Backyard Birding

There are really only two things you need to enjoy the birds which frequent your backyard: birds and a place to view them. Providing food, water and shelter will help attract a greater variety of birds. But there are some things which are nice to have indoors, as well. The following is a list of what we keep near our viewing station to help us get the most out of the time we spend watching our birds:

1. Field Guide to North American Birds. Ours is put out by the Audubon Society. I like it because it groups birds together by color, making it easier to identify similar species. But what type of field guide you should have is largely a matter of personal preference. If you do not already own one, I would recommend checking several out from the library and seeing which one you like best. After doing this, I’m considering purchasing a second guide. Our library has one of sketches which aren’t quite as nice as the color photos of our guide, but it includes sketches of the different plumages you might find on males, females, juveniles and in different seasons.

2. Binoculars. These are especially nice if you plan to watch birds at local parks. We use them to watch the red-tailed hawks in the field behind our house and to watch the blue birds hawk for insects at the back of the property.

3. Notebook. I would not have thought of this, myself, but it is a nice way to keep track of what is happening at your feeders. It is interesting to note how many of our birds come at roughly the same time every day. It also showcases those unique visitors, such as our white crested sparrow who we only have seen three or four times. When a new bird shows up, I take notes and make a simple sketch to help me when I look through the field guide. Here are some more ideas to extend the use of the notebook to increase your children’s appreciation for nature.

4. Camera. I am not much of a photographer, but I enjoy trying to take pictures of our birds. They rarely stick around long enough to run for the camera, so it is good to keep it close.

Start with what you have and as you gain experience, you will be able to make more informed decisions about future purchases if you decide any are needed.

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