by: Chuck Fitzgerald
Can you name the number one spectator sport in North America?
It’s not baseball, figure skating or racing. It’s
bird watching. That’s right, more people are watching
birds than football and hockey combined. With so many people
hoping to see a bird they’ve never seen before, it’s
not surprising to see a clamoring for the latest tips and
tools to get the job done. Here are my top five tips for getting
the most out of your birding experience.
#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds
obvious, but many birders spend the majority of their bird
watching time and energy on poor locations. Some folk have
the advantage of looking out of their windows into the back
yard to observe nature’s best. The rest of us need to
get moving. I would highly recommend visiting a National Wildlife
Refuge. There are over 500 of them across the United States.
To find one near you, visit http://refuges.fws.gov/
#2. Know What Species to Expect. There are
approximately 900 species of birds in the United States and
recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. So when you
visit an area, do a little research first. You may find that
perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particular
area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more
readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list
of successfully viewed species – we’ll call this
tip number two and a half.
#3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending
time and money to get to the right place can be totally wasted
when your binoculars are inadequate. If you have an inexpensive
pair of binoculars you are not getting the most out of your
viewing. Today’s technologies come at a price and they
provide crucial benefits in wildlife viewing. For instance,
image stabilization will keep your view from shaking-very
important when watching from a long distance. Other cool features
include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics.
Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable
you to identify birds once you get home. These benefits will
definitely enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars
will turn a mediocre experience into a great one. You can
count on it!
#4. Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing
wildlife, and especially birds, is to have the ability to
very quickly put your binoculars on target. Many people have
difficulty finding a full moon in a pair of binoculars-but
alas-learning to focus on a bird in a bush or track a bird
in flight is easy for someone who has practiced prior to their
outing. Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your
side and very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet
airliner across the sky. After only a few attempts, you’ll
get good at quickly acquiring your target. Quite often, birds
are visible for only a few seconds, practice to become proficient.
#5. Take Someone with You. Life is always
better when shared. Not only do you get to spend time out
of doors with someone you like, but they might alert you to
the “Number One Sight of the Day.” Share your
birding experiences with your friends and family. Pass the
birding excitement to a child.
The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer,
control almost every aspect of the experience. The more you
are prepared, the more rewarding your time in our backcountry
will be. Follow these 5 simple tips to get the most out of
birding. Get Outdoors!
About The Author
Chuck Fitzgerald is Owner and President of Arizona based BackCountry
Toys, an online store providing backcountry specialty gear
and educational information for outdoor enthusiasts. Visit
www.BackCountryToys.com
to receive the free newsletter "FreshAir” or call
(800) 316-9055. chuck@backcountrytoys.com
May 9, 2008