Tip of the Month
Attend a Bird Hike
One of the best activities that you can partake in, especially if you are new to an area or new to birding, is attending a bird hike led by a local birder. These hikes can help you become more familiar with the local birds, teach you about local birding hotspots, and allow you to meet many other local birders.
By having a local expert on the hikes, you will be able to see many more species than you would as a new birder without someone there to help you identify all the things you are seeing. You will also have a knowledgeable person around to answer any questions you may have and to teach you about the birds you are seeing.
You should also plan to attend hikes at parks around your area and beyond if you are willing to make the trip. This will allow you to get a better feel for different areas and to have a better understanding of where to go for specific species.
Another benefit of joining bird hikes is that they enable you to meet a large number of birders in your area. These people may become some of your best birding resources and maybe even some of your best friends. By connecting with many local birders, you will hear about rare birds faster and you will always run into a friendly face when out in the field.
There are a couple of things that you can do to find bird hikes in your area. First, check the website of the local Audubon society. They typically will have a listing of the hikes in your area including the place, dates, and times. You can also check with local parks to see if they offer any hikes. Many of the parks that have the best birding opportunities also offer bird hikes.
If you have any question about finding bird hikes to join or how to find others that bird in your area, please email me at robert.ripma@nuttybirder.com.