How to start birding
 |
| Birding- an excellent hobby |
What is bird watching or birding
Bird watching is just what it sounds like: the act of looking at birds. Some birders enjoy trying to identify the bird that they see i.e what is the name of the bird, under which subspecies or genera it falls etc. Others just enjoy the experience of watching a new kind of bird without need to identifying it.
Why watch birds? What makes a person so interested in them
Bird is a wonderful creature made by God. Different birds has different sizes. From smallest Hummingbird to large Ostrich. Different birds has different colours of plumages, habits, habitats, styles of flying, styles of making nests and different calls. Many of our birds sing songs that are very melodious and pleasing to ear. Birds have interesting behavior involving courtship, aggression, devoted parenthood and many more other actions. All these things have attracted humans to bird watching.
 |
| Looking for birds in forest |
How to start birding
Birding is a beautiful hobby that will really bring you close to nature. Watching and studying about birds has an educational value and also enlightening and by it you will get to know what is happening in your local ecosystem.
To be a birder you don't need to have a vast knowledge of Ornithology or you have to have some very expensive equipments.What is the main requirements of birding?---a passion and some patience. Ofcourse you need some basic equipments; a camera, a binoculars and a good field book or book on birds. With these basic things you can start birding even from your kitchen garden or backyard.
In this article you will learn some easy ways a beginner can get started in bird watching. It's not tough not complicated and if you have a real interest in finding birds, you can definitely become a birder.
Basic Birding Tips
1) Go out- You will find more variety of birds in different habitat.
2) Choose right time- Early morning I.e from sunrise to around 8 a.m(this time, intensity of light is very soft) and afternoon are right time for bird watching and bird photography.
3) Spot the bird- Movement, call, colour and size help to locate bird.
4) Carry a pair of binoculars- They help to locate, enjoy and identify birds.
5) Get a good field guide or book- It will help to identify birds.
6) Carry a notebook- Use it to write details of birds that you can not identify.
7) Wear natural coloured clothes- Makes it easy to observe bird. You can go more close without disturbing the bird.
8) Keep birding records- Lists are valuable and can be rewarding.
Let's start birding
In this article I am discussing for the new birder about birding as a hobby. So I am not going to describe in details about the equipments required. Just trying to give a basic idea.
Bionoculars
First basic thing that you need for birding is a binoculars. For almost any bird that crosses your path or perched at a distance, a good pair of binoculars wil show you fine details, make colours pop out of shadows and improve your chance of identifying what you have seen. You are not going to buy new binoculars every couple of years, so choose it carefully , try a lot of varieties and save up for a pair that will deliver great view.
 |
| Nikon Monarch 8x42 |
So how to choose a binoculars? Follow these steps bellow.
1. Decide according to your budget- You can find a good pair of binoculars from 100 dollars to 1000 dollars. High range priced binoculars obviously give a better image and as they are weather shield, you can use it at any weather condition. But to start birding as a hobby, beginners can opt for lower prices bin also.
2. Pick a magnification- Magnification between 8x and 10x is a personal choice. 10x are better for distance birding but it also narrower the field of view, reduce brightness and is also a bit heavier so handshake problem can arise. My personal choice is 8x42 bins which has more field of view and lightweight, gives a bright image in low light also.
3. Check the eye relief- Eye relief is the distance from your eyes to the eyepieces of binoculars. If you wear glasses, choose a bin that have eye relief at least 16 mm. or more.
Field Guide
Second thing which is absolutely necessary for new birder is a Field Guide. Whenever you see a new bird , write down its identification mark; how it's look like, colour of plumage, shape of bill etc and find it in your field guide to know the name. But the best identification book is a matter of choice. Choose a book that are appealing. Look for is the book comfortable to use or not and the bird easy to find in its page. Look for the quality of the pictures also. Consider the size when buying a field guide. |
| Field guide book for identification of bird |
Always buy a book that have a description of birds of your residential state. For example, if you live in America buy a book bearing the description of birds of America. In that case The Paterson Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America or The Paterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America is a good choose.
If you live in India,then Helm Field Guide named Birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Grimmet is a very good choise. You can buy also The Book of Indian Birds written by Salim Ali.
These are the basic requirement to start birding. So with a little passion and love for the bird go out and enjoy your leisure time with birds. Wish Happy Birding to all.
Gears is not everything
It is a popular excuse of people for a less than perfect photograph of bird that they don't have a very good and highly priced camera. It is true that a good camera and a good lens helps to take a good photograph but ultimately it is the person behind the camera who takes the picture, not the camera itself.
