Almost everyone watches birds at times, but not everybody is a bird watcher. There is no clear definition of this term (coined in 1891), but if you watch birds as a peaceful pastime you are a bird watcher. Maybe you spend a minute looking out your patio door observing a flicker or robin inquiring the ground for insects while you sip your coffee.
Perhaps you marvel at the pigeons nesting on the office building across from yours while you daydream and gaze at them from your cubicle. Maybe you leisurely walk through the woods alone or with a group of bird lovers seeking out different birds. You are all bird watchers. You can spend a lot of time bird watching, going on weekly hikes, or even travel the world on a bird watching adventure.
What is the difference between a bird watcher and a birder? It’s a matter of degree. A bird watcher may take a few moments to identify the species around their feeder when they have time, but generally their interest does not go beyond that. They are satisfied with dipping their toe into the sea of birds maintaining an interest perhaps throughout their lives, but never developing that interest into anything else. There are approximately 48 million people in the U.S. bird watch on a regular basis.
Birders are more intense, more dedicated, more serious about the hobby and are sometimes offended by being called a bird watcher (even though that’s what they are). While bird watchers own a cheap pair of binoculars and a beat-up bird field guide, birders tend to have several pairs of binoculars (including a very expensive one plus a spotting scope).
Bird watchers may keep a list of the birds they have seen, but are not very diligent about it. Birders are obsessive about keeping a life list, and often maintain country lists, state lists, county lists, and even zoo and TV lists of the birds they have seen. They will not think twice about spending their life earnings on plane tickets to the Amazon or the latest extreme zoom lens for their equipment. Bird watchers might spend a few hours in the field on a bird watching day while birders arise before dawn, bird all day, and look for owls at night. Every person who watches birds has their own style and dedication to the hobby. Below are a few helpful bird watching (or birding) tips:
Avoid sudden movements- Just as loud noises
startle birds, so do sudden movement. Getting close to a bird means stalking
it, moving slowly, and deliberately. Sudden, jerky movement, even when swinging
your binoculars up to your eyes, can make a bird nervous enough to fly away.
The closer you are to a bird, the more slowly and quietly you should move. A
sparrow hopping around in a bush will eventually move into a spot where you can
get a good look.
Bird
watching is often about being patient and waiting for the birds to show
themselves. Urban green spaces and designated hunting areas can be excellent
for birding. Be sure to check on the regulations for entering such sites. Many
contain hazardous materials and are off-limits to the public. When applicable,
signage about trespassing and fines will be posted near the entrances.
Be quiet- Try to make as little noise as
possible as you walk the designated trails. This means staying away from
rustling clothes, squeaky shoes, or anything else that might spook your bird. Birds are easily startled by loud noises and will flee to
cover. It is almost impossible to sneak up on a bird because birds hear much
better than human beings do.
By minimizing
noise, you can get much closer to a bird. The overwhelming temptation when
seeing an especially exciting bird is to yell: “Wow, look at that. It’s right
over there. Bird watchers learn pretty quickly that the same message can be
whispered. The result is that the bird is more likely to remain for everyone to
see, for a long and leisurely look.
Follow
the crowd-In the non-breeding season (the winter months in most of
North America) many small songbirds join flocks of mixed species both for
protection and to make finding food easier. Typically these flocks are largely
silent, but there will almost always be one or two birds making call notes.
Following a single calling bird will often lead you to a larger feeding flock.
In fall, a single note from high in the trees may signal the presence of a
dozen or so warblers. In winter a sound from down in the thicket may mean that
20 or more sparrows, towhees, cardinals, and other seed eaters are present.
Following a solitary chick-a-dee
call may lead you to a mixed flock of chickadees, titmice, nuthatches,
kinglets, and woodpeckers.
Get off the road-Bird watching while operating machinery is
not recommended. Pull your car over before pulling out your binoculars,
and make sure to leave plenty of space between you and the road. The same
concept applies to bikers. For safety’s sake, park and take a few additional
steps away from traffic. The number one assumption you have to make is that
everyone on the road is a complete idiot.
Since
birds brave the bitterest temperatures, so do bird watchers (often bundled up
like Arctic explorers). Long underwear by itself isn’t going to cut it. Water-resistant
footwear is especially imperative in winter whereas sunscreen and a hat are
summer necessities. Check the weather report beforehand, but be aware that
it’ll be colder and windier on the coast and the mountains than in nearby
towns.
Keep a
journal-Bring
a small notebook with you on your bird watching outings. Take notes to help you
remember how you identified a bird. Some people keep a life list of all the
birds they have seen since they started bird watching.
When listing make note of the species
but also the date, specific location, habitat, male or female and behaviors
(feeding young, catching insects, preening, etc.). Be as detailed as you can. It's
fun to look back on these notes and remember when you were just a fledgling of
a birder. If kept in an organized manner, your field notes and observations can
produce useful scientific data.
