5 Tips For Successful Bird Watching
By Chuck Fitzgerald, Thu Dec 8th

5 Tips for Successful Bird Watching Chuck Fitzgerald ©2004. AllRights Reserved.

Can you name the number one spectator sport in North America?It’s not baseball, figure skating or racing. It’s bird watching.That’s right, more people are watching birds than football andhockey combined. With so many people hoping to see a birdthey’ve never seen before, it’s not surprising to see aclamoring for the latest tips and tools to get the job done.Here are my top five tips for getting the most out of yourbirding experience.

#1. Get to Where the Birds Are! This sounds obvious, but manybirders spend the majority of their bird watching time andenergy on poor locations. Some folk have the advantage oflooking out of their windows into the back yard to observenature’s best. The rest of us need to get moving. I would highlyrecommend visiting a National Wildlife Refuge. There are over500 of them across the United States. To find one near you,visit http://refuges.fws.gov/ #2. Know What Species to Expect.There are approximately 900 species of birds in the UnitedStates and recognizing each of them is nearly impossible. Sowhen you visit an area, do a little research first. You may findthat perhaps only a few species actually inhabit that particulararea. With a little preparation, you will be able to morereadily identify bird species from each other. Keep a list ofsuccessfully viewed species – we’ll call this tip number two anda half. #3. Get a Great Pair of Binoculars. Spending time andmoney to get to the right place can be totally wasted when yourbinoculars are inadequate. If you have an inexpensive pair ofbinoculars you are not getting the most out of your viewing.Today’s technologies come at a price and they provide crucialbenefits in wildlife viewing. For instance, image stabilizationwill keep your view from shaking-very important when watchingfrom a long distance. Other cool features include anti-fogging,low-light

