Birdwatching skills

Anywhere! You don’t have to go far to spot birds. Your back garden or a park nearby can be a great place to start. Even if you live in the city, you can spot many birds on parking lots and in front yards! 

The most important skill for any birdwatcher is observation. Look around you, above and behind you. What’s moving? What can you hear? Move gently, without making sudden moves.

When you see a bird, look carefully. There are many different ways to tell what kind of bird it is! Try to look at its size and shape: is it small or large? Is it round and fluffy, or kind of long and thin? Then look at the bird’s colour. Does it have any bright colours or markings that tell you right away what it is?

The way a bird acts can also tell you a lot! Is it hopping along looking for bugs? Is it climbing up a tree trunk, or zooming from branch to branch? Can you tell which sounds it’s making?

You don’t really need any equipment to enjoy birdwatching, but these things may be handy if you have them.

• Field guide: a handy little book with pictures and descriptions of all sorts of birds. This website tells you about ten common birds, but there are many more to discover!
• Notebook: keep notes of the birds you spot.
• Binoculars: nice if you have them, but you can spot plenty of birds without.
• Wellies and a raincoat: keep yourself dry and warm, so you can stay out longer!

• Be aware of what’s going on around you. Be extra careful if there’s any traffic nearby.
• Always tell an adult where you’re going. Don’t go on private property, unless you have permission from the owner.
• Keep a bit of distance from birds in the wild. You don’t need to worry if you scare a bird away by accident, but don’t chase them! You should also stay away from nests. Mum and dad may not come back if they spot you near their babies.
• Respect the environment. Take any litter you have back home with you.