All About Twitching When Bird Watching
January 29, 2008
The art of “twitching” may seem like an odd pursuit, but if you are a bird watcher twitching is actually a fun activity. Bird watching is becoming quite a popular activity, and twitching is now at the heart of every bird enthusiast — amateur and expert alike.
Although, technically, the term “twitching” hails from British bird watchers, younger American bird watchers are starting to pick up the term as well. The object behind twitching is to mark as many birds in your journal as possible. A person that has numerous species on their “twitch list” is likely to be known in bird watching circles as something of a bird guru. In fact, some bird watchers have taken it upon themselves to create twitching competitions, in which the person with the most birds on their list gains a certain famed notoriety.
Twitching is more popular throughout Europe than it is within North America due to easy flight schedules and quicker travel routes, but this popular pastime is really becoming a reason to travel within North America as well. Twitchers tend to travel in packs, since they are all after the same rare species, and some popular spots tend to become quite crowded with twitchers during optimal bird watching months.
Though twitching may seem slightly humorous to those outside of the bird watching world, this sport is actually quite a serious thing. So serious, in fact, that some twitchers within the United Kingdom have developed an entirely vocabulary based upon twitching. “Twitcher’s vocabulary” is surprisingly well organized and thought out, but it is also entirely confusing to those not accustomed to it. If you plan on attending a twitching competition, you may want to brush up a bit on your twitching terminology.
There are a few popular twitching competitions that happen throughout the year, but be prepared as some of these events take quite a bit of time and money. Hundreds of twitchers show up for events such as “Big Day” (where teams must sit for 24 hours in order to list as many species as possible); “Big Year” (you guessed it - individuals must track and record birds for one year); and “Bit Sit” (participants are expected to view birds from a 15 foot circle).
Attending your first twitching event can be both thrilling and exhausting, but make sure that you have a proper journal in hand along with a large cup of coffee - some of these gatherings can last well into the evening hours. Twitchers often come largely prepared as well, so grab your best binoculars; your hiking shoes; and some warm clothes - the birds await your arrival!
Rick Chapo writes for NomadJournals.com - makers of rugged and fine bird watching journals for life lists.
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Eight Reasons Why Bird Watching Is So Popular
January 29, 2008
On any given day, millions of people across the country are watching birds. They are watching via bird watching clubs that they are members of. They join bird watching tours not only in their own city, but in cities and sometimes countries far away. Those really into it, plan holidays and family trips around the migration path of their favorite bird species. For these people, bird watching is addictive. Once you start, and discover the joys in it, you’re hooked.
So what’s the draw? Why are people doing this? For one thing, it’s inexpensive. All you really need to begin your bird watching hobby is a pair of good binoculars. Then maybe in a month or two, you’ll invest in a quality camera to capture for all time the birds you’ve seen.
Secondly, bird watching is a great excuse to spend time outdoors. Too many of us spend the year either closeted inside our homes or in a job cubicle. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to breath fresh air and commune with nature. We’ve forgotten that we’re not the only creatures blessed to live on this planet. We’ve forgotten that it’s natural to be outdoors.
Third - bird watching can be very convenient. What’s more convenient than watching birds in your very own back yard? You can go down to your local garden center, purchase a bird house and some feed, and have a bird sanctuary in your back yard in one afternoon. If you’ve done your homework correctly, your newfound bird friends will love you. If you’re industrious enough and handy with a hammer and saw, you can even build a custom bird house.
Fourth - it provides you with your own private animal reality show. You’ll quickly find yourself involved in the bird family pecking order. Who’s dominant? Who’s selfish? Who’s nurturing? Who’s a bully? You’ll start to recognize distinct personalities. And those among us with slight psychological problems will start to name them.
Fifth - bird watching is a relaxing activity. No matter how stressed out your day has been, once you sit down with your binoculars and aim it towards your bird friends, you’ll notice a sense of calm and tranquility coming over you. It’s inevitable and can’t be stopped. It’s impossible not to feel your blood pressure dropping and the stresses and worries fleeing from your mind.
