Are you looking for an activity that is fun for the entire family and doesn’t require an arm and a leg to start? How about looking out your window into your yard? Take a look out there and chances are you will see a bird or two. What kind of birds are they? Don’t know? Want to find out? Congratulations, you are officially a birdwatcher!
One Of The Most Popular Hobbies
You’re in good company. Birdwatching is one of the most popular outdoor activities. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which tracks wildlife recreation, birdwatching is now a hobby of some 47.8 million Americans. And its not hard to see why. Birding is a hobby that is easy and inexpensive to begin and it doesn’t require much equipment or training. Everyone in the family can participate. It is also a great way to get outside. You can bird watch just about anywhere but one of the best places is right in your own backyard.
Minimal Equipment Required
All you really need to begin watching birds is your eyes, but binoculars certainly do help! You will need to get some basic binoculars in order to be able to see the birds in your yard. There are lots of choices but for getting started you can use just about any pair of binoculars, but 7×35’s or 8×42’s are two popular sizes. If you don’t have a pair of binoculars or are ready to get some better binoculars, check out the Birdwatching Binoculars Section of our site. In addition to binoculars you will want a book to help you identify what you see and a notepad to record your “finds”. Here are a couple of suggested books to get you started:
Sibley’s Birding Basics
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guides(R))
The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens
Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides® for Young Naturalists)
There are many more excellent birdwatching books. Check out our extensive selection in our store under Birdwatching Books.
Start Your Journey Today
Birdwatching is a lifelong activity that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can see an incredible number of birds right in your own backyard, or the local park. All it takes is a little bit of curiosity, some binoculars, and a note book, and you are on your way to a lifetime of enjoyment!
