Birdwatching enthusiasts may catch a glimpse of the subtle colors of the female and the striking colors of the male Eastern Bluebirds. Photo by Lanny Thompson.
Category: Arkansas' Great Outdoors

Discover the ‘tweetest’ joys of birdwatching

Witnessing the incredible agility of a female rubythroated hummingbird is a true birdwatching
highlight. Photo by Kelsie Richardson.

Wildlife watching is consistently ranked as the most popular outdoors activity. This is likely because enthusiasts of other outdoor pursuits (hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, etc.) also love to see wildlife while participating in their other activities. It’s one of the main reasons to go outside!

Some of the easiest animals to watch are birds.

A recent production shoot for “Arkansas’ Great Outdoors” highlighted birds in the snow. What started with images of beautiful winter scenes changed with the surprising presence of dozens of birds who were actively feeding amid the snowy landscape. You can learn quite a bit simply by watching.

Here are some tips to enjoy our feathered friends:

  1. Find a guide. While there are books and pamphlets, it is quite handy to have a good app. There are many. “Merlin Bird ID” by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a good place to start. The price is right (free!). It not only helps identify by region, but by analyzing bird song recordings. The app helps you keep a log of the birds you see and teaches about their habits.
    Binoculars make birdwatching fun for all ages. Photo by Bigstock.
  2. Consider optics. Binoculars are a good way to zoom in and see what is going on. There are several quality products in this category; each will offer a rating with two numbers. The first number is the level of magnification. The second number is the size of the main lens given in millimeters (mm). The higher that number, the larger the lens, which means more light is being let in. This will help you see more of what is being magnified. So, a 10×50 means you are magnifying the object in view by a factor of 10 and the objective lens is 50mm in diameter. Prices can range from $20 for entry level to a couple of hundred dollars for solid intermediate options. Premium sets that can identify the birds you are watching and even take photos can cost thousands.
  3. Study up. There are plenty of online sources and YouTube offerings to shore up your knowledge to increase your enjoyment.

A little birding knowledge and observation reveals a wonderful world that will no longer just fly by.

Carlton and Leigh Wing host the “Arkansas’ Great Outdoors” weekly television series. Visit facebook.com/arkansasgreatoutdoors/.

 

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