Eco-Features

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is a growing sport. To start birding, begin with birds near home. A good way to start would be to acquire a bird feeder and a guide book. Many cities and regions have bird checklists that can be used as a record of the species you have seen and also to narrow your search in your field guide. Once you've mastered your garden or backyard birds, you might want to purchase a pair of binoculars. As a general rule, spend as much as you feel you can afford on binoculars. Regarding binoculars there are various powers of magnification, such as 8x40 or 7x35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the width in millimeters of the light gathering lens. The wider lenses gather more light at dawn or dusk. Generally your first binocular should be between 7x35 & 8x50. Birdwatching can be a very thrilling experience. To gain the most from your birdwatching try joining a club or taking a nature course. Enjoy!

A great website called Avibase contains information and maps for all 10,000 birds and 22,000 subspecies of birds in the world, plus several extinct and ancient fossil species. The site also offers searching tools for internet sites and images, as well as links to other
birding sites. Bird checklists for over 500 countries and regions.

Looking for bird checklists, birding groups or anything related to birds click on to Bird Links to the World http://www.bsc-eoc.org/links/links.jsp

Bird Field Guides

For Bird Guide Reviews Reference

Ecobeetle has brought together some sites to get you up to speed on the types of birds that live alongside us and some great places to visit.

Japanese virtual and eco-nature birdwatching site.