The bird watcher’s checklist : Bird watching is an amazing experience for any bird watcher and for anyone looking to learn about birds and everything about them. However, most people go for bird watching unprepared or unequipped for this beautiful experience.
That’s why in this article we want to highlight some of the things a bird watcher should have as they go for their bird watching experience.
- Binoculars
Birds are little beings and they fly so high or they will be in trees most of the times. So the binoculars help you to spot the bird, magnify it and enjoy it. The size quality and performance of the binoculars will definitely depend on your preference, birds you are hoping to watch and probably your budget. But just know, you will need binoculars to enjoy the full beauty of the birds.
- Bird Feeds
If you want the birds to come close to you, so that you can see them up close. You will need to have some bird feeds to lure them to you. This helps a lot for those who are studying the birds; it’s a great way to observe the birds without disrupting their natural life flow. Also because of the feeds the birds stay around you or close to you peacefully.
- Birding guide
You need a guide, a person, an app or written material with the guide. This will help you not waste time moving in the forest or bird habitat hoping to land on birds. With a human guide the birding will be more easier, so we advise you get a human and also it saves time, The bird watcher’s checklist.
But if you are more adventurous or you’re of those who like to do things on their own, please get one of those birding guide apps or a written copy of the birding routes. It will save you a lot of strain and time. In the long run you will be a happy birder.
- Water and Snacks
Water and snacks for yourself. Birding is more like mountain gorilla trekking, you keep walking and walking until you find the birds in their nests or hide outs. This long walking can be very tiring and draining; that’s why you need snacks for the experience. The water is to keep you rehydrated even as you continue, without constant rehydration, you will faint or tire before you even reach the middle of your bird watching.
- Camera
Not necessarily a must for a birder to have a camera but let’s be honest, you wouldn’t want to see beautiful, magnificent birds and not want to take a picture of them. So be ready for that moment, get yourself a camera to capture those birds and those moments. The camera doesn’t have to be complex, it just needs to be able to capture good pictures of the birds and the environment.
In today’s era where phones also have very great cameras, you could actually just invest in a phone with a good camera and it will serve you right.
That said, it’s your choice whether you take pictures of the birds or not, so camera can be optional.
- Good company
Bird watching can never be a sole experience, its just not fun, so before you embark on your bird watching experience make sure you have some folks you are going to hunt birds with you. Having more than one set of eyes looking out for these birds helps you spot them easily from different points.
Also bird watching can be tiring and you may meet, tough trails, you need to be with someone who can help or call for help in case of anything.
