How to be a Birder part 15
Hint #15 Use a birding database on your computer
Most birders have traditionally kept extensive diaries or notebooks of their birding observations. There is nothing wrong with this approach. It is cheap – a notebook costs only a few dollars – and it creates a permanent record. This is necessary, because if you are anything like me, your memory may be fine – up to a point. Actually, I suspect it’s my forgettery that is at fault. Or perhaps my memory bank is full. Whatever.
I still keep extensive records in little notebooks in the field. I buy the type that fits easily into my shirt pocket. That way it is in easy reach and I always know where it is. Find whatever system works for you.
Back at home base I then transfer these notes to my computer. I use a database dedicated to birding called BirdInfo developed by Canberra birder Simon Bennett in the early 1990s. This database has gone through many versions and is ideal for my needs. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone wanting to go down this path. There are available, however, many other databases dedicated to birding. Search on the internet or look in birding magazines. If you are a computer whiz and have the time, you could develop your own specialised database using something like Microsoft Windows Excel or Access.
BirdInfo enables me to record all my observations in an easy to use and retrieve format. Each observation takes only several key strokes. I can record the date, the place, the map coordinates, the species name, number, breeding and several other fields as well.
Retrieving data is just as easy with many different reports easily generated. For example, in seconds I can search and find a list of birds I saw in my garden in 1988. I can just as easily find the record of the first time I saw a Yellow Billed Spoonbill, or how many times I have seen a Mallee Fowl, and where, and how many. This is just a few of the examples of many uses I find for the database.
Entering many years of records from notebooks and diaries into a computer database can be a very daunting task taking many hours of typing. It is not for everyone. Think carefully how you are going to use it before launching out. I find it very interesting and useful. Some might find it burdensome and pointless.
It’s your hobby, so pursue it in your own way.
To read more hints about how to be a birder click here.
For information about BirdInfo for Windows click here.
Rainbow Lorikeet
How to be a Birder part 14
Hint # 14 Use a camera
With the advent of cheap, easy to use digital cameras with great zoom facilities, bird photography has become accessible to everyone. One doesn’t need to buy big, expensive telephoto lenses to get great shots of birds. An added bonus is that you don’t have to lug around a wheel barrow load of camera equipment, lenses, tripod, flash units and other assorted gear. If that turns you on, fine. Go ahead and ruin your back. Only joking. If you want to go down the professional photographer path you probably will need a truck load of gear, but for the ordinary birder, the modern digital camera means light, compact, ease of use and great results.
When I purchased a new digital camera in the middle of 2005 I rediscovered my interest in photography. Many years ago, over 30 years ago in fact, I bought a cheap SLR. I even got to the point of developing my own slide photos. I couldn’t really afford too many extras like expensive telephoto lens, and gradually the interest waned. The digital age has reignited a passion for photography.
I bought a Canon Powershot S2 IS digital camera with a 12x zoom facility. Now this was something of compromise. I bought it especially for the trek in the Everest region I did last January (read my travel blog for details of my adventures). I wanted a powerful camera with plenty of zoom but it had to be compact. I didn’t want to carry a great deal of heavy equipment, and the Canon, while something of a compromise, was ideal.
It has proved to be amazingly adept as a great camera for bird photography. It is easy to carry, even with binoculars around my neck. I have a loop tied in the strap so that it fits over my wrist and just dangles from there when not in use. This way it doesn’t bang against my binoculars. Nor does it interfere with viewing a bird using the binoculars. It is simple and quick to use and the 12x zoom facility is brilliant.
UPDATE: The model of camera I write about above has been through a series of different models and seems to be no longer available. Several new series of models have replaced it, and prices have dropped in recent years. Check out your favourite camera shop.
Updated November 2013.
Silver Gull
A Short Lunch Time Break
Today we had some business to attend to in Murray Bridge. Our short journey took us past our favourite bakery, so we stopped to buy some lunch. We then drove down to the banks of the River Murray to eat our lunch. Although we only spent perhaps twenty minutes there, it is a very relaxing place to be.
All the usual birds were present:
Welcome Swallows, Silver Gulls, Eurasian Coots, Black Tailed Native Hens, Pacific Black Ducks, White Plumed Honeyeaters, Red Wattlebirds, Australian Magpie, Magpie Lark, Little Ravens and Willie Wagtail.
A lone Whistling Kite soared overhead.
As we ate our lunch a Little Egret steadily worked its way along the shallow water. It came to within five metres of the front of the car where we sat.
An ideal subject for my camera.
But the camera was at home in the office. A lost opportunity.
Next time perhaps.
How to be a Birder part 13
Hint # 13 Read birding blogs
You are reading this on my birding blog. Thanks for reading my little attempt at helping people like you learn more about birds and become keen birders yourself. Over the years watching birds has given me countless hours of pleasure, entertainment and relaxation. In the last few years many birders have started sharing their birding experiences by means of their blogs, like I have.
I would strongly encourage you to seek out some of these blogs and read them. Those with photo galleries are particularly interesting. This is an excellent way of learning more about the creatures we love, the birds. The photo galleries are also a great way to get to know the birds of other countries, all for the cost of your internet connection. Far cheaper than flying all over the world looking for them. Not that it ever substitutes for seeing the real bird out in the field. But then, many people cannot afford to go on expensive birding trips to exotic places.
Some birding blogs I really enjoy are listed below. This is a mere handful of sites. On each blog, look for the links section and their blog roll, or list of blogs they enjoy. This will lead you to sites that they enjoy. But just be warned: reading birding blogs can be addictive. And don’t forget to return to mine!
Birding Blogs I Like:
To find out more hints about how to be a birder click here.
To view my photo gallery click here.
Silver Gull
Birding on a morning walk
This morning we had a gentle walk along a few streets and roads we don’t normally use on our times of exercise. It was a mild morning, not frosty like so many mornings in recent months here in Murray Bridge, South Australia. A few clouds but mostly sunny with a gentle breeze – ideal conditions for a walk.
Honeyeaters
The birds thought so too – not for a walk mind you. They were everywhere calling and flitting around in the bushes and trees in the gardens as we walked along. There seemed to be honeyeaters everywhere; Red Wattlebirds, New Holland Honeyeaters, Singing and White Plumed Honeyeaters. I also heard several Brown Headed Honeyeaters but failed to see them.
Lapwings
I didn’t expect to see several Masked Lapwings as we walked through this part of the town. This species is common and widespread throughout the district but usually in association with water nearby. I had forgotten that we had to walk past a dam in a nearby paddock. There was also a small quarry containing some water. One of the lapwings was pacing along the edge of the muddy water.
Willie Wagtails
As we neared home the area opens into farming areas. In one of the paddocks we saw five Willie Wagtails feeding together. I thought this a little unusual as I normally only see them one or two at a time. As they flew off I realised that three must have recently left their nest as they were hotly pursuing their parents. Our own resident Willie Wagtails haven’t nested yet – at least, I haven’t observed a nest. I’d better check it out tomorrow.