How to Get Started with Birdwatching

If you're new to the world of bird watching, or even just considering testing the waters, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. I mean, bird enthusiasts seem like they have all the knowledge and all the tools, we get it! Birding really atunes us with the natural world around us and invites wonder into the everyday. Prepare to be constantly noticing bird calls and appearances and searching for identification or marveling in the comfort of a familiar species. 

Here's a full guide of how (and where) to start. 

Blue Jay. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

1. Discover your own backyard first

This absolutely applies even if your outdoor space is minimal! Even if you only have a balcony, do birds visit it? Are you able to identify them? Learning more common birds first can help build your confidence for when you're 'in the field'. 

PRO TIP: Download the Merlin app. This is a free, global bird guide with sounds, maps, and more. It's extremely helpful. It can help you get familiar with bird songs. You can allow the app to listen to the bird you're hearing and identify it through sound, this can even be a way to confirm what you thought via sight. You can also use this feature to get a general idea of what birds you are commonly hearing in your area and start associating a visual with them. 

To continue to grow your skills close to home, get a bird feeder. Feeders that work great for 'firsts' are simple tube, hopper, or suet feeders. We offer these great 'Share the Joy' boxes that come as a kit with everything you need to start. This is an easy way to keep a close eye on which species are visiting, and slowly grow your familiarity and identification skills with your backyard birds. 

Don't want a full-blown feeder just yet? Understandable. A lower entry cost is Bark Butter. It is a smearable suet that you can put anywhere!! It has attracted over 150 species. Window feeders are another simple yet exciting option. 

Northern Cardinal at Window Feeder. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

2. Join a local Facebook group 

These groups are a great way to familiarize yourself with birds that are being regularly seen in your area, and people tend to be really helpful with identification if you ever get stuck or want a second opinion. Our group, Ontario Birds by WBU Barrie and WBU Newmarket  is a great space if you're in Ontario. People share sightings from across Ontario and you can learn a lot just from scrolling the feed. This can even help you see where other people are birding, for many it's their own yards as well but there are also many hot spots. 

3. Get a pair of binoculars 

They don't have to be the most expensive pair to start, but this is going to be key for being able to see birds at a distance. For birds, many species can look quite similar from a distance. This will help you distinguish key features and behaviour, which can both be really important factors in identifying a bird. 

If you see a group of birds on the ground, for example, you may be surprised upon zooming in that there are several different species present. 

Welcome to the wonderful world of birding, you're going to have so much fun! 

Warmly, 

Heather