How to become a birder from the comfort of your own home
Have you ever wanted to give birding a try? Well, you can start by enjoying the hobby from your own home right now.
Birding can be a very rewarding hobby to take up.
If you love nature but can't get away to nature reserves or national parks on a regular basis, then simply looking out your window is a great way to start enjoying the activity.
We are extremely lucky in South Africa to have such a great diversity of birdlife to enjoy - even in built-up urban areas.
So there really is no excuse not to become more familiar with the birdlife around you.
Here is what you will need to make the most of birding from the comfort of your own home.
- Bird book
A bird is not just a bird. Just because they all have wings does not mean they are all the same. A bird book will help you identify the different birds in your garden or around your home. The more you study the birds around you, the more you will begin to appreciate their being there. You can also create a checklist to keep track of the birds you have spotted, which can be a fun activity for the whole family to take part in.
- Binoculars
Yes, binoculars can be very expensive, but if your birding is going to be restricted to your space at home, you don't need to buy an expensive pair. Binoculars will help you get a closer look at the birds, which will assist in identifying them. Start off by getting a cheaper pair from the shop or even have a look at places like Gumtree and OLX for a second-hand pair.
- Water and food
If you want to attract more and more birds to your home, setting up a water source for them will do just that. Also having a bird feeder will ensure the birds keep coming back. Sugar water is also excellent for attracting a variety of birds to your home, as just normal water is not appealing to all our flying friends. It is not imperative that you have food and water for the birds in your garden, but it will assist in ticking off a larger variety of birds from your checklist.
- Patience
Birding is not for everyone. You require a lot of patience in either waiting for birds to arrive or waiting for them to reveal themselves properly in order to identify them. But that is what makes the activity so exciting - not knowing what will rock up in your garden next will keep you on the edge of your seat. Just imagine a rare bird popping up in your garden? That is all the reward you will ever need.
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Are you an avid birder? Let us know some interesting sightings you have come across over the years below.