Bird Watching – Gear You Need
Birds are some of the wild’s most intelligent and most beautiful animals. Many people say they wish that they could observe these magnificent creatures up close and see how they survive. Well lucky for them, there is a common hobby called bird watching, or birding, that many people take part in every day. Birders know how to get up close and personal with different kinds of birds and can even identify a bird by catching a glimpse of the species, or by just listening to a bit of a bird’s song. If this sounds appealing to you, there are some things that you will require to make your birding day more enjoyable.
The most crucial pieces of equipment one a birder’s list are his/her optics. A excellent quality binocular, such as Nikon Action binoculars, will aid you in viewing birds from afar. For most birders, a good binocular is enough to view the birds, but some individuals want to go closer still. For your extreme magnification needs, try using a large magnification spotting scope. If that can’t get you in on the action, I don’t know what will!
So now that you have your binoculars and you’re ready to go bird watching, you have to choose where to go birding to begin with. A comprehensive field guide can tell you exactly which birds to spot in specific locations at a specific season. One well known field guide is Birds of the Philippines by Tim Fisher and Nigel Hicks. Take some time to familiarize yourself with your field guide, so that when you spot a bird in a specific area, you will be likely to achieve an accurate guess as to what species the bird could be.
Trying to figure out how and where to view birds is the hardest thing about bird watching, but proper attire can be just as important. No matter what, always dress appropriately for the weather to provide maximum comfort for your day outside. Dark clothes are recommended, preferably in colors that will match the outdoors, such as green and brown. If the sun is shining, a cap can also be pretty helpful to keep bad UV rays off of your face, neck and head.
The last couple things you should bring are a journal to write down any observations or studies, and supplies to make the day more comfortable. Make sure to bring plenty of water, a few snacks, a can of bug spray, and even a portable seat if you are going to be in one spot for a long time. Remember, bird watching is all about nature, so do your best to respect Mother Earth and clean up after yourself. Be kind, be courteous, and always have fun!