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Here's your outdoor tip on Why do people watch birds?
A birder is defined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as anyone who takes a trip one mile or more from home for the main purpose of observing birds, or who has closely observed and identified birds around the house. With that definition the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates there are 48 million birders in the United States. It is calculated that birding generates $82 billion in the economy including both direct and indirect expenditures. This means 671,000 jobs and $28 billion in employment according to the same Fish and Wildlife Service report.
So birding is popular, but why do people watch birds?
Throughout history, people have been interested in watching birds. Early civilizations believed the flights and calls of birds could predict the future. Even today, it is thought that birds can be indicators of environmental conditions. There are a variety of reasons why people watch birds today:
1. Birding gets you outdoors and active improving your health
2. Social connections can be made through birding clubs
3. Many find birding to be like medication relieving stress
4. There is the thrill and competition of the hunt for a particular species
5. Birding is a good family activity
Watching birds in your backyard can be as easy as investing in a bird feeder and birdbath to attract birds. You will learn that different types of feed that bring in different birds and it can be a challenge to bring in multiple species. Going further you can landscape your yard to attract birds using online resources to develop a habitat with flowers and plants that will attract various birds.
It’s easy to start a hobby of bird watching. Not much equipment is needed:
1. Get a pair of binoculars
2. A field guide is essential and can be found in a library or online
3. Join a birding club in your area
4. Do some research and set some goals for the types of birds to look for in your area
5. Keeping a birding notebook to track your sitings will help you develop behavior patterns
6. Having a camera is great to record your sitings and also share with others
7. Be ready to venture out early or occasionally late in the day to look for birds when they are most active.
There are a number of Audubon groups that provide birding etiquette with other birders very similar to the following from the Kalamazoo Audubon Society:
- Be on time.
- Rotate your position on trails.
- Keep in mind that in order to find most birds you will be encroaching on their territory, so tread lightly and respect boundaries.
- Silence is golden. The keen senses of birds alert them to your presence, often long before you have a chance to see them. Whether alone or in a group, walk as quietly as possible and talk softly. Take cues from the leader who might signal for quiet as the group approaches a bird. Quiet walks will also help when listening for bird calls.
- Take extra care when in an active nesting area. It is hard enough for birds to compete with each other for mates and space; human interference causes additional stress.
- Make sure you are not trespassing on private property. Some bird sanctuaries are located on someone’s land, whose owners may not enjoy strangers with binoculars trekking around their backyard. Make sure you have permission to bird beforehand.
- Don’t be a Peeping Tom! Avoid pointing your binoculars at other people or their homes.
- While some birders prefer solitude, others bird in groups and enjoy sharing their findings. If you are new to birding, don’t be shy; there is sure to be a more knowledgeable birder in the group willing to pass on tips and sightings.
- Don’t smoke.
And most important, enjoy yourself! Don’t be too concerned about finding that rare bird or spotting more species than last month. Birding is meant to be informative but also fun.
This is the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/
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References-Additional Reading
Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/economicImpact/pdf/2011-BirdingReport--FINAL.pdf
Thrill, Bliss, Social, and Solitude – All Part of Birding, A Rapidly Growing Outdoor Hobby
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/08/29/birding.aspx
Audubon Society of Kalamazoo Birding Etiquette
http://kalamazooaudubon.org/birding-etiquette/
Nature Quotient.
eBook @Amazon.com
Outdoor Professor’s Tips: Exploring the Wonders of Nature
eBook @Amazon.com
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