"Not humans, but birds often experience the most beautiful mornings in the world!" ~Mehmet Murat Ildan
In the northern hemisphere, April is the perfect time of year to go on birding walks. The newly returned birds will be energetic, and full of song as they build nests, lay eggs, and raise broods. Early morning is ideal for bird watching and nature study, preferably a walk through the woods, or along field edges near thickets. Varied bird activity is commonly found near water sources like rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, creeks and the seashore.
Adding a water feature to your property, especially a running water fountain will attract numerous birds. See my post on Landscaping for Wildlife for additional ideas.
For the best birding educational experience, it is important to go in a small group and keep it as quiet as possible. Successful bird observation requires attentive listening. It is best to have a leader who signals the group with hand gestures to direct others toward bird activity. Walk with the sun to your back for a clearer view and avoid sudden or hurried movements to help you spot a bird before it detects your presence.
The teacher or leader should prepare ahead of time by learning about the area and what types of birds may be expected on the walk. Students should bring along a small journaling notebook, a pencil, binoculars, and identification helps such as a local field guide for recording observations. Peterson and Kaufman field guides are popular and can be purchased according to region.
Living in the Mid-Atlantic region, my personal favorite field guide is by Stan Tekiela, Birds of Maryland & Delaware includes Washington D.C & Chesapeake Bay. It is by far the most efficient local guide that I've used. The pages contain stunning full color images, English and Latin names, and a full description of each bird arranged in color groups which helps with quick identification. There is a checklist in the back and my copy has a nice sturdy cover with a Velcro closure and two CDs. People of all ages enjoy identifying and keeping a record of the birds they encounter.
"While they are a pleasure to listen to, birds sing as a means of communicating with other birds and the world around them." ~Stan Tekiela
When seeking to identify a bird, follow these simple observation tips:
- Overall size from bill to tail
- The bill's shape
- Body shape and posture
- Behavior
- Habitat
- Field marks
- Songs and calls
Is the bird in a flock or solitary?
Does the bird hop or jump while on the ground?
Is the bird's tail long or short?
Is the body full or slender?
Does the bird perch horizontally, or upright with the tail down?
When swimming, does the bird dive underneath, or stay on the surface?
Does it bob its head back and forth while swimming?
