An Introduction to the World of Birding

Join the 50 Million Birders in the United States & Canada

If you're looking to get into the hobby of Birding, there are 3 key things that you'll want to consider before venturing out on your first excursion; they are Location, Research, & Equipment.

Location

Choose your location. Know where to go.

You most likely have a green space or an open water source close to your home. These would be excellent locations for your first foray into the world of Birding.

Research

Consider performing a prep routine prior to your outing. 

Base this routine on the current season and weather conditions.

Know which species should be active based on the above.

Consider using a field guide or an App to help identify the seasonal birds in your area.

Birding in a group will offer an excellent opportunity to learn from those in the know.

Look for Birding Groups or Birding Meet-ups in your area.

Equipment

As in most Hobbies, having the most suitable equipment is essential. Birding is no exception.

Wrongly configured Binoculars can cause more problems than they’re worth. Good quality Birding friendly Binoculars are a must. We’ll stick to the basics to help you choose a Birding friendly Binocular. 

Note: Do not buy the most powerful binoculars that you can find.

Our recommended elements to consider:

• Magnification - 7x or 8x will offer a wider Field of View in most types of terrain.
• Objective lens size - 40mm to 42mm
• Brightness -  for low light situations, and “sharpness” for fine detail. 
• Sharpness - for fine detail viewing.
• Fast focus  - hone in on a fast moving bird quickly using a centre focus ring.
• Waterproof - to protect in adverse weather conditions. 
• Fog-proof - nitrogen purged to avoid fogging within.
• Size and Weight -  you may be holding them for hours. Given this, bringing along a Tripod is always a good idea. 
• Eye relief - binoculars that work for eyeglass wearers and non wearers.

Ideally - choose a Binocular that has an acceptable magnification of (7x - 8x) for a larger Field of View (FOV), and a large enough objective lens/aperture that will allow for brightness and sharpness (42mm or higher).

Choose wisely for many years of Birding Bliss!

 

 

If you have any questions at all about Birding and/or any of our products, don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly support team at support@redcarpettelescopes.com, and we'll be happy to help!