Pack food and water-Unless you’re on a multi-day bird watching
excursion into the wilderness, food and water will not make the difference
between life and death. Yet failing to bring them can cut short an outing or at
least make it miserable. Carry hiking snacks such as trail mix.
To
limit the number of restroom visits, he also recommends drinking espresso
instead of a full cup of coffee. Thieves do target some trailheads even in
out-of-the-way areas, so experts advise locking car doors and keeping
binoculars, scopes, cameras, and other expensive items in the trunk (not on the
backseat). It likewise pays to be wary when taking the gear with you. Maintain
a low profile.
Pay attention- It’s easy for a novice bird watcher to go
for the most obvious species. Perhaps their calls are more recognizable or
they’re more plentiful. The patient bird watcher knows that beneath those
Starlings, might be smaller, less obvious species that just need a little more
patience to find.
Don’t
rush the process! When it comes to bird watching, slow and steady fills the
list. Those who prefer a more natural alternative can use plant-based
repellents,
which generally contain lemon and eucalyptus oil. As for larger animals, like
cougars and moose, it’s wise to be cautious in areas where they live.
Carry bear
spray—a
more potent form of pepper spray—and don’t leave food out in the open.
Stick with
beige- Birds are also
easily repelled by bright colors. Try to keep your outfit in keeping with the
colors of the area you will be walking. This means keep the neon shorts for
later. Many birds have poor color vision,
but bright clothes, like whites, will contrast with the surrounding environment
and enhance the appearance of movement. Wear darker colors or earth tones to
blend into the background. There is no evidence that actual camouflage clothing
works better than neutral, dark clothing.
Study up- Not only should you take a little time to
familiarize yourself with the local species in your area. Don’t be the kind of
bird watcher that alienates the others. Understand what is expected of you ‘out
in the field’ and do your best to exemplify the kindness and generosity
inherent in the ideal bird watcher. Each
bird is specially adapted to a particular habitat.
Meadowlarks
prefer large open fields, woodpeckers need trees, and sparrows favor thickets.
What you see will depend in large part on where you look. Many bird watchers,
focused on the flock in the thicket, forget to look at the other habitats
around them. In particular, they forget to look up and thus miss the flock of
geese or the soaring hawk. While studying the ducks on the lake, unaware bird
watchers may ignore the flock of kinglets in the trees behind them and miss
seeing a new bird.
Time it Right-Birds are less active when it is hot outside
or in the middle of the day. Prime bird watching hours are at daybreak and
twilight when they are more active and far more vocal. You will also experience
better results if you bird during the spring and fall migration seasons. It is not always possible, but moving around so that the sun
is behind you will make it much easier to see and identify birds.
When a bird is
between you and the sun, color disappears, and the bird you are trying to
identify may be just a black silhouette. Many bird watchers enjoy open spaces because
the birds are easier to spot. However, you’ll discover a bigger variety of
species in forested areas. If you are prepared with the right clothing and are
aware of other larger animals such as bears or cougars in the area, there is no
reason to avoid wooded spaces.
Try
pishing-
Sometimes, no matter how patient you are, no matter how slowly and quietly you
move; you just cannot get a good look at the bird. When this happens, bird
watchers try a technique called pishing.
Pishing involves making small, squeaky noises by kissing the back of your hand
or making a low whistled pish
by blowing air through your closed teeth. Small birds are attracted to such
sounds and will often pop into view to investigate. Here’s how to pish: Clench
your teeth, open your lips and whisper the word pish.
Watch where you’re
walking-With so much activity
in the trees, bird watchers can easily lose track of their immediate
surroundings, and then make a wrong move. People get totally absorbed in it.
“You’re looking up. You can bump into things, you can step in things, you can
step off of things, you can trip, or you can get hit by a car. Maps and a
compass are necessities, especially for those inclined to roam off the trail. It’s
important to take heed of all signs, such as “keep out” and “danger.”
Moreover, learn when gated parks close, and then make sure not to lose
track of time.
"Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses." (Dale Carnegie)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Binoculars and Beyond: Nine Tips for
Beginning Bird Watchers” By Hugh Powell
·
“Bird
Watching Tips and Helpful Hints to Become a Better Birder” by Birdwatching
Bliss
·
“Birding and Birdwatchers” Dr. Roger Lederer
·
“Safety Tips for Better Birding” By
Jesse Greenspan
·
“Top 10 Tips for Better Bird Watching” by Bird
Watcher’s Digest
·
“What Is the Difference between Birding and Birdwatching?” by Bird
Searcher
This topic was suggested
by my wife, a bird watcher.
No comments:
Post a Comment