Can you name the number one spectator
sport in North America?
It's not baseball, figure skating or racing. It's bird watching.
That's right, more people are watching birds than football and hockey
combined. With so many people hoping to see a bird they've never seen
before, it's not surprising to see a clamoring for the latest tips and
tools to get the job done. Here are my top five tips for getting the
most out of your birding experience.
#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds obvious, but many birders
spend the majority of their bird watching time and energy on poor
locations. Some folk have the advantage of looking out of their
windows into the back yard to observe nature's best. The rest of us
need to get moving. I would highly recommend visiting a National
Wildlife Refuge. There are over 500 of them across the United States.
To find one near you, visit
http://refuges.fws.gov/
#2. Know What Species to Expect. There are approximately 900 species
of birds in the United States and recognizing each of them is nearly
impossible. So when you visit an area, do a little research first. You
may find that perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that
particular area. With a little preparation, you will be able to more
readily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list of
successfully viewed species - we'll call this tip number two and a
half.
#3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending time and money to get to
the right place can be totally wasted when your binoculars are
inadequate. If you have an inexpensive pair of binoculars you are not
getting the most out of your viewing. Today's technologies come at a
price and they provide crucial benefits in wildlife viewing. For
instance, image stabilization will keep your view from shaking-very
important when watching from a long distance. Other cool features
include anti-fogging, low-light viewing and wide-view characteristics.
Additionally, binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to
identify birds once you get home. These benefits will definitely
enhance your bird watching. A great pair of binoculars will turn a
mediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it!
#4. Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, and especially
birds, is to have the ability to very quickly put your binoculars on
target. Many people have difficulty finding a full moon in a pair of
binoculars-but alas-learning to focus on a bird in a bush or track a
bird in flight is easy for someone who has practiced prior to their
outing. Try this before you go; lower your binoculars to your side and
very quickly raise them to find and follow a jet airliner across the
sky. After only a few attempts, you'll get good at quickly acquiring
your target. Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds,
practice to become proficient.
#5. Take Someone with You. Life is always better when shared. Not only
do you get to spend time out of doors with someone you like, but they
might alert you to the "Number One Sight of the Day." Share your
birding experiences with your friends and family. Pass the birding
excitement to a child.
The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer, control
almost every aspect of the experience. The more you are prepared, the
more rewarding your time in our backcountry will be.
Use this information and you'll Get It Right The First Time. Get
Outdoors!If you need to rent a car, contact Amigo at
www.amigorentals.com
Want a day of great golfing? We have some of the best golf courses
in the world. Check them out at
here.
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Chuck
Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online
specialty store with the "Best Gear Out There" and dedicated to
helping outdoor enthusiasts to "Get It Right The First Time" with
timely educational information. Please visit
http://www.BackCountryToys.com to find great gear and to receive
the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, "FreshAir." (800) 316-9055.
