Just What Is Birding, Anyways?

Birding is a great activity for folks of all ages, backgrounds, physical abilities and experience levels. Whether it's your life's passion or merely a passing interest, everyone will enjoy the benefits of spending time in the field with fellow bird watchers. Being outside and surrounded by the natural wonder of our planet is good, but being able to pay attention to specifics and observe them through a pair of binoculars can be even more rewarding.

Anyone can get involved in birding. Also known as bird watching in most areas, this activity is open to people of all experience levels and physical abilities. For many, birding represents an opportunity to be outside, to enjoy nature, and to enjoy the company of people who have similar interests. Still others find a sense of accomplishment by being involved in something that is pro-actively encouraging the preservation of our planet.

Birding is another name for bird watching in most places. Birding is a great activity for families and participants of many different backgrounds. Being outside and surrounded by natural things is what sparks an interest in conservation for many people, and birding is a great opportunity for this passion to begin to grow. As folks become accustomed to being outdoors and they begin to develop more birding skills, they will learn to absorb and pay attention to the entire natural world that surrounds them, and not just what is on the other side of a spotting scope.

Beginners, or those new to birding, will find that more experienced and knowledgeable bird watchers are more than eager and willing to pass on whatever skills and methods that they may have acquired themselves. Bird watchers do not tend to be a selfish bunch and are quite happy to see everyone enjoying the day. The accessibility of the activity often surprises those who are just developing an interest in birding. One can have some great bird watching experiences right in his or her own back yard!

Of course, any activity that welcomes new hobbyists or participants must have veterans who make them feel welcome and who are willing to pass on what they know. Veteran bird watchers often take as much pleasure teaching and guiding newcomers as they do in their own bird watching activities.

The backbone of any birding club or community will be its veteran bird watchers. The younger generations count on the knowledge of local habitat and species to be passed down. Many older and more experienced bird watchers find as much joy in teaching as they do in actually being in the field themselves.

The importance of veteran leadership in the local chapters of birding clubs cannot be overstated. It is these statesmen and women of birding who must carry the torch for future generations of bird watching enthusiasts. Their passion must be replicated and they must be willing to share and to teach.

Ultimately, this necessary relationship between rookie and veteran bird watchers is vital to the continued growth of the movement. There is much more at stake than just recruiting new folks to join us in going to a bird watching destination. Driving the very core of the conservation movement that protects the habitats where the birds nest, feed, and live is people who have a passion for birding. In order for this passion to stay alive, and thus conservation efforts, there must be an ever growing and on going relationship between those who know and those who wish to learn.

The birds stand to gain the most out of these relationships that exist within the bird watch community. Ultimately, this must be about more than just us and our own passions and hobbies. It must be about the protection of habitat and the preservation of the things in this world that are beautiful.

The importance of this mandate is clearly stated in the first point of the Code of Birding Ethics as printed at www.americanbirding.org. Point 1(a) reads, "Support the protection of bird habitat." It is no small thing that this is the first ethic listed. Those who stand as icons and leaders within the birding community recognize that, without a conservation mindset, the future is bleak, not only for bird watchers, but for the birds as well.

The bird watching clubs must make preservation their first priority. Without diligent work in this area, the habitats that hold the birds are in danger. The generations of bird watchers that follow will have significantly less habitat to work in, and to marvel at, if the work of conservation is not done now. It cannot be left for later.

Since birding is an activity that accessible to so many different people, the variety of conservations can be a powerful tool. Veteran bird watchers must be vigilant about teaching and creating interest or the habitats will begin to lose their protectors. Without diligent conservation work, the sprawl of progress will continue to grow right over the top of prime habitat.

So develop a broader sense of birding. Bring birds around more often and dance to the tune of their music while you get and keep them in your area longer with bird feeders.

Learn a lot more: The “Everything You Want to Know About Birdfeeders” Guide