How to Become a Birdwatching Hobbyist

Birdwatching is a hobby that allows you to enjoy the wonders of nature without an excessive commitment of time or money. Anyone can keep an eye out for birds, write down what he sees and discuss these findings with other people. Hobbyists who learn how to start birdwatching effectively will get more out of the experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Binoculars
• Writing utensil and pad of paper

Track Birds as a Hobby

1. Make yourself an expert on birds in your area through natural resource groups. Your state's natural resources department has pamphlets and booklets about bird species aimed toward birdwatchers. Universities in your community may have information on local birds or birdwatching groups available to the public.
2. Gather with fellow hobbyists through online resources. You can find people in your community who watch birds as a hobby through Web sites like Meetup (see Resources below). These groups offer a comfortable place for newcomers to learn about birdwatching as a hobby.
3. Document birds in your own back yard before you start your hobby. Birds that frequently nest around your home provide good practice for birdwatching trips in the future. Write down physical details and the sounds the birds make as identifying characteristics.
4. Create a birdwatching form to make your observations easier. These forms can be made on any word processing software and saved as a template for future trips. A popular method is a checklist format where categories with blank lines can be filled in quickly.
5. Cross off the birds you have already seen from a master list of regional species. This list can be created from university or state park publications and can be as simple as a lined sheet of paper. This list will motivate you to expand your hobby over time.
6. Plan trips to find birds that remain on your master list. Your birdwatching group will probably have a schedule of outings where members can expose themselves to new environs. You can also plan side trips on the weekend or during business travel to watch new birds.

Tips & Warnings

• Carry a writing utensil, a pad of paper and a disposable camera as you start birdwatching. You may go on vacation or travel to a nearby city and encounter a bird that you have never seen before. As a birdwatcher, you can document characteristics of the bird and use a non-flash camera to prove your sighting to other watchers.