Download - Beginning birding
Beginning Birding With naturalist Mark Bohrer
Who is that bird anyway?Who is that bird anyway? Who – Colors, legs & bills, calls, size Where – Beach, Marsh, Forest When – Season, Time of day What – Are they flying, perching,
feeding? How do we watch?
Birds are important actorsBirds are important actors They eat grass, seeds, bugs, fish, They eat grass, seeds, bugs, fish,
worms, shellfish, snails…worms, shellfish, snails… What would happen if they didn’t eat?What would happen if they didn’t eat?
Legs, Feet, and BillsLegs, Feet, and Bills
Size matters…Size matters…
Great egret, left, looks like snowy egret, right, BUT…Great egret, left, looks like snowy egret, right, BUT…Look at overall sizes. Then check colors of bills, legs, Look at overall sizes. Then check colors of bills, legs, lores.lores.
Behavior – Behavior – Flying stylesFlying styles
Fast flapping
Soaring
Even flapping
More BehaviorMore Behavior
Eating
Hunting
Nest-buildingFeeding
Seasonal Behavior: Spring and Fall migration
North in Spring to Alaska & Arctic for food / mating
South in Fall to go where the food is
Some birds live here year-round
Spring,
before heading north
Winter
Nesting
More Seasonal BehaviorMore Seasonal Behavior
Raising young
Mating / courtship
What Do We Need to What Do We Need to See ‘em?See ‘em?
BinocularsBinoculars What do those numbers mean? What do those numbers mean?
In 7x35:In 7x35: First number: magnification – how close they bring the bird to you First number: magnification – how close they bring the bird to you Second number: lens size – brightness, width of your view Second number: lens size – brightness, width of your view
Magnification – higher is better, but harder to hold steady Magnification – higher is better, but harder to hold steady 7x – 8x is a good compromise7x – 8x is a good compromise
Lens size – higher is better, but larger and heavier Lens size – higher is better, but larger and heavier 20-40 best range20-40 best range
Good all-around bin – 7x35 or 8x20Good all-around bin – 7x35 or 8x20
REMEMBER – The best pair of bins is the one you have REMEMBER – The best pair of bins is the one you have with you!with you!
What What Else Else Do We Need?Do We Need?
Field GuideField Guide Identify what we’re looking atIdentify what we’re looking at Start with a simple bird chart for your favorite spot, then choose…Start with a simple bird chart for your favorite spot, then choose… Sibley’s Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of the Western U.S.Field Guide to Birds of the Western U.S. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American BirdsNational Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds Fix’s Fix’s Birds of Northern CaliforniaBirds of Northern California Baicich’s Baicich’s Nests, Eggs and NestlingsNests, Eggs and Nestlings Clark’s Clark’s HawksHawks Stokes’ Stokes’ Field Guide to Bird Songs Field Guide to Bird Songs (Audio CD set)(Audio CD set)
We know what to look for – We know what to look for – How do we watch?How do we watch?
Naked eye to start – watch for movementNaked eye to start – watch for movementCan be tough – bird blends with surroundingsCan be tough – bird blends with surroundings
Look in the sky – in the grass – on the waterLook in the sky – in the grass – on the water Keep your eye on the bird – then swing Keep your eye on the bird – then swing
binoculars upbinoculars up Find the bird in the bins, then focusFind the bird in the bins, then focus Enjoy watching!Enjoy watching! Remember as much as you can about legs, Remember as much as you can about legs,
feet, bill, colorsfeet, bill, colors Match up bird you see with bird on your chartMatch up bird you see with bird on your chart
Things to think aboutThings to think about
What’s different about a wading bird? (legs, bill, feet)What’s different about a wading bird? (legs, bill, feet) Did you see any birds near nests?Did you see any birds near nests? Who are the ‘sewing machine’ birds?Who are the ‘sewing machine’ birds? Which birds walk on stilts?Which birds walk on stilts? Which bird has a pretty song but hides in the grass?Which bird has a pretty song but hides in the grass? Which birds make nests out of mud?Which birds make nests out of mud? Which birds stalk fishy prey in the shallows?Which birds stalk fishy prey in the shallows? Which birds put their heads under or dive for food?Which birds put their heads under or dive for food? What do all these guys do for the marsh?What do all these guys do for the marsh?