Bird Watching for Beginners
If you are interested in learning more about the wildlife around us and in particular the many bird species that frequent our rivers, lakes & shores, then you may be wondering how to start birdwatching.
There are no hard and fast rules to watching birds, for your own enjoyment is reason enough, however, we have put together a few tips to help you get started and hopefully inspire a lifelong love of birdwatching!
Where to go
There are many dedicated RSPB nature reserves where you can go for a walk and see if you can spot various species of birds, as well as numerous social media pages and groups that you can join, and they will often post locations where a specific bird type may have been seen. Local to here you have Saltholme, Scorton & Nosterfield nature reserves. Ultimately though, just getting outside and listening to the birdsong or seeing what feathered friends may be visiting your garden is a great way to start! Birds are all around us, you do not need to travel far or out of your way to spot some beautiful examples. Learning what the most common bird types are can also give you a great foundation for the future and will help you to understand how to spot differences in appearance, song, and flight patterns.
You will come across varied species of birds in different places, so once you are familiar with the birds in your local area, you can try expanding your bird-watching adventures to include the Dales, Moors or forests to see what you can find!
What should I do?
It can be sometimes helpful to record the birds you have seen and the features that stand out. Consider writing down where you saw a bird, what it was doing at the time, how big it was, what its song sounds like and any other notable features and as you become more experienced, whether the bird was female or male and more experienced ‘topography.’
Getting in the habit of noting down features or using your smartphone to record and take pictures if you’re of the younger generation can stand you in great stead for being able to correctly identify bird types in the future.
Identifying what you have seen or distinguishing between two similar-looking birds is going to be tricky if you are a complete beginner, however, there are many readily available bird guides to help you as you start your journey. If you don’t want to carry around a book there are apps, you can download to your phone to help you identify different bird species. Try “Collins Bird Guide” (UK) & “Merlin”.
What equipment do I need?
There is a misconception among many people that in order to successfully bird-watch you need top of the range equipment such as binoculars, spotting scopes and digital cameras. This is simply not true. Although we would always recommend a good pair of binoculars, you can get a pair without it costing earth. Here at Grovers Optics we know all about binoculars for birdwatching and even have a dedicated page on our website for beginners!
We have put together a collection of the best beginner binoculars, from a range of top brands such as Hawke and suitable for all budgets, so you can find your perfect pair for birdwatching. If you are still unsure what you should buy, then our experienced and friendly team is only a phone call or email away. We are the biggest binocular shop in the North, so we’re confident we’ll be able to help answer any of your questions!
If you want to get some snaps of the birds you find, then a digital camera will help you identify a species later.
If you plan on birdwatching during the colder months, we recommend some waterproof footwear and warm clothing, as birdwatching requires a little patience! And of course, a sturdy backpack is always useful!
Do I need to join a group?
There are plenty of birdwatching and nature societies in the UK, which you may wish to become a member of. However, it really isn’t necessary, especially if you’re just starting out and simply enjoying watching and identifying birds. We would always recommend doing what feels best for you and what is within your budget.
If you want to learn more about the local bird watching community, social media groups and pages are a safe way to initiate yourself with the hobby and find people local to you that may also have an interest. It is also an excellent way to make friends and share knowledge and experience.
You may read a lot of advice when looking for birdwatching for beginners’ tips, however, the best advice we can offer is get out there & have some fun. You can do it for your own enjoyment, so it doesn’t matter if you don’t see a rare bird or can’t identify common garden birds. We all have to start somewhere, and birdwatching skills are learned with experience!
If you have any questions regarding binoculars, spotting scopes or thermal imagers, why not pop-in and visit us in-store? We have a wide range of all and our staff are always happy to answer any questions or queries you may have.
Grovers Optics & Photo
216 – 217 High Street, Northallerton. DL7 8LW
If you’d prefer to get in touch via phone, you can call us on: 01609 898098, or email us:hello@grovers.biz
