One thing I hear a lot from people who I am trying to turn into birders is that they don't have enough time/patience/focus/whatever. I'll admit that in some ways this is a valid argument, especially for beginners. For someone with no prior birding experience, identification requires getting a really good look at the bird in question. For that to happen, you need the bird to sit out in the open, stay still for long enough for you to get your binoculars aimed at it, and show off some of its more definitive plumage patterns. Birds tend not to behave in such a way. If that's not bad enough, beginners haven't fine-tuned their vision to pick up on small bird-type movements (I'm really not sure how to describe this--there are just some things that
look like the way a bird moves or the way the branches shake when a bird lands there), so they often notice fewer birds in the first place.
Since cooperative birds are so infrequent, it can take a long time for a beginning birder to find one. Thus quite a bit of time and patience are required if you want to start birding by yourself. Luckily, there are a number of remedies for this:
1. Choose your habitat wisely. Certain areas and environments make it just plain hard to see the birds that are there. Mature forests and dense underbrush may have thousands of warblers flitting to and fro, but you aren't likely to get a decent view of them when they're buried behind hundreds of leaves that are just as big as they are. The best habitat for beginner birders is, unfortunately, not one we have a lot of in central Illinois: marshes and other wetlands, the wetter the better. Go watch some ducks and herons. They're big, relatively slow-moving, and sit out in the water where they're easy to see. They can also be really interesting, especially if you catch some of them in the process of feeding. Also, while you're watching waterbirds, keep an eye out for anything unusual that might show up along the water's edge. You can check out the "Local Birding Sites" page of my blog to see recommendations as to where to go. As far as wetlands go, Curpros Pond is your best bet for good birding.
2. Put up birdfeeders! These provide excellent viewing opportunities of backyard birds like cardinals, sparrows, finches, and doves. Try to have a variety of the kinds of food that you offer. Seed mixes often have a list of birds they are specific to, but anything with sunflower seeds is a good bet for the majority of species. Goldfinches love "sock feeders" with small thistle-type seeds. In winter, considering putting out suet cakes (solid beef fat often combined with seeds and mealworms) and whole peanuts to attract woodpeckers, nuthatches, blue jays, and, depending on where you live, chickadees and titmice. In general, birds are more attracted to feeders in winter because food is scarce elsewhere.
3. Go birding with someone who has lots of experience! "Serious" birders can point out birds and identification features that you would otherwise miss, and often know exactly where to look for certain species. I used to be a raw beginner, but the local Audubon Society has raised me well. Keep an eye out for any of my email announcements of birding events, and consider attending a few Audubon Society birdwalks, the last two of which for this year will be from 7:30-9:00 starting at the Anita Purves Nature Center in Urbana on October 21 and October 28.
4. Practice! One thing I can't stress enough is that birding gets more exciting the better you are at it. Most of all, learn how to aim binoculars quickly and accurately. Once you can do that, you'll start getting really good views of birds that don't sit still very long, notably warblers.
Aaaand, just as some encouragement, I have a little challenge. Go birding somewhere (anywhere, even your own backyard) for 15-30 minutes, and keep track of all the species you see. Post a comment with where you went and a list of species you saw. How many can you find?
Oh, and photos are welcome, too. Especially if you're not quite sure what kind of bird it is.
Happy birding!
