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How to Take a Bird Watching Vacation - Paradise for Bird
Lovers!
A bird watching vacation is a must-do activity for both novice
and experienced bird lovers. Taking a vacation where the main aim is to
enjoy birds in their natural environment is a popular choice for many
birders across the globe and for good reason.
Heading into the great outdoors to track and observe the birds you love
and discover new species must be one of the greatest thrills for a bird
enthusiast. On a bird watching vacation not only will you see
bird behavior and habits first-hand, you'll also get to learn about the
areas in which the birds live, their food plants, mating calls, roosting
areas, territories and so much more.
Bird lovers don't have to be ultra-experienced to plan a bird
watching vacation. All it takes is a keen interest in birds (any
birds in any area), a love of the outdoors, a good pair of binoculars, a
field guide and plenty of patience and enthusiasm. Careful planning is
the way to make sure that your birding tour is a success.
You can choose practically any location for a bird watching vacation as
long as you are allowed on the land or obtain the necessary permission
to study birds there. Even private land can be a bird watching spot if
the owner is happy for you to locate and watch birds there.
You may want to plan your bird watching vacation around one
species of birds, for example hummingbirds, or around a general category
of birds like birds of prey or woodpeckers. It really is all up to you
but make sure you choose birds that you are likely to find fairly easily
(unless of course you fancy trying to locate a rare bird species).
You can choose a
camping vacation for your bird watching tour or stay at a
local hotel and visit your areas of interest each day. If you choose a
campground for your bird watching vacation you are likely to have the
most fun and see the most birds.
After all you will be right in the middle of their home - with the rare
opportunity of watching them from your tent or while sitting around the
campfire. There is very little to beat this kind of bird watching
vacation and it's definitely recommended.
Once you've chosen your accommodation for your bird watching vacation
make a list of all the birds you would like to spot and read up on their
habits and behavior so you will have some idea of the best places to
find them.
The best time for bird watching is early in the morning when they
are at their most active. Weather is always a consideration on a bird
watching vacation so you need to make sure you have the right attire and
equipment for very hot or very cold weather.
Before setting out make sure you have all the equipment you will need
for your bird spotting: field guide, bird lists, weather information,
route maps and binoculars. Take plenty of water and food if you are
likely to be out on the trail for most of the day. A bird watching
vacation may also include trips in the car to destinations that are
further away so make sure the car is ready for the journey.
Plan the route you want to take and set out, leaving plenty of time to
arrive back before nightfall if you are camping on your bird watching
vacation and still need to cook your evening meal! Now all that's left
to do is keep you eyes peeled for your favorite feathered friends.
Try to stop several times along the way and just sit quietly. This way
you won't alarm or disturb your subjects and will have the greatest
chance of observing them behaving naturally. Your bird watching
vacation should never be intrusive to the birds you are studying.
If you are keeping score on your bird watching vacation , mark all the
birds you observe in your field guide and maps so that you can read up
on them later. If not, just enjoy observing the habits and behavior of
each bird you see. Notice what the bird is eating, how he eats, and what
shape its beak is.
Try to decide if the bird you are looking at is a male or female and if
they are traveling in mated pairs or alone. Can you spot any very young
or adolescent birds? Are the birds in flocks or solitary and what trees
or bushes do they favor? Try to notice each birds special markings and
try to figure out if its colors and patterns help it to hide in its
environment. Make your bird watching vacation interesting by
asking questions and trying to uncover the answers by watching the bird.
If your bird is startled, try to see if there are large birds of prey in
the area. Try to make your bird watching vacation as memorable as
possible by becoming more in tune with the natural ebb and flow of the
bird's behavior.
Ask yourself these and other questions constantly during your bird
watching vacation and you will find that you have gained a wealth of
knowledge about each bird in a very short time.
The main goal of a bird watching vacation should be to have fun
and learn as much as you can about each bird but don't become too bogged
down with details or you'll miss all the fun! Above all you should take
away something positive and inspiring from each birding trip. Happy bird
watching!
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