Bird Watching and Gardening Mixed
January 29, 2008
The weather may be frightful at the moment, but spring is not too far around the bend. If you love to watch birds, why not start your own personal bird garden?
Just as certain plants and flowers attract various creatures, birds are immediately drawn to certain types of flowers as well. In fact, one of the best ways to learn what types of birds are in your area is to plant a bird garden, and watch (notebook at the ready) as feathers of all colors flock to your yard. Starting a bird garden is easy, and there is no better time to start ordering your spring garden seeds than right now.
To begin, look to the simplistic daisy. Daisies may not be the first flower you think of when it comes to creating an elaborate garden, but birds love this flower for the seeds that it contains. Daisies are nutrient rich, and birds will immediately be drawn to these flowers once they have stopped blooming. Leave the seeds for the birds to eat, and you will see many different types of birds munching happily away amidst your garden in no time.
Another bird favorite is the zinnia. Zinnias are easy to grow; they are colorful and bright; and birds can’t get enough of them. Not only will your bird friends love these beautiful flowers, but butterflies seem to fall prey to their intoxicating aroma as well. Of course, if you want to attract the ever-popular hummingbird, a flower’s scent will do little to lure this swift bird.
Hummingbirds are sort of like the bulls of the bird world, they love the color red and they will charge at anything brightly tinted. Try planting some fuschias, coral bells, bee balms, hibiscuses, and petunias in your garden in order to catch a flash of a humming bird. If you have not had very much luck with any of the aforementioned flowers, try a sunflower.
Sunflowers seem to have a larger than life power that birds cannot ignore. The sunflower stands tall and beckons to birds from miles around with its large, yellow, petals, and deep, dark, center. Chickadees love to stand on top of a sunflower and peck away at the seeds inside of it for hours on end. Sunflowers are a sure bet when it comes to watching birds in your own back yard.
For long summer days full of bird watching delight, plant a bird garden and enjoy your own personal feathery show. Once you have learned about the types of birds that hang around your own garden, you will be able to spot these species from miles away while you are away from your home – almost like having constant companions wherever you go. Bird watching can take you to exotic destinations, but some of the best birds to watch are waiting right outside of your window pane.
Rick Chapo writes for NomadJournals.com – makers of rugged and fine bird watching journals for life lists.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo
Grab Your Bird Watching Hat and Enjoy
January 29, 2008
Whenever you begin to think that you’re a “rare breed” just because you enjoy bird watching…think again. Over the years, I’ve met hundreds of amateur bird watchers who don’t have any particular claim to fame or expertise in observing our feathered friends.
Two Typical Bird Watchers
Take Ron Patterson. He’s just your average father who has been fascinated by birds for years. He grew up in rural Michigan on a farm, and he always found himself casting his eyes to the sky as he began mentally cataloging the tremendous variety of birds that passed through the area year after year. Now, 40 years later, he’s developed a passionate devotion to bird watching which includes quite a bit of reading and observations over the years.
Ron is no different than Judi Hunter. She’s just as committed to backyard birding as he is, and she taught herself everything she’s learned out of passionate adoration. Nowadays, she attracts a wide variety of birds to her yard (from hummingbirds to finches) using the techniques and tools she’s picked up over the years from countless hours of doing what she loves — watching birds.
How to Get Started
If you haven’t gotten in on the bird watching kick yet then there’s no time like the present to get started. Most amateur birders will tell you that the easiest way to get started is to set up a naturally inviting habitat in your backyard. It’s really not that hard to do if you follow these few steps.
First of all, create plenty of high vegetation. Long trees, rather than wide one, offer the best opportunity to see the birds that visit your yard. Consult your local nursery for suggestions. They should be able to steer you in the right direction. Then, place a few good feeders around the yard.
Feeders should be placed somewhere convenient and easily accessible for both the birds and for bird watching. You should look for the widest feeder for your visiting birds so that they feel less hemmed in.
Then, just sit back and enjoy. Plan a trip to your local library or bookstore so that you can begin identifying and learning more about the birds that visit you. Pretty soon, you’ll be among the “rare breed” of people who can’t get enough of these aviary wonders. And that’s pretty good company if you ask me.
