A beginner’s guide to birding – you’re never too young or too old to start
Avid birders from all corners of SA can hardly overstate just how much the art of birding brings to their lives. Check out the Trappers guide and join in on the fun.
There are as many reasons for getting into birding as there are birders
For some, it’s about getting outdoors for an hour or two, forgetting about our busy schedules for a while and connecting with the natural world.
Honing one’s senses to notice faint sounds, to identify bird songs and calls, and to pick up on even the smallest of movements is akin to a restorative meditation.
For others it’s also about meeting up with friends and doing something everyone enjoys.
And for serious birders, it’s often about the thrill of spotting a rare species and ticking it off a “bucket list” of sorts.
Whatever the reason, one thing remains clear – birding is as popular as ever, and the act of engaging with our fascinating and exquisite avian friends soothes the soul.
Firstly, birding is all about noticing
It’s the simple attempt to focus your attention on the sights and sounds of the environment around you.
Only when your attention is on your immediate surroundings will you notice the myriad activities of life in the vicinity.
Once your ears and eyes are sensitised, you’ll be able to pick out what you’re pursuing – the observation of birdlife in its native environment.
The next stage only adds to the pleasure.
This is when the simple act of noticing and focusing turns into identifying and appreciating those characteristics which differentiate species from one another, and even the individual personalities of birds within a species.
At this point, the once general topic of birdlife becomes a wonderful world of infinite detail and absolute enthrallment.
Essential equipment
Other than your natural senses, two things are indispensable for every beginner:
- A good bird guide that can help you identify the species you spot
- A handy pair of reliable binoculars.
A few additional items you’ll want to consider include:
- Water bottles and/or flasks
- Sunscreen (always be sun smart)
- Robust footwear
Binoculars
You may be hesitant, as a beginner, to spend too much on binoculars. This is understandable, and there is an amazing assortment of binoculars out there to suit your budget.
It is important to note, however, that they are an investment and can be used for a variety of purposes.
You’ll see two numbers associated with every pair of binoculars: for example, 10×50.
The 10 refers to the magnification (10 means that objects appear 10 times closer to you than they are), and the 50 refers to the diameter – in millimetres – of the front lens (the objective lens).
When purchasing binoculars, there are a few fundamentals to consider, and it’s important to balance the pros and cons correctly.
- Magnification
This is a measure of how large distant objects will appear. A rule of thumb is to choose a magnification of between 8 and 10. Binoculars with a zoom will have a range of magnifications; but, on the main, it’s ill advised to go for zooms (they present with a good number of problems). In other words, stay with “fixed power” binoculars.
- Light
In SA, we’re blessed with a beautiful abundance of light, but some light is lost in binoculars. Make sure that you can see clear, crisp and detailed objects. Ask if the binoculars are coated: the better the coating, the less light is lost.
- Depth of field
This refers to the maximum distance between foreground and background objects that are both in focus. You’ll want as large a depth of field as possible. A larger magnification means a smaller depth of field.
- Field of view
In this context, the field of view can be regarded as the extent of the panoramic view through the binoculars at a distance of 1 000 m. As before, you’ll want the maximum field of view, and the larger the magnification, the smaller it becomes.
- Weight and comfort
Holding a heavy pair may be okay for a minute or two, but there’s a good chance that they’ll feel like dumb bells after a bit. This standard differs between each individual.
Field Guide
A good birding guide will be comprehensive and easy to use. This is to say that it should help you find the bird species you saw, or even heard, through multiple means.
Many preferred guides offer as much information on different birds as possible. Internet resources, forums and input from experienced birders can aid you in your quest for identification (called “diagnostics”).
There are also apps available that should make your life easier when trying to locate a species through sound alone – that is, they have recordings that you can listen to.
To increase your chances of a correct classification, try to take note of as many of the following as you can (write everything you see down in notebook rather than attempting to remember it later):
- Size
- Shape
- Habitat and location
- Specific field marks – these are significant characteristics appearing on the bird (for example, features known as plumage, eye line, crown, lore, crest, breast, eye ring, cheek, rump, flank, wing bar, wing lining, etc.)
- Behaviour
- Flight characteristics
- Voice and song
If you can identify the basic family, this will help immensely
Take the next step
Okay, so we’ve barely scratched the surface of the world of birding, but we hope you’ll take the next step – getting out there and enjoying the plentiful gifts of Mother Nature (with a special focus on her incredible avian creations!).
Visit your nearest Trappers and find out more about our fantastic selection of outdoor lifestyle clothing and goods. Alternatively, shop online here.
Lastly, consider joining a club recommended by BirdLife South Africa.
