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