The answers to all your bird watching questions begin here….

Do you know what birding is?

We’re all at least acquainted with the idea of people wandering into the wilderness with binoculars, determined and focused, hoping to catch glimpses of some rare species. Our own experiences—or lack thereof—of bird watching have shaped the images that come to mind when we hear of this activity. Maybe you know people go bird watching, but you don’t see it as big enough of an activity to have a verb associated with it.

But what is it? What encompasses “birding” or “bird watching?” Is it something people just do, or is it more than that? What does it require to participate? What counts? 

And if I were to go, how would I bird? 

I know I’ve asked myself that question.

Bird watching may have the stigma as being distant, or something “other people” do. You may have always thought of it as something that requires lots of gear and knowledge as prerequisites. Perhaps you think it’s something intense or inaccessible.

These are all things birding is not, or at least, doesn’t have to be. 

Although bird watching can look like this (lots of gear, years of expertise), this is not all encompassing. The activity of birding is so much simpler than that. 

To sum up my point, I could simply leave you with a definition: 

Bird ( / ’bərd / ) verb. to observe or identify wild birds in their habitats 

This alone shows there doesn’t need to be a whole lot to it. To bird, you just need to be able to observe, and there needs to be birds. The rest is all details that you get to make your own. 

But I want to show you. I want to share with you what birding is by taking you through all it can be and all it doesn’t have to be. To do this, I’ve begun this series. It will dive into all things “what is birding”. Through it, you’ll learn who birds, why bird, when to bird, where to bird, and how to bird.  

By the end, I hope you see bird watching in a new way. I hope you view the activity as accessible and potentially enjoyable. And most of all, I hope you’re ready to step outside and interact with–personal opinion here–nature’s most wonderful wildlife!