Birding 101: The Hobbyist Bird Watcher

Are you interested in becoming a bird watcher? Here’s my perspective as an amateur birder and maybe even some tips to keep in mind as you explore this diverse and interesting hobby.

First of all, what is it? How do we define it? What is a bird watcher, bird watching and bird watching? Bird watchers are people, professionals or amateurs, who go in search of birds. Bird watching is the hobby itself and it consists of making bird lists, studying them and other general activities surrounding our feathered friends. A bird watcher, on the other hand, is someone who watches birds for whatever reason. It has been said that you should never refer to a bird watcher as a “bird watcher”. It almost seems like an insult, I imagine, to a serious birder. Bird watchers are not “just” watching. Bird watchers have a goal in mind and are only satisfied when they meet that goal.

I have recently proclaimed myself an amateur bird watcher. I feel that birders are patient people and I would like to cultivate more of that trait in my own existence. I also feel that bird watching is quite a relaxing hobby and encourages us to spend more time in nature where peace is abundant. In short, my first goal as a birder is to experience more of the natural world around me.

As a bird watcher, I neither watch nor wait. I choose to walk and listen. I am actively looking for birds in my garden and waiting for the perfect photo opportunity and the perfect moment when I can capture a bit of nature with my camera lens. My eyes are usually up and scanning the trees. I walk slowly and I listen and I am attentive to the movements. I am also typically drawn to their song or call. Keep in mind that you will usually hear a bird before you see it. I also found that if you walk towards them slowly and then stop and wait, the bird will come closer to you. Maybe because you’re not acting dangerous or threatening.

Once you decide to go bird hunting, you need to decide what the end result is that you are looking to achieve. Why do you want to become a bird watcher? Are you looking to capture a moment with your lens? Are you interested in seeing a bird, either with your own eyes or through the eyes of a pair of binoculars? Are you interested in hearing their song and knowing what kind of bird makes those chirps or chirps? Are you interested in cataloging birds and creating a “life list”, that is, a list of the birds you have seen in your life complete with the date and place of each sighting?

I feel like there is a “real” bird watcher, just for the birds. Seeing them, hearing their call, experiencing them in the wild, and then going home happy to have seen something that is now part of them forever. I, on the other hand, go by the “perfect” shot. I don’t want to just watch them; I want to capture the moment.

Perhaps I am misled in this thinking and lack the true essence of bird watching? Although I recently announced a birding rule that I created for myself and even publicly announced in my social circles. If I see something good and I don’t have my cell phone handy to capture the moment, I just have to enjoy the moment. Simple as that!

This happened because I was recently at home and I was walking in my bedroom window and I went down and behold a beautiful falcon swooped in and landed right outside! In my enthusiasm to “capture” the moment, I lost the ability to appreciate the moment. I went out to get my phone and when I came back the bird was gone. It is nowhere to be seen.

In short, being a bird watcher has various levels of participation and commitment suitable for any level of interest. I recommend keeping your goal in mind as you explore this wonderful hobby. Birds are fascinating in a myriad of ways and will keep you coming back to learn, see and experience more of what they have to offer as a species. I am really enjoying my trip as a bird watcher, and I think you will too. Happy bird watching!