Outdoor Activities
How to be a birdwatcher
Illustrations by Roger Smith
Step 1
Find somewhere you can see birds from.
It could be through a window, or from a bird hide or somewhere
outdoors
Step 2
Buy or borrow some binoculars for birds more than a few metres away.
Find out how to choose them at:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/discover/environment/binoculars/index.asp
Step 3
Get a guidebook of British Birds to help identify the birds you see.
The book should have a diagram of the main parts of a bird – it helps to learn these as soon as you can.
CD-ROMS are good for using at home, especially if they include songs and calls.
Step 4
Wear dull green or brown clothes if you are going out - you need to look like grass or a bush! Dress to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Don’t forget to take something to eat and drink.
Step 5
Plan a visit to a new place carefully.
At the chosen place can you see birds without staring into the sun?
If it is by the sea, will the tide be OK for what you want to see?
Step 6
If you have a dog, take it for a walk some other time.
It will be bored by bird watching and might frighten the birds away.
Step 7
Keep a diary of your bird watching. Note down what you have seen each day.
Remember to put the name of the place, date and time at the top of each page. If you are by the sea, note if the tide was in or out.
Step 8
If you can’t work out what you are looking at, make notes and draw a diagram.
Note what sort of bird it is - duck, heron, small brown land bird?
Compare it with something you know. Note down what it was doing.
Use your notes to check on the internet or ask someone else to identify the bird.
Step 9
Go with someone who knows about birds. Join a bird watching group so you can get some help, see www.rspb.org for details.
Join one of the Conservancy’s bird watching walks or boat trips. (see the main Chichester Harbour website for details)
Expert Tip:
Learn slowly, its much easier!
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