Sony NEX5 2
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_111612238001_ari-origin06-arc-154-1278945655479.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Sony NEX5 2
Sony NEX5
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_111117672001_th-111113870001.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Sony NEX5
Hands on-Fuji HS10 3
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_91037729001_ari-origin06-arc-170-1276162745198.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Hands on-Fuji HS10 3
Hands-on: Panasonic G2
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_86578184001_ari-origin08-arc-161-1274274842702.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Check out what we have to say about the Panasonic Lumix G2
Hands-on: Canon EOS 550D
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d10/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_71525221001_rhumba18-160-1268387229497.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Paul Carroll checks out the HD video features on Canon's latest entry-level camera, the EOS 550D.
Hands on - Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_111174097001_ari-origin05-arc-125-1278687257139.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Hands on - Canon EOS-1D Mark IV
hands on-Nikon D3s
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d11/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_111176329001_ari-origin06-arc-166-1278687235659.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>hands on-Nikon D3s
Canon 7D: Hands-on review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d8/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_46369575001_asset-1256572929004.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Paul Carrol gives you the low-down on the new Canon 7D.
Hands-on: Pentax K-x (preview)
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d4/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_40205106001_hands-on-pentax-k-x.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Darren Harbar runs through the top features found on the brand new Pentax K-x.
Hands-on: Nikon D300s
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_40045899001_hands-on-D300s.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phill Hall runs through the top new features of the Nikon D300s.
Expert Opinions - Nikon D3000 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_35595873001_d3000-slide.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>In this review video, see what our experts think of Nikon's new D3000.
Expert opinions - Panasonic GF1
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_35397580001_gf1-slide.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Expert opinions - Panasonic GF1
Expert Opinions - Sony Alpha 380
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_34764324001_sony-tile.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Listen to honest opions on the Sony Alpha £80 from our photography experts.
Expert opinions - Olympus Pen E-P1
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_32456627001_olympus-pen-ep-1.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Genuine opinions form our experts. What did they make of the Olympus Pen E-P1?
Panasonic Lumix G1 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1856898671_asset-1223997675018.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>With a brand new interchangeable lens system, based on four-thirds system, the Panasonic G1 is an exciting proposition for those looking for a small camera with tons of features. Michael Topham and James Abbott put it through the paces.
Canon 50D Review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1856898671_asset-1223997675018.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Pill Hall and Michael Topham review the impressive 15.1 megapixel Canon 50D.
Nikon D90 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1830756156_review-nikon-d90.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>With a 12.1mp sensor and new HD video recording facility, the D90 is looking to be an exciting enthusiast digital SLR. Phil and Michael take a closer look.
Nikon D700 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1727941579_review-nikon-d700.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Nikon?s latest full-frame D700 brings together the full-frame sensor from Nikon?s top-of-the-range D3 in a body similar to the D300. Bob and Phil decide if this combination of features makes it the perfect enthusiast D-SLR?
Canon EOS 1000D
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1717925803_review-Canon-1000D.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phil and Bob check out Canon's new enty-level D-SLR and try to find out whether it's worth the hefty price tag.
Sony A350 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d6/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1611263045_review-sony-a350.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phil Hall, Technical Editor for Digital Photo magazine, reviews Sony's latest budget D-SLR. Boasting a massive 14.2megapixel resolution and in-built image stabalisation, how does the alpha 350 really compare to its rivals.
SIgma DP-1 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1531750056_763e48a2771dfe36e9b1fd0d0d21564325e380ae.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Andrew James, Editor-in-chief of Practical photography, reviews Sigma's new high-quality 'prestige' compact camera. Find out if it offers enough functionality to persuade you to use it instead of your D-SLR.
Canon 450D video verdict
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1506562381_01be818242dad7f896cfea2bced61e24d8da41e6.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Bob Martin gives his views on the new Canon EOS 450D in this video verdict.
Sony Alpha 200 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1504844556_de3860d3e4dd86db8a6d0d2b9defdfc9fce3eb97.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Paul Carroll, Digital Photo's Technical Writer, review's Sony's latest budget D-SLR, the Alpha 200.
Pentax K20D review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1463186299_83456a1702fcd68b7afa77a3584ab6a6abdd2bd6.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phil Hall, Digital Photo?s Technical Editor, takes a look at Pentax?s latest and most advanced D-SLR, the K20D. It ticks a lot of boxes, but does it deliver the goods?
Nikon D60 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1433947748_35115951e8e8d130511cb4a2da903855d5b2936a.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phil Hall delivers his verdict on Nikon¿s new entry level digital SLR, the D60.
Sony alpha 700 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1395568351_0d8dba1e20ca2f70e8bd7b4c019897285578734c.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Bob Martin reviews Sony's latest flagship camera, the Alpha 700. Sure it's packed to the gunnels with features but how does is compare with the more established camera manufacturers?
Nikon D3 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d5/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1349551765_e565e3f393eeabe8b3b3f03a82b3109ef1cc2d2a.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Phil Hall shows off the impressive features of the highly-anticipated, Nikon D3, the first full-frame D-SLR from Nikon.
Olympus E-3 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d2/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1342141856_db1253fb63f88a786e503ef97852b6180f41d4e1.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Bob Martin gives you the lowdown on the new E-3 and also tests the weather-proofing by squirting it with water.
Nikon D300 review
<img src="http://brightcove.vo.llnwd.net/d4/unsecured/media/1156823612/1156823612_1317105431_ac5a7e1318b9e48fe8f01ec4b308c516db919219.jpg?pubId=1156823612"/>Bob Martin reviews the handling and new features of the highly-anticipated, Nikon D300


viewing and wide-view characteristics. Additionally,binoculars with built-in digital cameras enable you to identifybirds once you get home. These benefits will definitely enhanceyour bird watching. A great pair of will turn amediocre experience into a great one. You can count on it! #4.Practice Before You Go. A key to viewing wildlife, andespecially birds, is to have the ability to very quickly putyour on target. Many people have difficulty finding afull moon in a pair of binoculars-but alas-learning to focus ona bird in a bush or track a bird in flight is easy for someonewho has practiced prior to their outing. Try this before you go;lower your to your side and very quickly raise themto find and follow a jet airliner across the sky. After only afew attempts, you’ll get good at quickly acquiring your target.Quite often, birds are visible for only a few seconds, practiceto become proficient. #5. Take Someone with You. Life is alwaysbetter when shared. Not only do you get to spend time out ofdoors with someone you like, but they might alert you to the“Number One Sight of the Day.” Share your birding experienceswith your friends and family. Pass the birding excitement to achild.

The best part about wildlife viewing is that you the viewer,control almost every aspect of the experience. The more you areprepared, the more rewarding your time in our backcountry willbe. Follow these 5 simple tips to get the most out of birding.Get Outdoors!

About the author:About the author: Chuck Fitzgerald is the President of Arizonabased BackCountry Toys, an online store providing backcountryspecialty gear and educational information for outdoorenthusiasts. Visit www.BackCountryToys.com to receive the freenewsletter "FreshAir” or call (800) 316-9055.

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