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Why bird? It’s one of life’s pleasures.
Birds are colorful, lively, and (relatively) easy to observe as they go about their daily business. Whether you watch them at your backyard feeder, or go out looking for them in a park, birding is just a lot of fun. An estimated 85 million Americans are birders, and they can’t all be wrong! It connects you with the natural world. In our increasingly urbanized, technological world, birding is an antidote to “nature deficit disorder.” It gets us out there. It reminds us that there is still a natural world all around us, right at our doorstep, and that it is something to be treasured. It’s green.
We can’t help but be aware of the environment these days, and of our impact on it. Birding is a great way to start learning about some of the effects of climate change as well as other changes we humans have brought on the world, from degraded water quality to habitat fragmentation. And the more we know, the better positioned we are to help ourselves and the environment. Interested in birding but don’t know where to start? Join us for a bird walk at a local park – beginners are always welcome. Bring a pair of binoculars and your sense of adventure - depending on the park you visit and the season, you might be lucky enough to see anything from tundra swans and bald eagles, to woodcocks and wood warblers. The northern Virginia region is home to a wide variety of bird habitats and seasonal bird populations, as well as many knowledgeable birders who will be happy to help you get started and give you advice. And any birder will tell you - there’s nothing like actually getting out there! Check out the area's birding hotspots.
Be sure to sign up for a beginning birding workshop through our LEAAP adult education program. ASNV LEAAP classes and workshops also cover topics ranging from ornithology, to geology, to wildflowers. Backyard birding One great way to start is by becoming better acquainted with your local, backyard birds. A bird feeder can be a good way to attract birds to your home, and give you more opportunities for observing them at closer range. You might be surprised at the number of different bird species that come to visit if you put out the right kinds of foods. The Internet has a wealth of information - on types of seed, feeder locations, discouraging squirrels, and more. Check the:
Another way to attract birds is to create landscaping that will provide birds with needed food, water, and shelter. The Audubon at Home in Northern Virginia program can provide you with information and advice on “naturescaping,” including native plants, water management, and reducing your use of pesticides. Bird houses provide nesting sites and shelter, and can also help you bring birds into your yard. One size does not fit all, however – a nest box meant for a house wren won’t be good for a screech owl – and you will want to do some planning to make sure you are providing the right kind of nest box and situating it appropriately for the birds you’d like to invite in.
Please remember to clean your feeders and birdhouses regularly, so as to avoid spreading diseases in the bird population.
The many bird stores in our area, including the ones below, can also give you information and advice on feeders and nest boxes. Looking for field guides and other resources to help with your birding? Check out books, guides and more here. Local birding hot spots The following are in-depth PDF fact sheets on hot birding spots here in Northern Virginia. Many thanks to Jay Hadlock for his hard work in compiling this great information! Birding away from home Planning a birding vacation this summer in hopes of seeing species that never show themselves in the mid-Atlantic region? Or just hoping to find one day to bird during a trip to visit relatives in some distant state? Birding.com is a portal providing a variety of links, where you can get lost for hours if you let yourself. To plan your travel, try clicking on the "Where to Bird" link on the right-hand navigation menu. Scroll down a bit and select the state (or country) that you plan to visit. Here you'll find links to the Web sites of birding organizations within the state, where you can perhaps arrange to join a scheduled bird walk or make contact with local birders. You will also find lists of birding hot spots for each state, again with links that provide detailed information about the spot and what you might expect to find there. To book a commercial tour, Birding.com has a list of companies that will take you anywhere from Assateague to Antarctica. And if you just want to get lost on a virtual birding tour, Birding.com provides a list of what it judges to be the "Top 25 Birding Web Sites," with links to each.
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