Gear for Birdwatching

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Gear for Birdwatching

Gear for birdwatching – Glorious days are here. I started a serious fetish with tracking down and photographing each of the warblers that are said to visit Wisconsin. I live in Green Bay and our area receives its fair share of the feathered friends.

Oh, and yes; I have a passion for all things wild and nature. Birds, blooms, landscapes – everything! Many of the pics here come from my photography adventures just in case I haven’t made this perfectly clear 😉

This year, instead of passing all the birders with binoculars in hand, I have been stopping and chatting with them. Asking them more about their passion for bird watching. Two gentlemen, in particular, were extremely interesting to speak with. On the camera side of things we have our gadgets and gizmos and on the birding side, they have their own gear for birdwatching.

I learned a few tips and tricks to spot warblers from my fellow bird watching friends which will help me on my photography exploration.

Why Bird Watching?
People bird watch for many reasons. For some, it is a passion and they enjoy welcoming the birds back for another season. Others, use birding as an excuse to get out and get some exercise. It doesn’t matter what your reason for birdwatching is…. I am just happy you find some enjoyment in it like I do.

Male Common House Sparrow - The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and many other foods. — Male Common House Sparrow – The house sparrow is strongly associated with human habitations, and can live in urban or rural settings. Though found in widely varied habitats and climates, it typically avoids extensive woodlands, grasslands, and deserts away from human development. It feeds mostly on the seeds of grains and weeds, but it is an opportunistic eater and commonly eats insects and many other foods.

Suggested Tools For Birding

1.) A Good Set of Binoculars (Not optional)

Suggested Options on What to Look for When Purchasing a Set of Binoculars:

Instafocus System for fast focus on moving targets is helpful
Waterproof and fogproof are helpful
Non-slip rubber grip pads for secure grip in all weather conditions
Don’t get the 10X magnification go for a lower power. More isn’t better in this case according to many. It is to difficult to keep the birds in view.
Instafocus System for fast focus on moving targets is helpful
Get a pair that are slim, lightweight and comfortable.Four birders said that the Polaris Optics WideViews were the best on the market. Maybe they are. Maybe, they are not. I do not own them, so I can’t speak about the quality. Just thought it was a good mention.

2.) A Playback Device with Bird Sounds (Optional)

After talking to one retired gentleman I bought what I call “the nut” it has proven to be useful. The nut is a wireless speaker that can be attached to my wrist or to a zipper pull. I use my iPhone to download bird calls and then play them through the speaker. You can hold the device to your ear for call recognition or use it to call the bird in for a closer look. The speaker projects the sound further than iPhone speakers. I purchase it here: Mini Wireless Bluetooth Nut Speaker with Sling for iPhone iPad Android and More

Wood Thrush - The wood thrush is a medium-sized thrush, with brown upper parts with mottled brown and white underparts. The male and female are similar in appearance. The song of the male is often cited as being the most beautiful in North America. The wood thrush is an omnivore, and feeds preferentially on soil invertebrates and larvae, but will also eat fruits. In the summer, it feeds on insects continuously in order to meet daily metabolic needs. It is solitary, but sometimes forms mixed-species flocks. — Wood Thrush – The wood thrush is a medium-sized thrush, with brown upper parts with mottled brown and white underparts. The male and female are similar in appearance. The song of the male is often cited as being the most beautiful in North America. The wood thrush is an omnivore, and feeds preferentially on soil invertebrates and larvae, but will also eat fruits. In the summer, it feeds on insects continuously in order to meet daily metabolic needs. It is solitary but sometimes forms mixed-species flocks.

Before someone goes off and says it disturbs the bird’s natural cycle – save your time typing. My mind goes to duck calls and deer calls. I have researched bird calls and found no indication that it hurts the birds. I am not stating to sit and play it over and over OR am I stating to use it even daily – but a call once in awhile will not hurt for a certain bird.

Just check the area in which you are in before using it. Some places state you can use calls and some say you can’t. But, to me, the birders that are making the pishing sounds with their mouths luring warblers in are doing much the same thing.

When on public property we go by their rules and on private property, it doesn’t matter. It is a judgment call.

3.) Messenger Bag (Optional)

As a photographer I love messenger bags. Apparently, birders love them too. Great for any gender to carry all of your gear and water bottles.

4.) Field Guide to Birds (IMO Not Optional)

Get a good guide for the Eastern or Western U.S. birds it is indispensable to most birders.

Just Get Out There!

First American Robin — I like to try and photograph the first American Robin I see each spring. Sometimes, I am in the car so it doesn’t happen. This year I was lucky. Caught on an early AM walk.

As you can see, it really doesn’t take all that much gear for birdwatching. You only really need binoculars and a good bird book to get you started. Everything else is just the icing on the cake. Happy birding to you!

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