Birding

Birding for Recreation and Education

Birding is a pursuit that holds many rewards; people of all ages get to see beautiful and diverse birdlife in their own backyards or rare species in exotic locations. They get to experience the interaction between bird and environment, bird and bird, and bird and human. They gain an appreciation for the fragility of the ecosystem at the same time as they realize how strong and resilient some species are. But ideally, birding also holds rewards for the objects of the search as well. Birders are typically very concerned with preserving and providing viable habitats, and amateurs contribute greatly to scientific knowledge of bird habits and species. Birding for recreation, education, and the benefit of the birds themselves makes this a hobby that is much more than a hobby.

When it comes to bird watching, the line between recreation and education is fuzzy at best - and that's a good thing. Much can come of a simple outing to watch local species, whether it is a feeling of relaxation, solidarity with fellow birders, or a desire to create a bird-friendly habitat in your backyard. As such, there is really no distinction between birders who are observing for recreation and those who are observing for education. There may be a grade or a paycheck involved for some, but for all, the thrill of seeing a species for the first time or seeing migratory birds returning for the season is equal to all.

There are, of course, different levels to which you can take your bird watching. For instance, a beginner or casual observer may simply find joy in putting out potted plants or birdseed for their backyard species. Others want to identify the bird seen flying overhead or then others find birding to be the reason to take trips and explore new parts of the world. For this reason, field guides are usually an ever-present tool of birders.

Bird identification is the first step for effective bird watching; knowing what you are seeing is always helpful! You will find that you seem to have new eyes; you will see species that were once indistinguishable to you. You will find nests where you couldn't before, and you will be able to tell what types of environments will hold which types of birdlife. Taking your birding from recreation to education is not really such a big step: you simply have a desire to learn more about the birds. You learn their songs, their characteristics, their nesting or mating habits. You learn how you can help foster a suitable environment for them.

Whether you are birding for recreating or education, or both, it is important to observe basic birding ethics. Can you, or should you, take flash photos? Should you help that baby bird that seems to have fallen from the nest? Should you use bird calls to attract the species you would like to see? It is important to know the answers no matter if you're enjoying birding for fun or you are learning about birdlife for a job or for school. Let's take a look at some tips to help you and those around you enjoy birding:



Above all, remember that you are an observer, not a participant. It can be very tempting to call that rare bird that you know is somewhere close or to help a bird who appears to be hurt. But when enjoying nature, and our role as a birder is respect, observe, and leave unharmed.

Birders don't differentiate between birding for fun or for learning; they can easily do both, and one is certainly guaranteed to lead to the other.

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