You can take an excellent picture with less expensive cameras and lenses if you have the skill, knowledge, preparation and determination. A lens with focal length of at least 300 mm and a camera capable of shutter speed 1/2000 second is enough for the beginners. If it has a good auto focus system then it is an extra gain.
Choose the right time
Time of the day is a main factor for taking a good picture. You can often get a good shot of Nocturnal bird in the early morning while they returning to their nest as well as other birds going out for their morning meal. Late afternoon is also a good time for photographing birds as these times of the day provides some of the most dramatical and soft lighting.
Study the habit of your subject
Do some study of the bird you are willing to take photographs. Read about the feeding, mating and how they make their nest and also take a note when and where the bird can be found.
Wait for the bird come to you
Many new birders try to get closure to the bird of which they want to take photograph. But it is much more effective to simply wait patiently for the bird to come to there natural habitat. Learn to be still and move slowly. If you do startle your subject away and it doesn't move far, give it a little time and it may return.
Learn the art of hiding
You often won't get an oppertunity to shoot from a blind, that doesn't mean that you can't get aphoto of the bird you are willing to shoot. Wear natural coloured clothes, preferably earth-toned colour if you don't have camouflage clothing. Shiny objects like jewelry, eye glasses etc. can reflect sunlight that can spook entire flock. So try to avoid them.
Try to focus the eyes
Bird photos will come to life and connect to viewers through their eyes.. Always try to focus on the eyes of the bird and if possible try to capture the little light in the eyes known as catch light. This normally happens when the light comes from the front of the bird. So, try to take picture keeping the sun behind of you.
If you have read up to here, I am sure that you have a love for birds.. So, go out for a day with whatever you have; a binoculars or a camera, and spend some hours with birds and I am sure you will soon get a passion for birding.
Next : Nikon B 700 for Birding
 |
| Helm Field Guide |
Camera
If you want to take the photographs of the birds, then you have a wide option of very good digital camera. As you are going to start birding just as a hobby, you need not to buy highly priced camera. only you need a camera that has a long telelens. And in that case Nicon B700 is a very good choise .It has fully automatic as well as some manual functions also. If you can afford a little bit, you can buy Nikon D5300 also but in that case you have to buy another telephoto lens with it to serve your purpose. Click here to view specification of Nikon B 700 |
| Nikon B700 |
Some basic photography tips
Taking great images of birds specially in open area need some basic knowledge and skill. Let's talk of some of those challenges and how to overcome them.Gears is not everything
It is a popular excuse of people for a less than perfect photograph of bird that they don't have a very good and highly priced camera. It is true that a good camera and a good lens helps to take a good photograph but ultimately it is the person behind the camera who takes the picture, not the camera itself.
You can take an excellent picture with less expensive cameras and lenses if you have the skill, knowledge, preparation and determination. A lens with focal length of at least 300 mm and a camera capable of shutter speed 1/2000 second is enough for the beginners. If it has a good auto focus system then it is an extra gain.
 |
| Nikon D 5300 |
 |
| Nikon 70-300 mm lens |
Time of the day is a main factor for taking a good picture. You can often get a good shot of Nocturnal bird in the early morning while they returning to their nest as well as other birds going out for their morning meal. Late afternoon is also a good time for photographing birds as these times of the day provides some of the most dramatical and soft lighting.
Study the habit of your subject
Do some study of the bird you are willing to take photographs. Read about the feeding, mating and how they make their nest and also take a note when and where the bird can be found.
Wait for the bird come to you
Many new birders try to get closure to the bird of which they want to take photograph. But it is much more effective to simply wait patiently for the bird to come to there natural habitat. Learn to be still and move slowly. If you do startle your subject away and it doesn't move far, give it a little time and it may return.
Learn the art of hiding
You often won't get an oppertunity to shoot from a blind, that doesn't mean that you can't get aphoto of the bird you are willing to shoot. Wear natural coloured clothes, preferably earth-toned colour if you don't have camouflage clothing. Shiny objects like jewelry, eye glasses etc. can reflect sunlight that can spook entire flock. So try to avoid them.
Try to focus the eyes
Bird photos will come to life and connect to viewers through their eyes.. Always try to focus on the eyes of the bird and if possible try to capture the little light in the eyes known as catch light. This normally happens when the light comes from the front of the bird. So, try to take picture keeping the sun behind of you.
 |
| Catch light- Look at the reflection of light on the eyes |
Next : Nikon B 700 for Birding
No comments