As we move through the second stage of the governments roadmap out of lockdown more and more places are beginning to open up. With this comes the possibility of enjoy the great outdoors and all the delights that nature brings us.
Bird watching is one such activity and it is not as complicated as one would initially think. First, it is important to know exactly what kind of birds you would like to observe. In this case, whether they are singing birds, seed eaters, or other types. You might want to see birds that are native to your local area or perhaps some that are more exotic. Once you have chosen your birds, you will then need to find out where you would like to view them.
Wild Bird Watching
If you choose to see what birds can be found in your local area you will want to find a location that is quiet and away from lots of traffic and people. You should make sure that you take a nice comfortable seat with you, some refreshments and perhaps a pair of binoculars. It is worth checking some bird guides to find out the type of birds that are in your local area so you can be sure what you are looking to for and the times of day when they are likely to appear.
In addition to knowing what time the birds would be out in the wild, it is also helpful to know where to find them. Since there are literally thousands of bird species spread out over a wide geographic area, you should make sure that you are able to find at least some of the species that you are interested in. The internet is an invaluable resource for bird watching tips, but if you would like to enjoy the experience even more, it would be best to bring along your own equipment.
There are many resources online that can help you identify bird species that you may be unfamiliar with, and they also provide photos of what they look like. If you are interested in bird watching in a particular region, you may be able to find a local bird club that meets regularly. Joining up with a local club will give you access to members who share your interest. You may also want to consider joining a bird watching group online. The beauty of being part of an online community is that you can easily post questions and get answers from fellow bird lovers in the world.
Bird Parks
If you want to be sure of seeing some birds and perhaps some of a more exotic breed, you might want to consider visiting one of the many bird parks around the country. At these sites you will be able to enjoy the natural surroundings and the variety of birds to be seen. There are two incredible bird parks close to our Orchard Park location.
Slimbridge – A WWT location, where you can see a variety of birds and wetland nature. It is open with pre-booking essential to ensure that Covid regulations can be adhered to. The WWT was set up by Sir Peter Scott and there are a number of sites across the UK that you can visit that all have the same ethos of providing safe havens for birds, wildlife and people to come and sustain beautiful wetland areas and enjoy the delights that these bring.
Birdland – located in Bourton-on-the-Water this bird park offers everything from wild birds through to flamingos and King Penguins and Humboldts. It has everything the budding bird watcher could want in a day out. Again pre-booking is essential.
So, grab your binoculars and head out in the wilds of nature and see what you can find.