Sixth - you’ll be helping nature by helping the species to survive. In many parts of the country, the natural habitats of the native creatures, including birds, have been destroyed. In modern society, new industrial or housing development trumps nature every time. With your bird watching hobby, you can help restore some of the habitat balance by providing nesting places, shelter from predators, and food for the birds that you enjoy.
Seventh - bird watching is a great social activity. Finding people who love the same thing as you do and spending time with them allows you to re-connect with your humanity. Instead of spending hours in front of the television, you can form friendship bonds that will stay with you the rest of your life.
Eight - It’s great exercise. Hardly a day goes by without us hearing some newscaster talking about the obesity epidemic and how we Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the day. We all know that we should exercise more, but very few of us actually do it. Bird watching is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time. Following and tracking birds through forest settings will give you plenty of exercise and help to keep you in good health.
For all these reasons, and more, bird watching is an activity that becomes more popular each year. In truth, it surprisingly has become one of America’s most popular pastimes.
Ken Lawless writes articles on bird houses - where to buy them and how to build them.
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The Best in Bird Watching Binoculars
January 29, 2008
Trying to read and interpret all of the jargon about various bird watching binoculars can be a little difficult if you are new to it. You will probably find that all of the manufacturers think their product is the best, and that nothing else is worth looking at. If you are like most consumers, you want a place to go where you can find an honest opinion and some accurate information. If you do not live in an area where you can just walk into a specialty optics store and ask, do not worry, there are some resources available.
There are several such guides available to those who are in market for bird watching binoculars. Bird Watchers Digest publishes a review of the latest models and improvements every year. Additionally, a number of Web sites publish product reviews on a regular basis. Some sites even have entire sections devoted specifically to binocular reviews and evaluation. Check out www.birdwatching.com/optics.html for one good example of Web based product reviews. Experienced birders offer their honest opinions about the products that they use on a regular basis and what they did and did not like about each one.
When researching bird watching binoculars, keep in mind several things that may affect which style will work best for you. If you wear glasses, then some binoculars may not work well for you. Do you wish to use the binoculars to focus on small things that may be relatively close? There are models like the Pentax Papillo, which will work very well when trying to zoom in on things like butterflies. When considering any binocular, a bird watcher needs to give careful thought to how much magnification power they need. While many are under the impression that they need the most powerful binocular available to enjoy watching birds, often times the most powerful optical tools can be very difficult to keep focused and to hold steady enough to get a clear image.
Some people in the market for bird watching binoculars pay no attention to price and do not consider cost to be of any importance. For most people, cost does play a large role in their decision. Do not get frustrated if at first all you see are slick catalogue pages full of extravagantly prices binoculars. You can, and will, find equipment from many reliable well-known manufacturers that is well made and quite affordable for the average bird watcher.
To ensure that you are pleased with your purchase, make sure that you do the research. As shown here, there are plenty of resources available outside of actually walking into a store. Bird watching binoculars will be your primary piece of equipment as you begin your bird watching hobby.
Mike Selvon owns a number of niche portal. Please visit our bird feeder portal for more great tips on bird watching binoculars.
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Costa Rica Bird Watching Vacation
January 29, 2008
Costa Rica has long been famous among serious bird watchers, but many people who would never consider the activity at home quickly have become interested in the country’s spectacular avian diversity.
With almost 850 species of birds -more than total of what North America has- packed into an area half the size of Kentucky, it’s hard not to become enthused about the variety of feathered creatures one encounters in Costa Rica. And we can provide us experienced nature guides who make any costa rica bird watching vacation an educational experience.
One of the reasons for Costa Rica’s extraordinary bird life is the country’s great variety of habitats: rain forests, mangrove swamps, beaches, cloud forest, rivers, etc. And any two of those ecosystems, with their resident bird species, are often only a short distance apart.
Birders from North America who enjoy their Costa Rica bird watching vacation during the northern winter invariably recognize familiar faces in the forest, since many species of warblers, flycatchers, vireos, orioles, etc. migrate to Costa Rica every winter.
