very important to evaluate how comfortable it is to your eyes and how it feels in your hands. Head to a store that sells magnifying optics and test out several different binoculars. Find binoculars that are light enough to be easy to carry and to hold with confidence when you are watching birds.
3. 3 Pay attention to the magnification factor and the size of the lenses. Binoculars are marked with two numbers and may look like 8x29, 7x50, 10x40 or any other combination of parameters. The first number in the marking indicates the magnification of the image, and the second is the diameter of the binocular lenses, which affects how much light enters it. Choose binoculars with not very high magnification, as high magnification requires a stable installation of the device, otherwise the picture will shake a lot, moreover, binoculars with high magnification are too bulky for observing birds in the forest or in the field.
   • Stop your choice on a magnification factor of 7-8 times.
   • Choose binoculars with a lens diameter of about 30–40 mm as the most versatile option.
4. 4 Consider the comfort of a strap for wearing binoculars. When you go looking for birds, you have to wear binoculars around your neck for hours, so your neck strap should be wide and comfortable. Use shoulder straps that transfer weight to your neck and shoulders if you have heavier binoculars.
5. 5 Use a modern telescope. It produces a more stable image as it is usually used with a monopod and also provides a higher magnification. If you want to get serious about bird watching, invest in a spyglass that will allow you to see the birds from a long distance, for example, across the lake or field. Look for a spotting scope with at least one lens completely covered with magnesium fluoride. It will allow you to convey more accurate details of the plumage and color of the feathers. It will also make it easier for you to follow the movement of birds with a pipe than with binoculars.
6. 6 Get a bird guide. A specialized bird guide for your local area will help you narrow down your potential bird list. Explore general information about bird families such as swallows, warblers, or herons. Get into the habit of learning about bird habits, singing patterns, and habitats. In addition to binoculars, the bird guide will be a key item in your inventory, as it will contain information that will allow you to identify different species of birds.
7. 7 Find a good camera. The photographs will make it possible to document the fact of meeting with certain birds and, if necessary, will become auxiliary material for their subsequent identification. Find a quality camera that allows you to photograph birds as they are usually small and don't sit still. Look for a DSLR with an interchangeable lens that has a minimum focal length of 300mm. If you can't afford the cost of an expensive DSLR, look for a superzoom camera. Work with it on a monopod, as the picture may shake due to instability of the hands and large zoom.
8. 8 Use microphones to record birds singing. Studying bird trills and voices is very helpful in identifying them. You may want to record the singing of the birds you observe. Bring either a directional parabolic microphone or a directional high-sensitivity condenser microphone that can be connected to your camera. Use your camera to create audio recordings. Conventional microphones are ineffective for recording soft distant birdsong and pick up too much background noise.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing for Field Observation

1. 1 Find a group of bird watchers. There is no better way to learn how to watch birds than from other birdwatchers. Find out if there are bird watching excursions in your area that you can participate in. Also try to track down unofficial local birdwatching groups on social media. The more pairs of eyes and ears are involved in the observation, the more birds you will find, especially if you have more experienced participants in your group than you.
2. 2 Dress appropriately. Going out into nature for bird watching involves visiting roughly the same places that you might find yourself in during the hike. Try to use the same type of breathable and loose-fitting clothing as for hiking, and sturdy shoes that are comfortable for long walks in forests and fields.
   • Shoes must be moisture-repellent so that you are well prepared for dealing with puddles and mud.
   • Use dark or neutral clothing, such as brown and gray, to avoid scaring birds away.
   • Bright and white colors strongly emphasize the movement of objects.
3. 3 Be quiet. Loud conversations and laughter can make the birds hide before you even get close to them. Put your phone in silent mode, talk quietly with your friends or communicate with them with gestures. Don't be tempted to scream, "Look here!" - no matter how delighted you are with the discovery of a rare bird.
   • In a whisper, the same can usually be communicated.
   • Avoid using flash and beeps on the camera.
4. 4 Watch the birds at the right time. Depending on your actual location and what kind of birds you want to find, the time of day you choose to observe will have a significant impact on the success of your endeavor. Many birds wake up in the early morning hours, when the sun is just beginning to rise, as they sat in the nest all night and had time to get hungry. Others are less dependent on the sun, especially in the summer when daylight hours are longer.
   • Songbirds usually activate two hours after dawn and just before dusk.
   • Hawks and eagles are easier to spot at sunrise.
   • Ducks are available for observation at any time of the day.
   • Charadriiformes are active during the ebb and flow of the ocean.
5. 5 Lure the birds closer to you. If you don't want to join a group of bird watchers or go for long walks in overgrown forests, you can try to enjoy the bird watching in your own backyard. For this, use feeders filled with food for the birds you want to see. Sit by the window at home and enjoy bird watching.
   • Start with simple black sunflower seeds and diversify with food sources such as maggots and fruits.
   • Place a bird bath or fountain in your yard. Birds like shallow running water.

Part 3 of 3: Bird Identification

1. 1 First spot the bird with your own eyes. Regardless of which binoculars you have, this device limits your field of vision. To watch out for interesting birds, first spot the birds with your own eyes.Look for birds in trees or in flight over fields, then use your binoculars for a closer look.
2. 2 Get help with a bird finder. The bird finder will become more and more important as your observing skill develops and you encounter similar birds in appearance. Compare the distinctive features and coloration of the birds according to the descriptions in the key. Also study the features of bird trills and voices. The following are additional points to look out for.
   • What is the body shape and size of the bird (large, small, round or oval)?
   • What exactly does the bird do? Is it looking for insects, or is it circling or hovering in the sky?
   • Often, the distinctive features of birds lie in the pattern of feathers on the wings and / or in the structure of the tail.
3. 3 Don't rely solely on bird color. Considering color alone can lead to erroneous identification of birds. Light and shadow can distort real colors. The bright red plumage can appear brown in certain light. Instead of colors, pay more attention to the bird's shape, size, color marks, posture, behavior, and so on.
4. 4 Hear the bird song. Some birds hide so well that they can only be identified by singing and vocal signals. Listen to the bird chirping to see where it might be coming from. Prepare in advance for observations, listen to the recordings and keep in mind the voices of those birds that you may encounter in nature.
   • Record bird voices with a directional parabolic or condenser microphone.
5. 5 Pay attention to the features of the surrounding area. For example, you will not see a heron in the desert. In addition, in the forest, you will meet completely different birds that can be seen in city parks. The oceans have very different birds than the lakes. Always consider the habitat of the birds you intend to track down.
6. 6 Take photos. Use the camera without flash or beeps to avoid scaring birds. Photos will allow you to get a better look at the birds when you return home. This will document the sighting of the birds and postpone identification until you are home. Over time, you will become an expert and only need a camera to record and capture all the interesting birds that come your way.

Tips

• For extra support for heavy binoculars (eg 10x50) use a monopod. This will give you a more stable image so you can enjoy bird watching for longer.
• Once you are more experienced, consider participating in a bird census to help scientists learn more about the populations of various birds and their migration.
• In temperate climates, the best bird watching times are spring and autumn when birds migrate.

Warnings

• Do not get close to nests, breeding colonies, lecturing and mating grounds of birds, as well as to their important food sources, as your presence may disturb the usual activity of birds.
• Avoid spreading the word that you have spotted a rare bird, as this may lead to its habitat being disturbed.
• Respect private property.
• Do not stress the birds by taking pictures, filming or using a flash or light.
• Some birds may attack you if you get too close to them.

What do you need

• Binoculars
• Identifier of birds
• Notepad and pen (to record observations and take notes)
• Suitable clothing (according to weather conditions)
• Food (for a snack)
• Camera