The Bird Watcher’s Kit
Bird watching is one of the most popular hobbies in the United States and Europe. People who indulge in bird watching cover a wide spectrum; ranging from the casual park goers who feed pigeons, to environmentalists who view, photograph, and catalog various avian species.
If you’re serious about bird watching, and are taking it up as a fulltime hobby, there are a few things you’ll need to take with you on your trips. Depending on your personal tastes and your reasons for taking up bird watching, you may not necessarily need all of the equipment presented here; however, it never hurts to be prepared. Also, if the place where you are going is known to have mosquitoes, it would be a good idea to take insect repellent spray.
Binoculars
Any good set of binoculars will do for bird watching, though if you’re planning to view nocturnal birds, make sure that the set you get also includes night vision capability. Since you’ll be outdoors for the most part, get a rugged set that can withstand most terrain and weather conditions.
Bird Guide
If you’re packing a palmtop, download a bird guide, or buy a small pocket guide at a bookstore. With a good guide, you’ll be able to identify the breed of bird you’re watching, as well as obtaining useful information like its feeding habits and behavior patterns. The best guides also have tips on popular parks and preserves you can visit.
Digital Camera
Digital cameras are silent as opposed to classic shutter-types, which make them useful for bird watching. Birds are extremely sensitive to noise, especially in the wilderness, so a digital camera won’t spook them. Be sure to choose a camera that has high resolution and a high frame capture rate, in case you get a shot of a bird on the wing. Also, get a digital camera with good zoom range, since you’ll most likely be viewing birds from a good distance away.
Note Pad and Pen
Keeping a journal allows you to keep track of what kinds of birds you’ve spotted, when, where, and under what conditions. Besides being a diary of sorts, this can actually be especially handy if you come across a rare species of bird, or even one that is on an endangered species list so that you can report its presence and location to your local wildlife preserve.
Hat
Consider the climate and the weather. Think of the location where you will be going bird watching. If it’s just in the vicinity of your neighborhood, then that “any old hat” of yours will do. But if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors under the rays of the sun, then get the appropriate hat.
A good bird watching hat should be lightweight with a brim for sun protection. It should always be wider than your face. If you are going to a place where there is little covering and where you will be exposed to the sun for some time, consider protection for your ears and the sides of your face. A sunscreen also affords protection, but it cannot keep the feeling of heat off your skin. On days when it’s really bright, you could have a problem with glare so you’ll want to protect your face. A higher crown is good for better ventilation. Waterproof nylons are ideal for tropical conditions.
Color me camouflage. An outrageous, funny hat would be very tempting for an outdoor activity, but only for humans and not for birds. Bird watching is strictly that – watching; and when you scare birds off, what else is there to do? Remember that you will enter the birds’ territory, even if you watch them from afar. The best hat color would be the ones that resemble mulch or dried leaves or the ground. So go for the tan, beige and dark greens. Avoid hats that are pure white and those that come in bright colors. If you look like your surroundings, birds are less likely to be agitated at a sight that is familiar to them.
Vest
You can move around better by wearing a pair of cargo pants and a birding vest. The birding vest is made of lightweight material and has open sides for ventilation. It has pockets to hold the things needed for bird watching in front as well as a small pack for food in the back. This vest is not that different from the one used by those who like to go fishing or hiking. It comes in various colors and designs and can fit anyone who decides to take it along. The only problem is that these are not waterproof or water resistant so the individual will have to find some shelter fast when it rains.
People can find these vests in the hobby store or online. The average price for one is about $69; but will last for a very long time as long as it is properly taken care of. It is also machine washable making it easy to clean the dirt and sweat accumulated during the trip.
General Outdoor Gear
This isn’t for the casual birdwatcher. For those who plan to actually take trips out into the wilderness however, pack a tent, sleeping bag, rations of food and water, and other camping essentials. Include safety and survival gear like first aid kits and emergency flares.