The Basics of Birding
The Basics of Birding. Birding is but another excuse to get outside. And a good one. Because for many of us, the greater outdoors have been cut off as states continue to disway travelers, which has been especially tough for the outdoorsmen who live in urban areas. Birding, however, can be done from anywhere. Whether you’re in the backcountry or at home in your backyard, the tools required are minimal. With nothing more than a good birding binocular, some comfortable clothes, field guide, and a notebook to record what you see, getting started is simple. There’s no better time than right now to enjoy some sunshine and warm weather while listening to the songs of spring.
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Birding Binocular The Basics of Birding
Many experienced birders prefer an 8x42 binocular because it has a wider field of view and allows more light to reach your eye. This makes it easier to find birds in a tree’s canopy from the deep green of spring to the colorful hues of fall. Also, anyone who holds a binocular to their eyes for long periods of time will tell you that a 42mm objective lens is typically a good weight and allows the maximum amount of light to reach their eyes, even in the low light of early morning and late evening. For the all day trips, those that go beyond the backyard, we highly recommend a binocular harness. The support provided by a harness will keep your neck and back comfortable throughout the day as you spend long hours on your feet looking up.
Setting up a binocular for birding, hunting, or any activity is easy. Simply follow these steps.
Clothes and Footwear The Basics of Birding
Birds are wild animals. While they don’t get quite as spooked by human presence as deer or elk, the key to a successful birding day is to become part of their natural environment. Wearing the right clothes, which can be camouflage or darker colors, will give you so many more opportunities to get close to birds. Also, try to move slowly and deliberately through your surroundings. This is where the right footwear comes in. Opt for boots or shoes that A) that are broken in to avoid blisters and B) have a soft sole to increase your margin of error when moving over dried leaves and twigs. Or, if you’re in the backyard, go barefoot.
The Birder’s Life List
The Life List is certainly not required to become a bird watcher. It’s just a nice way to keep track of the bird’s you’ve identified over time. You can record your finds in a notebook or journal. There are also a range of great books available that dive deep into every avian creature in the United States and worldwide. These are fine resources even for those interested in identifying the birds they see on a daily basis.
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Having a good binocular for birdwatching will lead to a rather enjoyable experience.
As spring gently makes it way up through the nation, many birds are following that warm air. It’s always amazing to hear the first warblers or see the first hummingbirds about the time of the dogwood’s bloom. You may even consider setting out feeders in the backyard. That way, you only need a bird watching binocular nearby to begin your journey as an observer of the avian world.
Checkout the full line of TRACT Binoculars:
Top Rated Birding Binocular: TORIC 8x42
Works well for Shore Birds: TORIC 10x42