Ramandeep Nijjar explores the joy of birding ahead of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch.
Birding is regularly defined as the identification, observation and recording of birds in the wild and their natural habitat. I personally love it as you can do it wherever you go, whether it is the park, a city centre, at a train station or just outside your house as there are often birds flying everywhere. You do not need to have an extensive knowledge of ornithology to be involved in birding, you just need to be curious about wildlife.
What are some benefits of Birding?
- It can encourage you to get outdoors and this can provide benefits for your mind, body and soul.
- It may allow you to connect with friends and family as you all spend time together.
- It may provide you with a sense of calm, I have often found it reduces my stress and anxiety.
- It may provide a change of scenery and allow you to experience new places that you have not been to before.
- It can help create moments of stillness and wonder and help individuals feel more connected to the world around them.
Who can be a Birder and what do you need?
Anyone can be a birder, everyone is entitled to enjoy birds and birding, however it best suits them. You may want to watch birds from the comfort of your house through windows or more intensively in nature reserves. It is your personal choice.
Suggested Beginner Tools
- A Field Guide – Even with modern technology, I find a traditional field guide incredibly helpful. An excellent guide should contain not just photos of birds, information on birds’ natural habitat, migration patterns, diet and their calls. Field Studies Council, RSPB have good ones and second hand book shops are another option. I found mine in a charity shop and use it regularly.
- Binoculars and monoculars – to help you have better viewing of birds. There are a wide range of brands but as a beginner you do not need an elaborate brand and you can sometimes find some good preowned ones.
This guide is also very helpful: https://shopping.rspb.org.uk/page/how-to-choose-binoculars-for-bird-watching.
If you are a young person, you might also be eligible to apply for BTO’s equipment donation scheme: https://www.bto.org/develop-your-skills/birding-basics/bto-equipment-donation-scheme
- Notebook and pen/pencil – Some people like to keep a record of what birds they encounter but this is your personal preference, however you will likely experience the UK weather when birding so you might want to make it waterproof!
Recommended Apps
- Merlin Bird ID – features the best of community contributed photos, songs, and calls, tips from experts around the world to help you ID the birds you see, and range maps from Birds of the World – all powered by billions of bird observations submitted to eBird.
- Birda – a bird app and community for anyone curious about nature and birds, no matter your level of knowledge or previous bird watching experience.
- Birdtrack – makes recording your sightings easy and your bird watching more rewarding; plus your sightings support research and conservation at the local, national and global scale.
- Collins Bird Guide – provides everything you need to identify a species quickly and learn about it thoroughly. Immerse yourself in the exceptional illustrations, maps, calls and concise text.
RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
Big Garden Birdwatch is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Every year, hundreds of thousands of nature lovers like you take part, helping to build a picture of how garden birds are faring. All you have to do is spend an hour watching the birds in your patch, between 24 and 26 January, and record the birds that land.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog and we will end with one of my favourite quotes. All the best for your birding journey!
“The presence of a single bird can change everything for one who appreciates them,”
– Julie Zickefoose
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