FOR THE BIRDING BEGINNER

Given that birding is one of the world’s fastest-growing leisure activities, it is safe to assume that a few of you out there are toying with the idea of lacing up the Timberlands and heading to the nearest nature trail in search of our feathered friends. Like any journey into the unknown, those first few steps are often the hardest. Fortunately, as someone who recently embraced the birding life, I am uniquely qualified to address some of the questions you may have.  

What do I need to start my new life as a birder? 

I began with a borrowed pair of binoculars, an old camera and a guidebook found in a used bookstore. Just be sure that, when you go looking for your first guidebook, it’s a recent edition. Our ongoing demolition of the natural world means older versions may have outdated information regarding things like migration ranges and the status of certain species—if your guidebook describes the Whooping Crane as ‘common’, for example, keep shopping. Should you eventually reach the hardcore birder stage, you can invest in a big-ass scope that lets you count the spots on a Spotted Sandpiper from a kilometre away.  

Can I just use my camera for starters? 

Absolutely: as long as it has a decent zoom lens. A Google search of your photo usually provides an accurate identification, though I find it much more fun and rewarding to cross-reference shots with my guidebook to solve each new mystery. Even to spot birds, I relied heavily on my idiot-proof SLR camera for the first few years while mastering the skill of seeing through my binoculars. 

What about fancy tech tools? 

There are plenty of online resources and apps available to accelerate your birding learning curve. Being somewhat old school, however, the only two I use are the eBird website and the Merlin app. The former allows you to save lists and check out what others are spotting at countless birding ‘hotspots’. The Merlin app makes identifying species far easier with tools like sound ID that instantly identifies all the birds within earshot. I’ve always used Merlin sparingly, however, as I enjoy putting in the hard work of learning how to identify species without any shortcuts.  

What’s been your most valuable birding resource? 

That one’s easy: other, smarter birders. And when you’re a novice, every other birder is smarter. Fortunately, you won’t find a nicer, more helpful community than the bird crowd. My opening line when approaching other birders has always been ‘Seen anything interesting?’ It gets the conversation started, while also allowing me to gather valuable information without sounding like a moron.  

Do I need a Tilley hat? 

My filthy Blue Jay cap worked fine until I upgraded to my cheap Tilley rip-off. The key is to slather sunblock on all your exposed skin like you’re buttering toast. A good pair of water-resistant hiking boots and a few UV-resistant shirts are also worth looking into. 

Is Waterloo Region good for birding? 

While not necessarily the sexiest of Ontario’s birding destinations—that would be Point Pelee in May—our own backyard has plenty to offer. In just the last few years of poking about natural escapes within the Tri-Cities, I’ve spotted 145 different species. Next month I’ll be sharing some of my favourite local birding haunts. Until then, I urge you to set up your free eBird account, click the ‘Explore’ button, type in ‘Waterloo Region’ and voila! You’ll have lots of local hotspots to check out now. 

What can I expect to see? 

The list is too long to cover here, but our region’s combination of forested trails and wetlands makes it ideal for a wide variety of species that stay here year-round or migrate through during spring and fall. In a brief visit to Columbia Lake last June, I spotted two Bald Eagles, a Great Egret and a Great Blue Heron, a Solitary Sandpiper, a Belted Kingfisher hunting for its breakfast, several Red-winged Blackbirds, plus an entire assortment of sparrows, flycatchers and other smaller birds. 

Now that I’ve answered enough of your questions to get you started on that first birding adventure, it’s all up to you. So, get off your butt, pull on your boots and go find yourself a Pileated! (Look it up; it’s in the woodpecker section of your almost-new guidebook.) 

#bird #birding #BrianSmith #fancy #Hobbies #kitchener #Nature #photography #tech #timberlands #Tools #trail #Walking #waterloo #waterlooRegion