Archive for the 'General' Category

Hint # 12 Look at Birding websites

I have learned so much since first having access to the internet. The wealth of information can be overwhelming at times, so I have needed to become very selective and discerning in how much time I spend in research – and especially on just browsing. It is so easy to click from one interesting site to another.

Like most subjects, birds and birding sites are very common on the net. There are literally thousands of them, from hundreds of information pages on museum sites through to ramblings about birds and birding on personal blogs – and everything in between. Most birding organisations and bird clubs have their own web site. Birding guides and tour operators have sites. Birding equipment suppliers have sites. Then there are hundreds of accommodation offers specifically aimed at birders.

The types of sites I particularly appreciate and enjoy are those that feature bird photos. By now there must be tens of millions of photos available on the internet. I guess many hundreds of thousands of those are fabulous photos of birds – all kinds of birds from all over the world. With the advances in digital photography in the last five years and the ease of establishing a photo gallery on the internet, it has never been easier to let thousands of people view your bird shots. At the time of writing this article my photo gallery has only been going about few weeks. In that short time there have been over 27,000 views. Amazing.

Bird forums like Birding-Aus (Australia) and Birdchat (America) are a way for birders separated by thousands of kilometres to share their birding experiences. Birding-Aus and Birdchat are but two amongst dozens of such forums. Then there are newsgroups, groups that send out regular birding newsletters and all kinds of subscription services.

To look at some of the sites I really like click here.

To view my photo gallery click here.

To read more hints on being a birder, click here.

New Holland Honeyeater

Hint # 11 Find a birding companion

I enjoy my own company but when it comes to birding there are advantages in having birding companion or two. I my case this is usually my wife, but then she usually has her head looking down at the plants or taking photos of flowers.

Having someone to share your interest in birds has several advantages:

• Sharing the cost travelling to distant birding spots.
• Help with identification of difficult species.
• Company when travelling distances or when the birding is slow.
• Four or more eyes and ears are more likely to pick up more species.
• Equipment like telescopes can be shared.
• New friendships can be developed and old ones further enhanced.
• Going birding with someone more experienced than you can be very instructive; you will learn plenty of great hints and help with identification.

To read more hints on how to be a birder click here.

Laughing Kookaburra

Hint # 10 Go on excursions

As you get a taste for birding you will want to broaden your birding experiences. Birding in your own backyard can get a little limiting at times. You will desire to see more birds, and different kinds of birds. You will see pictures of birds in books and field guides that you simply must get to see in the wild.

Go on an excursion.

This can be as simple as taking a walk down the street, or to the nearest park or public garden. Chances are that you will begin to see a few new birds. Go for a drive to the nearest botanic gardens or national park. Seek out the nearest lake, dam, reservoir, beach, river or river estuary, all potential birding spots.

Plan a picnic, day trip or short holiday further a field. Study the maps and tourist brochures for the planned destination, looking for potential birding spots. In Australia, many tourist pamphlets list good birding spots. Tourism operators and promoters are quickly becoming aware of the huge economic potential of the birding community. This is probably true of Europe and America as well. This trend is also being tapped into in Asian countries and African tourism has been aware of this for some time.

Join a bird watching club or organisation in your area. These groups regularly organise excursions into good birding spots. Sometimes the leaders arrange access to private properties or places where the public rarely gets to visit.

So, if the birds won’t come to you, you need to go to them.

I invite readers to comment below on their favourite birding spots. Where do you find plenty of birds to watch?

For more hints on how to be a birder click here.

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

Hint # 9 Join a Bird Club

Joining a group of people with similar interests is an excellent way of developing one’s skills and knowledge base. Every state of Australia has a major birding organisation and some of the larger regional centres also have birding groups. There are birding organisations in many countries of the world, so no matter where you are, in is worth seeking out a local group of like minded people. If there isn’t one, consider starting one. You don’t have to be an expert or have any experienced birders as members to start a group. Learn together. Find out where the experienced people are and invite them to your meetings.

Another benefit of joining a birding group is that you will receive their newsletters. These give details of upcoming meetings, speakers and their topics. They will often have articles pertinent to birders, reviews of books and DVDs about birds and even details of coming excursions and places worth visiting.

And clubs are always a great place to meet new people and make new friends.

To read more about how to be a birder, click here.

Black Swan, Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens

Hint # 8 Recording Your Bird Sightings

Writing down lists of what you see in the field can lead to more detailed records for your own pleasure. I’m really into lists; it’s an obsessive compulsive thing that my wife tolerates with some amusement.

Birding can lend itself to the following lists:

• A Life List: the total list of birds you have ever seen
• A Year List: a list of birds seen this year (or any other year)
• A Month List: birds seen this month (and every other month of the year)
• A Week List: birds seen this week.
• A Day List: birds seen today.
• A Home List: birds seen around your home and garden.
• A District List: those birds seen within a certain distance from home (eg 5 kilometres radius)
• A State List: birds seen in your home state or territory.
• A Country List: all the birds you’ve seen in your home country (and for every other country you have ever visited or lived in)
• A Television Bird List: a list of birds seen on television programmes
• A Film Bird List: ditto – but on films.
• An Office Window List: birds seen from your office window.
• A Train/Bus Bird List: birds seen from the train or bus while on the way to work.
• A Holiday List: birds seen while on a holiday.
• A Porch List: birds seen while sitting on your front (or back) porch.
• A Church Bird List: this may seem bizarre but I have actually made a list of birds seen while sitting in church! Go figure.

All this does is illustrate how flexible this hobby called birding really is; you make it your hobby and pursue it your way, with what interests you. Of course, you may hate making lists, so don’t go down that path at all. Just enjoy the birds.

For more articles and hints on how to be a birder, click here.

If you have any hints of your own, things that help you in your birding, add them in the comments section below.

Zebra Finch