Here are some beginner birding tips written by a beginner birder… Me! I recently completed a bird taxonomy course as part of my master’s degree, which included a mandatory 20 hours of bird watching. I never paid much attention to birds before this course. Of course, I can identify obvious birds like common mallards and Canadian geese. But, I did not know how to find other bird species and identify them. Here are a few tips that I learned the last few weeks that might be useful if you are starting to learn about birds!
1. Take your normal walking speed and slow that down significantly. By walking slower, you will be less likely to disturb birds and more likely to get a good look at them.
2. The Merlin Bird ID app by Cornell University is excellent to use when identifying birds because it will suggest several bird species based on your answers regarding your location and the bird’s characteristics. NOTE: Remember to download the appropriate location package in the app before going into the field; otherwise, the app will not work.
3. Another great app by Cornell University is eBird. This app allows you to track the birds you see during a birding session. I also found it was super exciting to have a log of the birds I see during a walk!
4. The best time to see birds is during the morning or late afternoon. I found that I was more likely to see birds during the morning than during mid-day.
5. Waterbirds are just lovely because they are large and slow-moving, making them easier to observe and identify.
6. Patience is critical when birding.
These are the tips that have been helpful for me when learning to find and identify birds. If you have any other suggestions, please share them in the comments section below!
Cheers,
Christine
Christine Song 