If you want a hobby that will bring you closer to nature, birding or bird watching is the perfect pastime for you. Studying the birds is educational and enlightening, and it really opens your eyes to what is going on in your surroundings. Some people think that you need to have extensive knowledge to be a birdwatcher, but really, all it takes is to be interested in birds. Here are some tips that birdwatching newbies must remember. 1. Have high-quality optics for birding, aka binoculars. To make sure you can enjoy the beautiful birds, purchase excellent binoculars that can give you a bright, colorful picture of birds. Most great options for binoculars cost around $250 to $1,000, depending on your preferences. To start with, a pair of binoculars with a 10x magnification can be significant. You can also buy spotting scopes, tripods, monoculars, range finders, and night vision optics. 2. Carry a field guide with you. Once you start seeing birds, it is an excellent option to have a guide so you can identify what breeds they are. Most people use the Sibley Guide, National Geographic Guide, Kaufman Guide, and Peterson Guide. Your field guide should not be just a book with bird photos that contain valuable information, like their habitat, diet, calls, songs, and migration patterns. 3. Install a bird feeder. An excellent next step for birding is to have birds in your backyard so that you can have a great look at them. Bird feeders come in all types: a sunflower feeder, a suet feeder, and a hummingbird feeder. You can also opt for a millet, thistle seeds, mealworms, and fruits so that other bird species can visit you, too. 4. Always have a pen and notebook with you. Most birders keep a notebook to detail the different types that they have spotted. You can do this seasonally, or yearly, depending on your preferences and availability. Some birdwatchers also have a life list of all the birds they have ever seen in their life. It is a great tool to celebrate your victories and document your birding journey. 5. Enjoy taking bird photography. Though this is optional, taking photos of birds is an exciting and rewarding way to document your experiences. This is also a challenge because some birds do not mind pictures, while others are incredibly elusive. Birding can be enjoyable and fun, as long as you don't forget to relieve yourself from pressure. The information that you can learn is limitless, so just trust the process. For the best tools and optics for birding, visitoptics4birding.com, and browse their excellent product options.
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