The country’s exemplary System of National Parks and Protected Areas provide more than ample stomping grounds for birders, but just about anywhere you look in Costa Rica, you spot interesting avian species. Even some of the hotels in the San Jose area have such colorful critters as blue-grey tanagers, great kiskadees and crimson-fronted parakeets in their gardens.
However, those interested in bird watching will want to see the resplendent quetzal, which lives in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Los Santos region and the Central Volcanic Mountain Range, and the equally spectacular scarlet macaw, which can be seen on the Osa Peninsula or the area around the Carara Biological Reserve.
Cano negro wild life refuge is other destination for your Costa Rica bird watching vacation. Cano Negro is a sweet water lagoon, not to deep, with an extension of 800 hectares. The lagoon and the nearby areas, are some of most important and vital biological areas that support environment quality in the north side of the country. The Cano Negro refuge is an important source of food to migratory birds from the north. There are also several species of plants and animals not found anywhere else in the country, birds and fishes for the human consume.
About The Author
Find amazing Costa Rica birdwatching packages in http://www.mytraveltocostarica.com
whart@hotmail.com
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Bird Watching Life Lists - Keeping A Record
January 29, 2008
If you’re a birder, you want to keep a list of sightings when you bird watch. Your life lists should be kept in a bird watching journal.
Life List
A life list is a record of the species of birds you’ve sighted over time. Typically, the list is kept in a journal. Each entry notes the bird species, the date, location and any notes you want to add. Depending on your particular bird watching exploits, you can keep one global list or separate lists as you see fit.
For many bird watchers, one life list simply isn’t enough. So, how can you break down your lists? Here are a few ideas:
1. House Lists – A list of birds sighted around your home.
2. Yearly Lists – A list for each year you bird watch.
3. State Lists – A list for sighting by particular state.
4. Trip Lists – Journals for particular bird watching vacations or tours.
5. Wish Lists – A list of birds you haven’t seen, but hope to. You simply cross them off as sightings occur.
Computer Life Lists
You can purchase computer life list programs or use online variations. Each program is different, but most come in a checklist format. You enter information and the program spits out your list.
The problem with using computer programs is…well, the computer aspect. Unless you are willing to lug a laptop around with you, there is going to be a delay between sightings and your journal entries. Using a computer program is also troublesome if you want to keep a collection of sketches of particular species you’ve identified. For most birders, a computer list is a supplement to a good journal, not a replacement.
Bird watching is an extremely personal passion. If you’re just starting, you may think you don’t need to keep a life list. The problem with this approach, of course, is you will regret the decision if you later decide to do so. All those sightings will be gone with time…
If you’re going to start bird watching, make sure you keep a life list journal from the outset. As I like to say, “Preserve the experience!”
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.
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The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival in Utah
January 29, 2008
Coming up on its eighth year, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is good get away for birders. Of course, a chance to visit Salt Lake City isn’t so bad either.
Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival
The Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is both a mouthful and a great event. Close to Salt Lake City, but actually centered in Farmington, Utah, the festival is put on by the Davis County Tourism agency and typically runs for five days in the last two weeks of May each year.
As with many birding festivals, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival offers workshops for kids and adults. Workshops include everything from building bird houses, birding for kids, and lectures on a variety of bird species with physical birds present.
Of course, field trips are the key to any bird watching festival and Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival doesn’t disappoint. Traditional sighting trips can be taken on land. The added bonus, however, is the fact birders can rent kayaks to float about the lake looking for new life birds.
Common Sightings
While each year will present variations, a birder can expect to see a variety of bird species at the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival. A variety of Heron, Pelican, Grebe and Cormorant species are plentiful. White-faced Ibis and Snowy Egrets are also often seen as are a variety of geese and ducks. A variety of falcons and hawks are surprisingly plentiful, but there is one prize sure to make it on you life list.
The rare American Bald Eagle lives in the area. Due to low population numbers, there is no guarantee you’ll see one, but at least four sightings occurred at the 2004 festival.
