Tips and Tricks: Birdwatching in Bayfield

Birdwatching is an exciting and rewarding hobby that serves as a great excuse to get outdoors, become familiar with nature, and get some exercise while you’re at it. Sometimes referred to as ”birding”, this hobby can be done virtually all year round, though many prefer to go birdwatching in the warmer months of the year. We’ve put together some tips for new birdwatchers, along with some reminders for more experienced birders. Read along for some simple advice that could make your birdwatching experience even more enjoyable!

Pick a good time and place to go birdwatching.

While Its true that birds can be found all over Ontario, even within busy cities or in our own backyards, the amount of different species and types of birds varies greatly depending time and place. Many bird watchers will tell you that early morning is the best time to spot some birds, but there are other times during the day that can also be prime time for birders, such as late afternoon or soon after rainfall. As for places to go looking, try heading to a nearby nature trail, gardens or a local park. Those searching for waterbirds may like to watch near rivers, bays, ponds or lakes. Several websites such as ebird, provide maps and locations of birding hotspots, that can help you find some nearby areas to go for your next hike.

Learn how to identify birds!

To get the most out of birdwatching, we suggest learning how to identify the types of birds you are seeing. There are many things to look out for such as species, sex, age colour and size. Another identifying factor can be the sounds the bird makes including calls, songs or pecking noises. It can be very useful to learn the sounds of different birds so that you can track their whereabouts and know where to look. There are many resources that can help you identify the sights and sounds of birds including books and field guides or apps such as Merlin (works even in offline mode!), which can help you narrow in on a bird identification by inputting distinguishing features or photos of your sighting.

Bring some equipment (or don't!)

Many more serious birdwatchers and hobbyists like to bring some equipment to help them spot birds. Some things you might like to bring with you can include: a camera, binoculars, a notepad, sun protection (sunscreen, hats. etc.) bug spray, water and snacks. It is also common to find birdwatchers who like to go without any of these distractions, and become fully immersed in their experience, enjoying nature. There is no right or wrong way to go birdwatching!

Record your sightings.

Some of the fun in birdwatching can often be recording the types and amounts of different birds that you see each time you go out. Some of the most common methods of recording your findings include; note taking, sketching, photography, and using birdwatching websites and apps such as ebird. Bird photography is a hobby that often goes hand in hand with birdwatching, though the cost can be a barrier for many hobbyists. A good camera with a high zoom lens can be extremely expensive, but luckily there are now some more affordable options available such as super-zoom point-and-shoot cameras like the Nikon P900.

Be patient.

One of the most important pieces of advice for birdwatchers is to be patient. You may not immediately be surrounded by birds every time you go out looking, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t nearby! Those who rush, or make a lot of noise will tend to miss birds or scare them away. With patience, birds will begin to come out of hiding, or sing a bird call which will allow you to better locate them. One common strategy and exercise of patience is to pick a spot that may be high traffic for birds such as a body of water, an area with many wildflowers, or certain types of trees, and sit nearby in complete silence, observing. Soon enough with any luck, the birds will come to you.

Have fun!

These tips are just some guidelines that can help you get started, and make the most of your birdwatching, but keep in mind that there are no rules! There are many different types of birdwatchers, strategies and goals, but the most important part of birdwatching is to get out there and have fun!