Bird Watching Trips

Take Exciting Bird Watching Trips

Being a birder, as tens of millions of people are, means finding great beauty no matter where you are. You can look out your front door, your office window, or though the window of your car on your commute and find birds to watch.

While we may love our local species and the variety we can find in our everyday lives, many avid bird watchers long to explore different species, those they've seen pictures of but haven't had the opportunity to view with their own eyes. For these people, a trip to one of the world's premier bird watching spots is certainly in order. Where should you go? What is the best way to see what you want to see, and maybe some things that you didn't know you wanted to see?

There are different ways to plan a bird watching trips. Most birders prefer to do a little initial planning so they know what they can expect - and to be sure that they don't miss out on anything. There is nothing more disappointing to a birder than finding out they could have seen a rare and beautiful specimen if only they'd done a little research. To ensure that you don't feel this, figure out if you have a target bird. That is, are you traveling to view a particular type of bird? If so, this will narrow down your options, and you can book a tour or go on your own.

Another method is to choose a locale and see what the bird watching options are. This is helpful if you want to take a bird watching vacation and your spouse wants to spend the trip shopping or visiting attractions. You can both get what you want. This is certainly the case with exotic locations like the Galapagos Islands or African safaris. There is no reason to limit your fun to bird watching.

No matter where you go, always be prepared. If you are planning a trip to an exotic locale, it can be frustrating when you don't know what types of birds you are seeing. Others may simply enjoy the view, but birders want to add to their lists too! Invest in a field guide for the area in which you are visiting. Take it with you on your excursions, and you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation. You may also want to bring notebook for your observations and a camera for those incredible shots that you can't wait to show off. And please, please, please don't forget to pack your binoculars. You'll be livid with yourself.

You can always go to your destination on your own, and this is advantageous because you set your own schedule and pace. Many birders, though, prefer traveling with a tour group. Why? For one, they have an experienced guide who can help them spot and identify wild birds. For another, there is nothing like talking shop with fellow birders. You will surrounded by people who share your passion, and who, hopefully, can share some valuable tips or stories. A group or guided tour is also a great way to find those target birds, if that is your goal.

You can also enjoy birding festivals, which is a great way to see a variety of birds, meet other birders, and enjoy a slice of the country at the same time. The Monterey Bay Birding Festival, for instance, is held in the Pajaro Valley and Monterey Bay region of California. Here you can experience the awe-inspiring redwood forests and beautiful shorelines, not to mention the opportunity to view over 600 recorded species, including the endangered and majestic California Condor.

Where are the biggest birding hotspots in the world? The Galapagos Islands is a major center, as is nearby Ecuador. This tiny region has an astonishing and fascinating array of birdlife, including endemic species of penguins, flamingos, and finches. There is nothing else like the Galapagos on earth, and it has long been a focus of study and scientific inquiry and fun vacations! South Africa's national parks have some of the most stunning birdlife in the world, and in addition, you may just see lions, elephants, giraffe, and zebras. Certainly a well-rounded vacation, and one that you will never forget.

Alaska's magnificent peaks and shorelines are another birders' paradise: bundle up and get your camera ready. Texas's 2000 mile birding trail is a national treasure, and a must-see for any serious bird watcher. There are hotspots all across the world, and sometimes you don't have to stray very far from home to find them. You will discover vastly different ecosystems and behavior patterns, vastly different appearances and songs. One thing that remains the same no matter where you go is the beauty of birds and their ability to captivate us.

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