| Bird watching or birding is a very popular hobby that | | | | identify who is coming to visit.Equipment used for |
| includes the observation and study of birds.Because | | | | birding includes binoculars,a blank notebook, and one |
| visual observation of birds is complemented with | | | | or more good field guides. |
| auditory observation, the term "birding" is more | | | | Field guides are books with pictures and descriptions |
| accurate.Birding is the second most popular outdoor | | | | of the birds.A field guide shows birds of just one |
| activity in America, second only to gardening as the | | | | country, or one region of a country, or one habitat. |
| number-one recreation. | | | | Binoculars are described by two numbers: 8x32 for |
| For many people bird watching is an opportunity to | | | | example.The first number tells you the magnification |
| feel close to nature.They also enjoy the relaxation | | | | power of the binoculars.The second tells you the size |
| and peacefulness by watching birds.Some | | | | of the objective lens at the end of the binoculars in |
| birders,however,will travel long distances just to see | | | | millimeters.Most bird watchers think that 7 or 8 |
| a rare bird.These birders are known as | | | | power is about right for most birding. |
| twitchers.Twitching is popular in Britain and several | | | | The next step is to broaden your birding experience |
| other European countries. | | | | beyond your own backyard.Plan a trip to a bird |
| Most birders start out by watching and attracting | | | | sanctuary, national park and other locations where |
| birds to their own backyards.Bird feeding can benefit | | | | you can see birds in large numbers.Wherever you |
| birds and also provide great bird watching.You can | | | | go,never harm the birds and always respect other |
| attract a variety of interesting birds to your yard by | | | | birders. |
| selecting and offering the right kinds of food. The | | | | And don't forget to join a local birding club.Clubs |
| common types of food offered in bird feeding are | | | | organize field trips,show films of good bird watching |
| seeds,nectar,suet and fruit.Early morning is the best | | | | destinations and some of them are involved in local |
| time for bird watching since many birds are then | | | | environmental projects. Also visit your local library and |
| searching most actively for food. | | | | check out books on birds and ornithology. |
| Once you start feeding birds, you'll probably want to | | | | |