John Davis has a free course on bird watching at BirdWatchingDirect.com
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The Bird Watchers’ Ethical Code
January 29, 2008
If you’re not a professional bird watcher or tour guide then there are a few things that you need to know before venturing out to start your new hobby. Believe it or not, you can’t just do what you like, where you like and there is a strict code of ethics, even for amateur bird watchers.
Right to Roam
In Britain nowadays, it would seem that the rights of many landowners have been eroded and that ramblers can go wherever they please. However, this isn’t always the case and it is, in any case, a common courtesy to seek the approval of the owner before you go trampling all over this property. If the landowner requests that you do not go through certain areas, then do observe his wishes and likewise if he asks that you keep to the edge of fields, etc. then do so. If, while bird watching on private property, your target bird moves off into forbidden territory, you’ll just have to let him go. Don’t think that because you’ve seen a rare bird, the landowners wishes can be ignored.
In addition, just treat the landowner’s property as you would wish your own to be treated; don’t drop litter, don’t be noisy and Use your common sense to guide you when bird watching on private property: don’t litter, don’t make any noise and don’t do any damage.
Care for the Environment
When you pack your rucksack to go out bird watching, be sure to include a plastic bag or two so that you can bring your rubbish home with you. Never, never drop litter out in the countryside (or anywhere else for that matter) irrespective of whether others have done so before you; you don’t have to follow their bad example.
Care for the Birds
Never do anything which can have an adverse effect on the birds themselves. They didn’t ask for you to be watching them and they have the right to carry on their lives undisturbed, so always check with yourself whether anything you’re doing could be upsetting the birds.
Photographing Birds
Don’t get too close to the birds when you’re photographing them, particularly if you’re using a flash as this could be very frightening for the birds and may interrupt their normal routines. Use a camera with a zoom lens with a decent magnification and if it’s very large, you’ll need a tripod too to prevent camera shake.
Parking Your Car
When you go bird watching, remember that you may be gone for some time so be thoughtful about where you park your vehicle. Never block gates or paths or indeed, any form of entrance.
Your Mobile Phone
It’s essential to take your mobile with you, in case of accidents or incidents while out bird watching. In addition, the owner of the land you’re using may need to get hold of you but do make sure that the ‘phone is set to silent mode with the vibrate feature on.
All the above just involve using a bit of common sense and consideration for others as well as for the birds, so remember this ethical code and enjoy your bird watching.
Liz Canham is webmistress of Worldwide Bird Watching.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Liz_Canham
Best Times for Bird Watching
January 29, 2008
One you have the birding bug, you will want to maximize your experience when it comes to sightings. Put another way, you will need to know the best times for bird watching.
There is something to be said for the chase being most of the fun in life. If you have caught the bird watching bug, the chase is definitely going to be part of your task in gaining new entries for your life list. Simply put, there are good, okay and great times to seek out sightings. Understand these times and you will be on your way to some excellent sightings.
A common mistake when birding is to assign human emotions and behavior to the birds you are viewing. Birds may appear to react as such, but they are not following typical human behavior. Instead, they appear to be primarily reacting to stimulus. This means it is foolhardy to assume they will follow the same schedule as we do. Yes, there are some similarities, but not too many.
The old cliché is the early bird gets the worm. As with most clichés, there is something to this one. Most species of birds tend to be active early in the morning, much as humans are unless I haven’t had my coffee yet. No, birds don’t drink coffee, but many species definitely have a hankering for breakfast. Plan on heading out early if you want to sight a particular species in an active phase.
Ironically, one of the poorer times to pursue bird watching is in the middle of the day. Although birds are in view, this tends to be an inactive time for many species. A better time to catch them is in the late afternoon when activity picks up before the onset of evening.
Undoubtedly, you are thinking of a variety of species that do not fit within this general guideline and you are correct to do so. The simple fact is every type of bird has different patterns of activity. The obvious examples are owls, which certainly are not going to be of much interest during the day given the fact most species are sleeping. The lesson, therefore, is to take a close look at the particular species you are interested in and then tailor your viewing habits to its schedule.
The best times for bird watching can generally be said to be the early morning and late afternoon. To avoid the occasional disappointment, make sure to research the specific tendencies of any particular bird you wish to observe.
Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of bird watching journals. Visit us to read more articles about bird watching.
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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
