8 Tips for Beginner Birders
You don’t need fancy equipment: A good pair of binoculars and a field guide are great tools for birding. I recommend investing in a pair of binoculars that are comfortable to use and within your budget, and make sure you choose a field guide that covers the birds in your area. FYI: We provide binoculars for anyone that needs them at all of our events.
Learn bird calls and songs: Familiarizing yourself with the sounds that birds make can be an effective way to identify them. You can use the Merlin App to help you learn bird songs and calls. Take the pressure off yourself. Learn one bird and one call at a time. You don’t need to be a Pro.
Join a local birding group: Joining a birding group like the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin can be a great way to learn from experienced birders and connect with others who share your interests. There’s nothing better than meeting new Bird Nerds in the flock.
Find a good birding location: Your backyard, neighborhood, or porch can be a great locations to spot a wide variety of birds. You can also explore places near you that are known for birdwatching, such as local parks, wetlands, and wildlife refuges.
Keep a birding journal: Keeping track of your bird sightings and observations can help you remember what you’ve seen and improve your identification skills. E-bird is a great tool for keeping track of your bird sightings and you can see what birds are being spotted near you by other Birders.
Be patient: Birds can be elusive, so be prepared to spend time searching for them. Be patient and enjoy the process of looking and listening for birds. Sometimes you won’t see what you’re looking for but you will always see something.
Respect wildlife: Always observe birds from a distance and avoid disturbing them. Never chase or harass birds, and always be nice to our feathered friends.
Enjoy yourself: I believe Birding should be fun! It doesn’t matter that you’re just starting out, birding can offer a fun and meaningful way to explore the natural world.