Page 32 - World of Animals - Issue #33

Getting started

You can see birds everywhere: gardens, local parks, schools, workplaces, even car
parks and shopping centres. It’s easy to start birdwatching without even trying

When to go

SPRING AUTUMN MORNING

There are two great advantages of birding in The best thing about autumn is that birds are very There’s no question, birds are most active just
spring. First, all the birds are in their breeding obvious. Many are on the move, travelling to their a er dawn. But failing that, there will still be
plumage, and o en at their most colourful. winter quarters. Numbers are also high because plenty going on until mid-morning, and then
Second, they are noisy, in full song. of the young birds that hatched in the summer. again an hour or two before sunset.

What you’ll need

Binoculars Field guide Neutral colours Notebook

Sooner or later you will need to get a pair A bird identification guide is known as There is no birdwatching uniform, but as Bring a notebook or use a smartphone to
of binoculars to watch birds. Avoid very a ‘field guide’ – there are dozens on the you will be outside and o en standing still, record what you see on the spot. These
high magnification (more than 10x) as you market. There are also a large number of wrap up with warm layers. Birds have details are priceless. If you don’t, you may
won’t be able to hold them still enough. smartphone apps to choose from. colour vision, so avoid garish designs. forget the specifics of what you saw.

Top tips

Listen Watch Take your Be quiet Watch Go to nature
time the sky reserves
Different birds have Make sure you ‘watch If possible, silence is golden
different voices, and bird the video’ rather than Birdwatching shouldn’t be in birdwatching. Loud talking When birdwatching, it is If you want to venture out
identification can be as just getting a picture. The hurried. Stand and stare will frighten birds away and surprisingly easy to forget to further than your garden,
much about listening as habits and behaviours of and you will find that it will be more difficult to look upwards. While birds do nature reserves are usually
looking. Birds sing to defend a bird are o en important different birds pass by hear them anyway. settle in trees, bushes and filled with wildlife. Other
territories in the breeding for identification, so watch and may also approach Listening is as important on the water, they o en fly visitors will o en help you as
season, and make calls the bird long enough to you more closely. Walk as watching when it comes high over you – especially well, so make sure you visit
when socialising and flying. see what it is doing. fast and you’ll miss a lot. to this hobby. birds of prey. plenty of them.

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