Whether you attend for the chance to see a bald eagle or the chance to meet other enthusiasts, the Great Salt Lake Bird Watching Festival is a good time.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
Benefits of Bird Watching - A Hobby For Everyone
January 29, 2008
Bird watching is becoming ever more popular across the globe. In both Europe and the USA there are many hundreds of groups that have been created for bird watchers. Whilst some of these groups are smaller meetings of like-minded people, others are extremely large and well organized.
Bird watching is not only a simple and effective stress-reliever it is also intellectually stimulating. There are so many different kinds of bird that the bird watcher has the opportunity to have a new experience each and every time he/she takes time out to go bird watching.
Some of the most beautiful creatures on the planet are to be found close to your home. The graceful nature of birds makes bird watching one of the most rewarding hobbies you can choose. Furthermore, bird watching can be combined with taking exercise and experiencing the beauty of the countryside.
If you are looking for a hobby that the whole family can participate in then bird watching must surely be on your list. Birds pose no threat to children and getting your kids involved can turn your next holiday into an experience that builds ever-stronger bonds within your family unit.
If you feel passionate about our world and the environment, then bird watching can be an effective way to combine a fascinating hobby with action to preserve our planet. By spending some time learning about the patterns of behavior and migration of different types of birds, bird watchers are able to make a significant contribution to the body of knowledge that helps wild life organizations protect and preserve the natural environment.
Discover More On The Benefits Of Bird Watching
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Bird Watching - Writing What You See
January 29, 2008
No bird watcher is complete without his or her bird watching journals. When you go bird watching, you need to keep your life list.
The Life List
If you are or become an avid bird watching enthusiast, you’re going to need to keep records. The reason for this is you want to keep a running list of the various bird species you’ve seen. Since there are a zillion species, the list can become quite long. Frankly, it becomes a life long project that is very enjoyable. Trust me, you’ll start planning vacations and trips around it. A business trip will soon evolve into a chance to see new species.
Part and parcel to your bird watching life list is your journal. Some bird watchers combine these two while others keep them separate. The bird watching journal is used to fill out your sightings. Information kept in the journal includes things like where you were, whom you were with, the weather conditions, the lighting, time of day and your overall impressions from the sighting.
When keeping your journal and lists, you are going to have sightings of species you’ve seen previously. Most bird watchers will add such sightings to their journals, but not their life lists. The reason for this is there may be peculiar or significant factors in the sighting. Perhaps the bird is not typically found in the area in question or perhaps it is exhibiting some unique characteristic.
New Sightings
When it comes to bird watching, there is no greater joy then sighting a bird you have never seen before. Often called “life birds”, the sighting can be added to your life list and is a feather in your cap. When you first start watching birds, you’ll obviously have a lot of new sighting. As time passes, however, they will become less frequent and you will come to enjoy and value them even more.
Bird watching is an addictive hobby. Part of the thrill is watching your life list grow and reading through your journal of sightings.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com makers of diary and writing journals for bird watching. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles on bird watching and the great outdoors.
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Bird Watching Vacation - Make Costa Rica Your Next Destination
January 29, 2008
Costa Rica is attracting more and more bird watchers to it’s beautiful and delightful landscapes because of it’s diverse array of bird species that make this area home during different times of the year. There are well over eight hundred species in this small country, which makes it more abundant than that of the United States and Canada combined. Many people wouldn’t even consider bird watching anywhere else. It is for this reason, among many others, that you may want to make Costa Rica your next stop for a bird watching vacation.
Even though it is a very small country, enjoying a bird watching vacation in Costa Rica offers many benefits. Each year sees a greater number of tourists head there to bird watch and to learn more details about the different species of birds. The clay-colored robin is Costa Rica’s national bird. As a bird watching vacation destination, it is perfect.
Bird Watching Paradise
There are many reasons that have blessed Costa Rica with being a bird watching paradise. One of those reasons is that there is a great diversity of habitats for the birds to live in. The Pacific Ocean on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other side offer habit for many sea and migratory birds. The rain and cloud forest habitats offer many different species homes. And, the many areas around lakes and rivers offer even more habitat for other species, too. Another reason that this little jewel of a country is a bird watching paradise is that the various habitats are very close together.
