Birding Basics

For my newer readers who are not aware, I’ll quickly recap how I started birding. Then for those who might be interested, I’ll share how birding connects to wellness, give you a few pointers based on the many mistakes I’ve made, and then share some of what I’ve found. Shortly after I retired, I found myself saddled with chronic pain. It escalated to the point where most of my hobbies, when pursued punished me with a level of pain that made pursuing them further completely untenable. So, when things were bad, I installed bird feeders in our front yard, fought with the squirrels began watching with interest and reading about birding and the various species. I bought a “Life List” book to check off birds that I’d seen, but found that somehow unappealing so I decided that If I couldn’t get a photograph of the bird, I wouldn’t check it off. That evolved into getting a good photograph which evolved into what I am doing now.

The December 2024 edition of Psychology Today has a nice article summing up several wellness components of birdwatching (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfully-doing-what-matters/202405/birding-your-way-to-well-being#:~:text=Novel%20fascinating%20and%20pleasant%20environments,well%2Dbeing%20and%20reduces%20distress.). I apologize for the long link. The sum of it is that it can make you feel better and reduce stress. There have been other studies that show bird watching lowers blood pressure as well. I don’t doubt any of those claims. But, if you are looking for a reason to birdwatch, consider these; birds are nearly everywhere we are, they are beautiful, interesting, intelligent and engaging with a nearly endless biodiversity that has developed them in all shapes, sizes, colors and temperaments.

How does one get started? Well, one of the beautiful things about birding as a hobby is that in its most basic form, it requires nothing but you. Nothing but you to watch, listen, observe and learn. I’ll suggest that if you are interested in this or if you have someone who you are going to try to get started on this hobby (a family member or friend) that there are a few things that can make your experience more interesting and fulfilling. There are also some things that I’m going to suggest that you do, and that you avoid doing. Because I did these things and either wasted my time or money or both.

Stuff: Like any other hobby, you can spend a lot of money birding. A lot. I suggest stating off small/slow with a few things you can pick up for free or inexpensively. Find a pair of binoculars. They don’t have to be great. Just good enough so that you can see the detail on a bird that you can’t make out with your naked eye. You should have a bird identification book of some kind. I use Peterson Field Guides Eastern Birds. There are many out there, just make sure what you get covers the geographical area where you live and has a handy way to identify your critters that includes pictures. I also suggest two different resources from Cornell University that are FANTASTIC. The first is their web site the online bird guide (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/). It has a tremendous amount of information, identification resources, maps and so on. The second is an app from Cornell called Merlin Bird ID. It can identify your bird by song, by photo, or step by step.

Okay, now you have your stuff! It’s time to go out and bird! Some of you may want to keep a “life list”. There are apps that can do that, but as I don’t use them I can’t recommend any. There are books. I use the National Geographic Birder’s Life List and Journal. This book seems to work well for me and as of today, I have recorded 97 species. A word of caution based on what I’ve learned. Try and verify your identification with two resources. Some of these little critters (like the sparrow family) can be very difficult to identify correctly.

There are different strategies for bird watching. You can stay right at home and watch from your dining room or porch, or you can go to where the birds “are”. As I’m certain it is obvious to everyone by now, I employ both strategies. If you are going to feed birds, set out to feed the birds and not the other wildlife. Squirrels, raccoons, opossum and black bears to name a few rather enjoy bird seed. The squirrels being the worst of the feeder raiders. A little guidance: 1. Set the feeders more than jump distance from any bush or tree. 2. Invest in a raccoon baffle (they also foil the limb rats). 3. Prepare for trial, error and frustration at first.

If you have a retail store like Wild Birds Unlimited where you live, they are a great resource for feeder types, food etc. You can attract a great many types of birds to your yard with a variety of feeders and food. But, careful observation, a keen eye and patience will also show you who is really flying around your neighborhood.

This is a fantastic hobby for everyone from kids to seniors. Birds are everywhere. They are interesting, for the most part (the Turkey Vulture above may be an exception) beautiful, and they add to our lives. Who hasn’t been to a dentist’s office with a bird feeder outside the room? Who among us in the south has not had a plucky little Carolina Wren take up residence in our garage or a wreath left on a door for a day too long? We wake to the song of the cardinals in the morning and they are joined by the wrens. We turn the lights off at night often serenaded by Barred Owls hooting in the distance. Try the hobby. What have you got to lose? The birds are already your neighbors and I guarantee they are watching you. Watch them back!

If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. Call 988 or if you are in the Big Bend of Florida call 211. The 2nd Alarm Project has many resources available as well (2ndalarmproject.org). If you are interested in getting notified when a new blog is posted and are not subscribed, please consider subscribing by entering your email in the “subscribe” icon on the home page. Then you’ll get an email each time a new blog is posted. If you appreciate what you have read here, please feel free to share as you are led across your social media or via email. There just might be someone out there who needs to see this content. Thank you all and stay safe.