Bird Watching - a Hobby with a Cause

Bird watching as a hobby has long been contested by the birders, saying that the two are not in any way the same. While birdwatchers do such as part of an activity during recreation, birders are into it with intense dedication. The Birders May it be in the UK or in the United States, birders say that what they are doing is far from just a pastime or a relaxation thing. For them, they do such to study not only the species of birds but also their patterns. They don’t base their analogies on mere observation and they invest on the latest optical equipments to strengthen their claims. Instead of going where the birdwatchers usually go, the birders are always on the lookout for new and unexplored sites, hoping to find more information. They would even allot a budget for travel, however far it will take them, just to expand their knowledge and to discern a lot more about the subject that they are most interested about, birds.

The Birdwatchers

These people go about bird watching by only observing with their eyes. They may also opt for binoculars but aren’t really focusing on the technology. They wouldn’t care if their apparels are not the latest in the market, they can even go about without those gadgets. What’s important is that they get a sense of fulfillment from what they are doing, they get to relax, see the birds and enjoy the sights.

The birdwatchers couldn’t care less where they do their stuff. They would even do it on their own backyards or just go to nature reserves nearest to them. If they happen to be on vacation, they can do it wherever they are, whenever they please to do it. These people has the love for the birds but don’t really want to take that feeling further by going the scientific route, because by doing so, they might miss out the fun that they intend to have.

Bird watching on regions that have temperate weather are most active in the spring and fall migrations. During such time, the widest array of birds could be seen as these birds relocate northbound or southbound in trying to find nesting sites. For the hobbyists and professionals, it is advisable to do the act in the early morning where the birds are looking for food. This way, observation can be done at a lengthier time and you can see them easily while they are onto their task.

This type of bird watching is for people who would go near coastal areas to find watch points like the headland to be able to see the birds flying over to the sea. The birds that can be observed from such are called the pelagic kinds. The pelagic species of birds can also be observed when one is aboard a seagoing vessel.

Proper Etiquette

Whether you’re a birder or a birdwatcher, you should always look out for the wellbeing of the birds and also have some positive notes on what you are doing. You can lead the way to promote cleanliness of the environment so that the natural habitat for this kind wouldn’t be harmed. Also, you should be vigilant about the latest technology when you use them as part of the activity, that it won’t affect the birds in a negative manner. Bird watching may just be a hobby but one that must be done with passion and concern about the birds and their welfare.

Works Cited

1. Chandler, R. (2019). Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
2. Sibley, D. A. (2009). The Sibley Guide to Birds (2nd ed.). Knopf.
3. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. (n.d.). All About Birds. Retrieved from https://www.allaboutbirds.org/
4. American Birding Association. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.aba.org/about-us/
5. British Trust for Ornithology. (n.d.). BirdTrack: Bird Recording Made Easy. Retrieved from https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/birdtrack
6. National Audubon Society. (n.d.). Birding Basics. Retrieved from https://www.audubon.org/birding/birding-basics
7. Kaufman, K. (2018). Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America (1st ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
8. Dunn, J. L., & Alderfer, J. (2011). National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America (6th ed.). National Geographic Society.
9. Peterson, R. T., & Peterson, V. M. (2008). Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America (6th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
10. Proctor, N. S., & Lynch, P. J. (2013). Manual of Ornithology: Avian Structure and Function. Yale University Press.