Hobbies > BirdwatchingBirdwatching: A Wonderous JourneyRetirement marks a time to embrace new passions, and one rewarding pursuit is the never-ending joy of birdwatching. Birding not only connects you with the serenity of nature but also promises many thrilling moments of awe and discovery of the vast diversity and beauty of the birding kingdom, also known as Aves. With over 10,000 species of birds in the world, and the most diverse group of vertebrates you will never get bored with this delightful pastime. To inspire you and help you get started with birdwatching, we've compiled a few basic essentials you might wish to consider so you can have the best birdwatching experience.Birding Field Guides: Identify Your Feathered FriendsOne excellent way to deepen your understanding of the avian world is through a comprehensive field guide to birds. These are designed to aid in easy bird identification and make your birdwatching experience even more rewarding. You can find field guides for your region and use them to help you distinguish between the myriad of species and discover the varities of birds in your area. Many species have very similar markings so having a field guide can come in very handy and help you the characteristics that distinguish each type such as shape of beak, coloring and types of tail feathers.Here's a few very popular and well respected field guides that you can order from Amazon:
Field Guide AppsIn addition to be the proud owner of a beautifully illustrated birding book that you can enjoy reading in-depth information, you can also enjoy the convenience of having a field guide app on your mobile device, to quickly check a species while you are hiking. Visit one of the app stores to downlownd the free Audubon Field Guide app. For Android devices, download it from the Google play store, or if you have an ios device or iPhone, get it from the Apple App store.Start your Birding CheckistDiscover the thrill of spotting rare and sought-after species and track the ones you've seen or hope to see by keeping a birding checklist. Serious birders like to keep track of the birds that they have seen and the top ones they hope to see in the wild. You can start your own list by writing down the names of the one's you commonly see in your area and add to that others that you want to see with the help of a birder's field guide for your region.Join a Birding ClubAnother great way to expand your avian knowledge is to join a birdwatching club, which not only connects you with fellow enthusiasts and experts, but also opens the door to a wealth of shared experiences. The Audubon Society is a highly respected non-profit organization that devotes funds to preserve bird habitat as well as provides a community that fosters camaraderie and provides numerous avenues for enhancing your birdwatching journey. They offer a supportive community that organizes birdwatching walks, educational programs, and social events. They have chapters in many areas, so check out the Audubon Society web site to find one near and consider signing up for their membership program and help support our feathered friends.Best Birding BinocularsTo get the best view of your feathered friends, its a good idea to invest in a quality set of binoculars. Birdwatching experts recommend using binoculars with a balance of magnification and clarity, such as ones with 8 x 42 range.For an exceptional viewing experience, here's a few good binocular options to consider purchashing directly from Amazon.com:
Encourage Birds to Visit with a Bird FeederA great way to see a nice variety of birds in your own backyard is to add different types of bird feeders to your garden. There are many styles to choose from that will attract specific species of birds. By varying the types of seed offered at each feeder you'll be sure to see a nice variety of your feathered friends stop by.Here's a few types of bird feeders to consider adding to your garden which you can choose from on Amazon:
Book a Bird Expedition TripIf you want to take your birdwatching to next level, consider planning a trip to a birder's paradise that is well known for its biodiversity. Why not look into booking an excursion to one an exotic destinations known for rare and majestic species? This is a great way to combine your love of birdwatching with an exciting travel adventure. Consider these and other exceptional locations known for their diverse habitat that supports an abudance of wildlife and beautiful scenery for a truly unforgettable experience.
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Photo by Daly Selva Lira / Pexels
Male Eastern Painted Bunting, BahamasPhoto by David McGowen  Male Resplendent Quetzal, MexicoPhoto by phototrip.cz / Adobe Stock  Black-capped Lory, Australia Photo by David Clode / Unsplash |