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Beginning Birding With naturalist Mark Bohrer

Beginning birding

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Page 1: Beginning birding

Beginning Birding With naturalist Mark Bohrer

Page 2: Beginning birding

Who is that bird anyway?Who is that bird anyway? Who – Colors, legs & bills, calls, size Where – Beach, Marsh, Forest When – Season, Time of day What – Are they flying, perching,

feeding? How do we watch?

Page 3: Beginning birding

Birds are important actorsBirds are important actors They eat grass, seeds, bugs, fish, They eat grass, seeds, bugs, fish,

worms, shellfish, snails…worms, shellfish, snails… What would happen if they didn’t eat?What would happen if they didn’t eat?

Page 4: Beginning birding
Page 5: Beginning birding

Legs, Feet, and BillsLegs, Feet, and Bills

Page 6: Beginning birding

Size matters…Size matters…

Great egret, left, looks like snowy egret, right, BUT…Great egret, left, looks like snowy egret, right, BUT…Look at overall sizes. Then check colors of bills, legs, Look at overall sizes. Then check colors of bills, legs, lores.lores.

Page 7: Beginning birding

Behavior – Behavior – Flying stylesFlying styles

Fast flapping

Soaring

Even flapping

Page 8: Beginning birding

More BehaviorMore Behavior

Eating

Hunting

Nest-buildingFeeding

Page 9: Beginning birding

Seasonal Behavior: Spring and Fall migration

North in Spring to Alaska & Arctic for food / mating

South in Fall to go where the food is

Some birds live here year-round

Spring,

before heading north

Winter

Page 10: Beginning birding

Nesting

More Seasonal BehaviorMore Seasonal Behavior

Raising young

Mating / courtship

Page 11: Beginning birding

What Do We Need to What Do We Need to See ‘em?See ‘em?

BinocularsBinoculars What do those numbers mean? What do those numbers mean?

In 7x35:In 7x35: First number: magnification – how close they bring the bird to you First number: magnification – how close they bring the bird to you Second number: lens size – brightness, width of your view Second number: lens size – brightness, width of your view

Magnification – higher is better, but harder to hold steady Magnification – higher is better, but harder to hold steady 7x – 8x is a good compromise7x – 8x is a good compromise

Lens size – higher is better, but larger and heavier Lens size – higher is better, but larger and heavier 20-40 best range20-40 best range

Good all-around bin – 7x35 or 8x20Good all-around bin – 7x35 or 8x20

REMEMBER – The best pair of bins is the one you have REMEMBER – The best pair of bins is the one you have with you!with you!

Page 12: Beginning birding

What What Else Else Do We Need?Do We Need?

Field GuideField Guide Identify what we’re looking atIdentify what we’re looking at Start with a simple bird chart for your favorite spot, then choose…Start with a simple bird chart for your favorite spot, then choose… Sibley’s Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds of the Western U.S.Field Guide to Birds of the Western U.S. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American BirdsNational Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds Fix’s Fix’s Birds of Northern CaliforniaBirds of Northern California Baicich’s Baicich’s Nests, Eggs and NestlingsNests, Eggs and Nestlings Clark’s Clark’s HawksHawks Stokes’ Stokes’ Field Guide to Bird Songs Field Guide to Bird Songs (Audio CD set)(Audio CD set)

Page 13: Beginning birding

We know what to look for – We know what to look for – How do we watch?How do we watch?

Naked eye to start – watch for movementNaked eye to start – watch for movementCan be tough – bird blends with surroundingsCan be tough – bird blends with surroundings

Look in the sky – in the grass – on the waterLook in the sky – in the grass – on the water Keep your eye on the bird – then swing Keep your eye on the bird – then swing

binoculars upbinoculars up Find the bird in the bins, then focusFind the bird in the bins, then focus Enjoy watching!Enjoy watching! Remember as much as you can about legs, Remember as much as you can about legs,

feet, bill, colorsfeet, bill, colors Match up bird you see with bird on your chartMatch up bird you see with bird on your chart

Page 14: Beginning birding

Things to think aboutThings to think about

What’s different about a wading bird? (legs, bill, feet)What’s different about a wading bird? (legs, bill, feet) Did you see any birds near nests?Did you see any birds near nests? Who are the ‘sewing machine’ birds?Who are the ‘sewing machine’ birds? Which birds walk on stilts?Which birds walk on stilts? Which bird has a pretty song but hides in the grass?Which bird has a pretty song but hides in the grass? Which birds make nests out of mud?Which birds make nests out of mud? Which birds stalk fishy prey in the shallows?Which birds stalk fishy prey in the shallows? Which birds put their heads under or dive for food?Which birds put their heads under or dive for food? What do all these guys do for the marsh?What do all these guys do for the marsh?