With hundreds of noteworthy locations across the state, it’s a wonder why more people in North Carolina don’t bird.  Or do they?  We wandered downtown Raleigh asking lots of people various questions about birding. What is it? Who does it? Do you do it?  Going in with preconceived notions in mind, we were quite surprised […]

Here’s a few things you can try before hitting the recreation store It’s a valid question because it’s a common assumption, one that often creates a birding roadblock: Without binoculars I can’t watch birds. Therefore, if I don’t have binoculars, I cannot attempt bird watching or be a birder. Similarly, a novice birder or someone […]

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 […]

A guide to finding YOUR perfect birding locations The entire state—no, entire world—is at a bird appreciator’s fingertips. With roughly 10,000 species, totaling over 400 billion individuals, there’s surely no scarcity of places where birds can be spotted by enthusiasts. But how do avid birders find these birding hotspots? And how on earth do they […]

Early morning? Afternoon? Spring, Summer, Now? Whether you’re looking for the perfect time to go on your first birding adventure or you’re wondering if there’s an ultimate time-window for maximum bird sightings, “when” is a great question.  The birding experience changes based on several time factors. Depending on when you go, you’ll see completely different […]

Trying bird watching can be as easy and worthwhile as this…. Do you get the hype? Perhaps you don’t. Maybe you’ve heard in passing that bird watching is a relaxing and great way to engage with nature, but you’re still not inclined to give it a try. You might have a few drawbacks in your […]

What qualities really make someone a birder? Bird watching is an activity, but that might seem like an understatement to you. Maybe you see it as a community, one full of bird experts—or bird nerds. It’s understandable if you do. Most people haven’t had enough experience with “bird watchers” to feel able to understand or […]

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 […]

So, which is your joy? You’d probably choose your loyalty based on your number one reason for birding. Perhaps if you like collecting lifers or creating check lists or enjoying the technicality behind categorizing species, then you’d put yourself on the identification team. Whereas maybe if you’re a new birder or you find often find […]

North Carolina. An abundant state for birding. Home to over 440 bird species, and a vast community of outdoor enthusiasts, nature appreciators, and those who enjoy bird watching.  The North Carolina Birding Trail serves as a driving trail to link birders and nature-based tourists with great birding sites across the state and the local communities […]