A beginners guide to birdwatching
24 Jul 2017
Research suggests being around birds can improve your mental health and wellbeing. So what are you waiting for?
Easy on the eyes and not too hard on the legs, bird watching (or ‘birding’) is a simple way to enjoy the outdoors and improve your fitness this winter.
The gear
It’s not hard to get into birding, but there are a couple of things you’ll need before venturing out:
A field guide. There are a few good ones out there, including The Morcombe & Stewart Guide to Birds of Australia and Pizzey and Knight Birds of Australia, both of which have smartphone apps for the tech-savvy bird watcher.
Binoculars. You don’t just want the most powerful lens; you want something with a good field of view. A good configuration for birding is 8x43 (a magnification of eight times with a 43-millimetre lens). Remember to consider the size if you intend to carry it around.
Where to go
With over 300 locations around Australia with significant bird populations, you’ll never be short of places to spot a feathered beauty. Some locations, such as hiking trails, require a bit of planning, but there should be plenty of places closer to home to try your luck. If you’re stuck, try a nearby beach, mangrove, park or bushland area.
Generally speaking, the fewer humans nearby, the better your chances. If you aren’t up for travelling too far from home, setting up a bird feeder in your backyard can also yield positive (and sometimes surprising) results.
What to do
When you head out birding, remember you want to do everything you can to get the best view. To do this, wear dull coloured clothes so you don’t stick out. Make sure you move quietly and avoid sudden movements. When you see a bird, bring your binoculars to your eyes without taking your eyes off your target.
You can identify the birds you see using your field guide. Once you’ve seen a bird, identify it with your field guide and cross it off. Eventually, you might want to arrange trips to some places further afield where you know you’ll see some new birds. ••
Top Aussie birding locations
- Jerrabomberra Wetlands, ACT
- Lord Howe Island, NSW
- Kakadu National Park, NT
- Daintree Rainforest, QLD
- Gluepot Reserve, SA
- Dandenong Ranges, VIC
- Narawntapu National Park, Tas
- Broom Bird Observatory, WA
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