Birdwatching On Your Travels
Many people think birding is an art that takes years to hone, but you can pick up the basics easily. In fact, theres nothing stopping you from starting either at home or on your next trip. The most essential piece of kit is your natural awareness, says birding expert David Lindo. Train yourself to stop occasionally and tune yourself into the nature around you. Once youve got a keen eye and developed an ear for your surroundings, youll start noticing more. But your own optics can only take you so far. The skittish nature of birds means youre never guaranteed a close-up glimpse, so youre going to need a pair of binoculars. There are some remarkably good pairs for less than 150 (Tk 17,000), explains Matt Merritt, editor of Birdwatching magazine. Even for 300, some extra-low dispersion binoculars (which improve focus at long distances) can match the optics of 2,000 models.
Good, compact models can be found for your travels, too. But dont scrimp too much, as inferior models can potentially damage your eyes. Try to road test a set before buying, or chat to experienced birders for their opinion.
A field guide (many also come as apps for your tablet or phone) for the area in which youre travelling is also a useful research tool and will become your Go-To when in the wild.
When starting out, just admiring a birds movements and characteristics can build your awareness. But as your interest grows, youll naturally want to know what types of species youre encountering, too. Wherever you are in the world, try and learn a handful of the most common birds, says Matt. Then, you can use those as yardsticks against anything more unusual.
Taking notes is also useful. Scribble down a birds size, leg length, the shape of its bill and distinctive colours, where possible, and then compare it to your field guide until youre confident youve found the species. Habitat can be a useful clue to help aid in identification as well, adds Mark Ward of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). For example, if it has long legs and is found poking its beak into a muddy beach, its likely a wader.
Try and prepare for times when you wont be able to spot the bird straight away. For example: Learning bird songs and calls can be really useful, says Liz Gordon from the American Birding Association. Practice is important, so try to gain experience in areas near you before you start travelling.
Birdwatching is easy to build into your travels. Before you go, though, Matt advises that you do some research into the species near the sites youre planning to visit.
Trips to reserves often promise a greater array of sightings, but you often dont need to alter your itinerary at all. For example, if youre wandering Berlin, keep an eye out for nightingales or goshawks near the Brandenburg Gate. Alternatively, tilt your head skyward in Buenos Aires for views of great kiskadees and shiny cowbirds.
Youll find birds provide a natural soundtrack to your trip, also helping you to identify them, adds Mark, whether its the squawking of parrots or beautiful songbirds.
An easy way to turn your trip into a natural adventure is to find a dedicated birding tour. Travelling with like-minded people will help improve your skills and your passion, says Liz. Swapping notes helps, too.
Never be afraid to ask birders for help, adds David. Theyre a forgiving lot and love to impart knowledge.
However eager you are to identify every bird you spot, you shouldnt be worried if you cant. Birdwatching can easily become a box-ticking exercise, when it shouldnt be. But dont get lazy and accept the identity of birds from others, warns David. Ask yourself questions about its appearance and come to your own conclusion.
Overzealous, misinformed practices can also harm birds. Keeping noise to a bare minimum is a well-known unwritten rule, but also keep your distance when spotting, especially if the birds are breeding. You should likewise avoid playing bird songs and calls off your phone or other devices, explains Matt. It can really distress birds, as it makes them believe others are nearby.
After tuning your eyes and ears in your own backyard, youll want to try your birding skills further afield. The world is your oystercatcher. But wherever you go, youll see something remarkable, whether on the balcony of a New York City hotel or deep in the Amazon. All you have to do is look around you.
www.wanderlust.co.uk