Also, over a quarter of Costa Rica is designated as protected forests, reserves and parkland which are excellent for bird watching so wherever one is in Costa Rica, the varied species of birds available to view will make this an ideal location for a bird watching vacation.
Migratory Birds
The winter months are very popular for North Americans to visit Costa Rica. During this time they can see familiar birds because many migrating birds from North America make this home at this time of year. Some of those species are hummingbirds, swallows, teals and sandpipers.
Even in the towns and cities the quantity of bird species that one can see is incredible. You may see a macaw, blue-crowned motmot or a buff-throated saltator in the trees and gardens in and around the hotels and homes of each of the towns and cities that you visit, in addition to many other birds that make their homes in them, too.
However, for the bird watching vacation to be the best that it can be a trip to Tortuguero National Park is in order. This is a National Park within the Tortuguero Conservation Area. It has over 370 species of birds including kingfishers, toucans, blue herons, peacocks, and parrots, as well as more than 400 species of trees and approximately 2,200 species of plants for one to see. In spite of the fact that the only be way to reach it is by airplane or boat, it’s the third-most visited park in Costa Rica.
Interested in learning more about birds and birdwatching? Visit http://www.about-birds.info/ an instructive website that provides birdwatcher advice, tips and resources including information on birdwatching binoculars, clothing, tours and equipment for beginners to experienced birdwatchers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Murray
Bird Watching Gifts For The Bird Watching Enthusiast
January 29, 2008
Bird watching has become a very popular hobby because it’s not only interesting and fun, but because it is an educational experience that the entire family can participate in, too. If a friend or family member you know likes this hobby, then the list below will help you find the perfect bird watching gifts for them when you are looking.
Bird Watching Gear
Because bird watching can be done throughout the year, there are pieces of gear that would help guard you from the sunshine in the summer and the cold in the winter. One particular piece of bird watching gear would be a hat or cap to guard your head. Long pants with lots of pockets, such as cargo pants, so that bird watchers would have places to put their hobby’s various items would be another great piece of gear that is important.
Bird Watching Binoculars
The majority of bird watchers usually own a pair of binoculars. However, with the variety of binoculars that are available there is certain to be an upgraded version that the bird watcher would love to have. If the upgraded type of binoculars are too expensive, as they certainly can be, you may consider purchasing them a new case to protect their present pair of binoculars or a new strap to keep their binoculars more comfortably close to them rather than bouncing around when out walking.
A bird watching journal is another one of those great bird watching gifts. It is where a bird watcher can record information about the types and numbers of birds that they saw. A bird watching book or guide is also a wonderful bird watching gift. Every bird watcher loves to get a good guide that shows the pictures and lists the characteristics of the many different birds.
Digital cameras and video cameras are great bird watching gifts. With the various models that are available, you are sure to find one that will be suitable for your bird watching friend. Bird baths and bird feeders are other bird watching gifts that you may want to consider if they don’t have these already.
Bird Watching Vacation
If the person that you are buying the bird watching gifts for is someone special to you, such as a spouse or family member, you may consider a bird watching vacation to an exotic location like Costa Rica or to watch Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans on Vancouver Island in British Columbia.
To make the bird watching gifts seem even more special, especially if it is an expensive item, you will want to make sure that the person does not already possess one of the items already.
All ages of people find that bird watching is not only relaxing but it is also entertaining. If you haven’t tried it yet yourself, go into your backyard or a nearby park and just watch the birds for a few minutes. You’ll probably find that this is a fun and addictive hobby and the next bird watching gifts that you buy might just be for you personally!
For more bird watching tips and a free subscription to my bird watching newsletter, just go to http://www.greatbirdwatchingtoday.com an instructive website that provides birdwatcher advice, tips and resources including information on birdwatching binoculars, clothing, tours and equipment.
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