How to watch wildlife

Watching wildlife is a great way to interact with nature without affecting your surroundings or causing any stress in the environment. Depending on where you live, it can also be a simple outdoor activity for your whole family or an adventure that requires careful planning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Binoculars
• <br>Camera
• <br>Pen and journal
• <br>Map
• <br>Compass
• <br>Water
• <br>Snacks
• <br>Comfortable shoes

1. Plan well in advance. If you are going somewhere especially to watch wildlife, it makes sense to find out what species you can expect to see, what the weather will be like and what environmental conditions you are likely to encounter. This will not only help you plan the trip better, but it can also up your chances of seeing animals that are often shy or difficult to spot.
2. Put together a few essentials. A map of the area and a camera are usually in everybody’s list, but a lot of people forget to bring other items, such as binoculars, a notebook to jot down details and notes and even a compass. Also, bring water and snacks if you plan on being on the field for an extended period of time.
3. Be patient. Select a spot where you are relatively invisible to the animals. Up a tree or on an elevated platform is best, but you can also find a place behind structures or large boulders. Also, make sure you find a place that is comfortable so you don’t need to shift around too much and can wait for the animals to approach the area.
4. Wear comfortable shoes made for hiking or walking. If you are going out to watch birds, you will need to look for them (as opposed to waiting for them to walk by), so you will want to make sure that you wear sensible shoes that don’t make a lot of noise when stepping. Rubber soles are best.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear soft colors. In winter, white and light browns are better (especially in areas with a lot of snow). In summer, greens or camouflage work best. Avoid reds and oranges, as they may cause some animals to react aggressively.
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• <br>Don’t wear perfumes or products that emit strong odors. Make sure your clothes don’t smell like softener. Animals are extremely sensitive to smells and they may stay away if they perceive something they cannot recognize.
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• <br>Leave your cell phone home or put it in mute. Even vibration can alert animals of your presence.