| If you love birds and love bird watching but until | | | | brands of birding binoculars made specifically for |
| now have confined your birdwatching activities to | | | | bird watchers. |
| the back yard or local parks, it may be time to | | | | Other Birding Necessities |
| get your back pack and venture into your first | | | | To be prepared to spend the day outdoors with |
| bird watching field trip. | | | | your bird friends, you'll need the following minimum |
| If this is your first time, the following tips will give | | | | supplies: |
| you a good basic foundation of necessities you will | | | | - A sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. This will provide |
| need in order to best enjoy your time in the | | | | moderate protection from the sun. For extended |
| outdoors. | | | | periods of time, go for an SPF of 30+. |
| Often you will hear a bird before you see it. | | | | - Water. You lose lots of water while hiking which |
| Learning to bird by ear is an important part of | | | | can lead to dehydration. Take a canteen or |
| becoming a good bird watcher. The more time | | | | bottled water. Drink lots of water before you |
| you spend in the field watching birds, the better | | | | start your hike and take periodic sips along the |
| you will become at learning to recognize the | | | | way. |
| different mating calls and vocalizations made by | | | | - Insect repellant. For the best possible protection |
| your favorite birds. To hone up on your skills you | | | | against mosquitoes and other insects, you should |
| can actually purchase CD recordings of the bird | | | | apply the insect repellant to both your skin and |
| calls of literally thousands of birds. Use these to | | | | your clothing, according to the label instructions. |
| practice identifying different species by their | | | | - Footwear. You'll be doing lots of walking and |
| songs and sounds. | | | | hiking and you'll want the most comfortable boots |
| Knowing the types of shelter and trees that your | | | | possible. In addition, if there's the possibility that |
| bird species prefer is the second key to finding | | | | you will be trekking through marsh or extremely |
| their nests and setting up your stakeout. Some | | | | damp conditions, you should take along a pair of |
| prefer to build their nests close to the ground, | | | | knee-high rubber boots. |
| while others will find the topmost branches of a | | | | - Rain gear. Weather conditions can change quickly |
| tree to build their home. | | | | so you want to be prepared for possible rainfalls. |
| To have the best chance of spotting your bird | | | | A lightweight, waterproof, breathable piece of |
| species, it's important to know what times of the | | | | rainwear could be indispensable. |
| day it tends to feed. Most species prefer to start | | | | - Snacks. These are for you, not the birds. Take |
| their foraging just before sunrise and will continue | | | | along some high energy store bought or home |
| up to noon. Some, however, prefer later in the | | | | made granola bars, fruits, and nuts and you'll be |
| day and you'll find them just becoming active | | | | good to go. |
| before sunset. | | | | If you survive and enjoy your first outing and |
| The most necessary piece of equipment you'll | | | | feel that you'll definitely be doing this again, then |
| need is a spotting scope with a tripod. A regular | | | | the manufactures of birding supplies will love you |
| telescope won't do. You need one with the proper | | | | as you will undoubtedly be back in their stores to |
| level of magnification. As birding as become more | | | | buy cameras, recorders, and other hight priced |
| and more popular, it's become easier to find many | | | | items in preparation for your next trip. |