Essential Gear for Birdwatching for Beginners

1. Binoculars

The amount of enjoyment you get out of birdwatching is directly related to how well you can see the birds. Therefore, binoculars are an essential tool for bird watching for beginners. However, with so many models on the market, it can be daunting to know where to start. As a result, making choices about magnification, objective lens diameter, waterproofing, fog-proofing, size, and weight can seem confusing, especially when each decision affects the price. For beginners, 8x42 binoculars are a good choice because they are bright and have a wide field of view, making it easier to find birds and follow them in flight. There are many options available, but the Vortex Crossfire HD 8x42 and the Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 are two models in the $150-$300 range that are frequently highly rated for clarity, brightness, and colour, making them a good choice that will continue to meet your needs as your skills and interest grow.

2. Field Guide

The second part of bird watching is learning to identify what you see. Around 450 bird species breed in Canada, and more than 200 others are occasional visitors. For this reason, a compact, easy-to-read field guide is a valuable tool for developing your identification skills .They come in different forms, from region-specific posters showing common backyard birds you'll see at your bird feeder, to folding laminate guides for different groups of birds, to books which typically include a photo or drawing of every species that can be observed in a given area, together with a short written description and a range map. A modern birder may not always carry their field guide around with them, but many do. Furthermore, as a tool it will always be invaluable for learning to recognize the broad characteristics of different families of birds, comparing similar species, reviewing and memorizing and of course identifying new species. There are many great options available, but two of my favourite printed field guides are The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America and The Sibley Field Guide to the Birds of Western Northern America by David Allen Sibley which are available online or at many local independent bookstores.

3. Bird Identification App

Feeling a little daunted by the diversity of birds in Canada? No problem! There are a number of different apps that you can download for free which are ideal for birdwatching for beginners. The easiest app to use if you're a beginner bird watcher is the Merlin Bird ID App by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. You answer three simple questions about the bird you wish to ID: How big is it? What are its main colours? Where was it? Then you are presented with a series of photos of common species in your area that match the description. You can also make identifications by recording a bird song you hear, or on a photo. In addition, another great option for beginners is the free Audubon Bird Guide App. Birds can be viewed like in a traditional field guide, or you can use the app as a tool for making identifications. Under the circumstances, you may by wondering why you need a birding app if you already have a field guide. Apps not only help you identify birds, but they can also help you keep track of which species you've seen and where, connect you to other bird watchers in your area, help you find good places to see birds, and allow you to share your observations, making you a Citizen Scientist who helps conserve Canada's birds and other wildlife.