Whilst once looked upon as a very uninspiring pastime, bird watching is fast becoming one of the most popular past times in the country. In fact, in many of the most popular areas, bird watching is becoming extremely competitive, with people actually trying to employ tactics to get the best viewing spots and the best chances to see birds.
For those starting out in ornithology, the most important tip is therefore very simple – be courteous and be patient. Not only will aggressive behaviour in trying to spot birds be very unsavoury to others and potentially sully a very enjoyable day for many, but by trying to employ tactics to spot birds, you may actually drive them away. Make sure you choose a spot far enough away that you are not disturbing them and potentially running what makes the habitat perfect for the birds.
This brings us to the next tip – get the right binoculars. Not only will the right pair allow you to get a good vantage point far more easily, but you also need to make sure that the quality is high so that you are comfortable when using them. A cheap pair is likely to be far less comfortable to hold and leave the experience much less satisfying.
Next, of course, you simply need to know where to look for the best wildlife. Whilst we may live in a country with no shortage of birds, if you want to see the most impressive, the rarest or the most interesting birds, then you need to have a good idea of where to go. It is pointless having the best bird watching binoculars if you don’t find yourselves in the best areas to watch the birds.
There are many field guides available and plenty of information on the internet which can help you find the best spots all over the country, allowing you to find the perfect places, no matter where you live.