Spring is upon us and it has been absolutely stunning from both a birding perspective and of recently, from a weather perspective. As with most of you, we have been out in the field and our yards enjoying all of the sights and sounds that come with this wonderful time of year.
With spring often comes a pile of other responsibilities in our professional and personal lives and finding the time to truly get out in the woods and take part in some heavy-duty birding can sometimes be a challenge.
That said, while getting out in the wilderness is certainly great not only for birding but also for the soul, the fact remains that there is still plenty to see and hear within city limits. With expanses of green spaces, parks and recreation areas, we never have to go too far, especially this time of year, to spot some of our favourite feathered friends of spring.
As such, here are a few tips to help you get out and find some birds right in your own neighborhood.
Learn Your Birds
This is a never-ending task for all birders. We are always trying to perfect our birding experience by identifying new species by shape, colour, size, and song. This is a great time of year to brush up on your skills or start your birding adventure. With so much activity around us, you are sure to find something you may have never spotted or heard before.
Do a bit of research before heading out and get those binoculars ready for some action!
Scope Out Habitat
Something of an extension of the above. In addition to knowing your birds as best you can, you will also want to do some research on how and where to find birds. If you are planning a trip to a specific area, try to get a handle on the landscape before you arrive. Is it primarily wooded, swamp, fields?
All of these questions will help you better identify the birds you may very well run into on your travels.
Preset Your Binos
There’s nothing worse than missing the opportunity to observe a bird while fumbling around with your optics. Upon your arrival, have a look through your ‘nocs to ensure they are properly focused on the field, woods or treetops and save yourself the aggravation and FOMO (fear of missing out.)
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