What you should know before your first bird watching attempt….

I was not prepared for my first time birding. 

I didn’t even have binoculars. All I had with me were my camera and my friend. And we headed to my favorite park because at the very least, I wanted to be able to walk the trail if it turned out to be a total bird watching bust. 

Birds had always been wonderfully omnipresent in my life. From singing each morning of my childhood in suburban Raleigh, to screeching outside my hotel room in rural Costa Rica, they were everywhere. And I admired them for it.

But bird knowledge? I had none. I couldn’t confidently name a bird by sight unless it was a Mallard or a Cardinal, and even then, with all the species lookalikes, was I even so sure?  

Upon stepping out of the car with my friend and looking up at the treetops—hearing a cacophony of songs but initially spotting nothing with my bare eyes—I felt unequipped. How could I say I was a bird watcher? How could I claim that identity?   

But I did have an interest. And maybe that was enough. 

Birding can be a relaxing and wonderful experience for anyone. Unfortunately, for many, there’s a notion associated with birding that in order to participate, you must complete a long list of prerequisites. Nature appreciators may draw away from the activity out of feeling disqualified, unprepared, or even out of not wanting to be a part of something that seems exclusive.

The start of my outing may seem to justify some of these concerns, but the rest of the day proved otherwise. After experiencing just how accessible and truly effortless birding can be, I’m confident that it can be wonderful for anyone too.

Each of us are qualified, and each of us are welcome to bird.   

If “I enjoy nature” is even remotely relatable, this is for you. You won’t need to walk into a pricey outdoor recreation store or dedicate hours of your free time buried in bird identification guides to prepare yourself. From one bird appreciator to another, I’m going to walk you through the insight I gained in just a few short hours that could shatter what comes to mind when you think of “birder”.

It begins with getting to the truth on four common myths about birding that make lots of nature lovers hesitant….   

Myth 1: You need binoculars.

Although binoculars are a great tool for magnifying your sight, allowing you to spot faraway birds in treetops, they are NOT a necessity.

If a lack of access to binoculars is what’s holding you back from considering birding, remember that there’s plenty to be enjoyed by simply switching on your awareness for the presence of birds and seeing if you can spot them.  

If you want to try to get a closer look, try using your cell phone to capture a photo or video of a bird and zoom in from there to get some slight magnification. But my recommendation is to just go without aid when you first begin birding. You’ll be amazed by the many ways there are to bird without binoculars. 

Myth 2: You must be able to identify birds.

You can still enjoy bird watching even if you have no idea what species you’re spotting. Instead, take the time to marvel at what you notice (the colors, the songs, the behaviors).  

And then, if your interest is piqued, there are plenty of resources that can aide you in identification so you don’t have to be an expert, including Merlin Bird ID and BirdNET.

Myth 3: You have to go far out to see birds.

Although you can venture deep into the woods to go birding, there are many ways to bird in urban areas or even from the comfort of your home.

Consider myriads of accessible locations, like the lake at a park near your house, or outside your work on your lunch break, or out the window in your kitchen. If you want to try a location other bird watchers have been to, consider one of our sites near you. 

The options are endless. If you see birds there, you can bird there. 

Myth 4: You are not a birder by simply “watching birds”.

There are only two absolutely essential elements for bird watching: 1) birds 2) watchers.

“Birds” means anything from songbirds in treetops to gulls at the beach to waterfowl in a lake cove. Even “watcher” is a flexible element because it goes beyond the eyes to include the ears. 

The purpose of birdwatching is to observe birds, to enjoy their company, to watch in wonder. With these simple qualifications, it’s clear that truly anyone can bird, and by definition, be a birder.   

So…what now?

With these myths shattered, hopefully it’s clear you have nothing stopping you from going birding today. But what about the big “how?”. How do you start?   

• Pick a comfortable location and comfortable time, and go with as much or as little on you as you choose. Bring whatever sparks your interest (a camera, a notebook, some company) if you choose to.

• Find yourself in a place where you can observe, and begin with what you hear. Do you hear songs? Are there several, or just one? Are they familiar? How many can you distinguish, and where might they be originating?

• If you’re walking or on a trail, head forward, looking and listening.

• In some time, you’ll see a bird. Watch it, take a photo of it, or notice what it’s doing. Simply observe it. As long as you’re respecting it and not disturbing it, there’s no wrong way to bird.    

This is where it begins. Once you start seeing birds, the activity becomes your own. I like to take videos of them and see if I can find their species on Merlin Bird ID. My friend likes to point out little birds in treetops and strike up conversations with people carrying binoculars. You’ll quickly see the many ways you can appreciate and enjoy the presence of birds.   

My first time birding, I wasn’t prepared because I didn’t need to be. I simply became immersed in the wonder.  I was talking to other birders and grabbing videos of a rustling Bald Eagles’ nest and continuing on the trail in search of a recently pointed out Great Blue Heron couple.

Suddenly I was birding. Yet I had nothing but my hobby of videography and my fascination with birds. The park I’d been going to since my childhood was suddenly glowing with community I had never known of. And I was a part of it.   

So are you up for it? Are you itching to have this new awareness of the wonderful wildlife that live among us? We hope you have mesmerizing experiences ahead, and we want you to know that this—birding—is for everyone.

It’s for you.