Wherever we go, there are certain rules we have to follow and when you go bird watching, there are certain things that you also have to comply with. These are designed for your safety, other bird watchers and the birds themselves.
The first and most basic rule is to respect the bird. Yes they are nice to watch but consider for a second if you were the one being watched. Would you like that to happen to you? They may not be caged like in a zoo but just imagine the paparazzi watching your every move.
The second rule of bird watching is not to go to close to the birds. You are in their turf now and like clockwork, these creatures come back to the same place every year. If you cause harm to them or their surroundings, they will no longer come back to this place and you will never see them again.
The third rule of bird watching is to respect the law. Birds especially those that are endangered are protected by the law. If you happen to find a bird that is not in a national park but in someone elses property, you should also ask the permission of the owner if you can enter otherwise you could be arrested for trespassing.
The fourth rule of bird watching is to be familiar with the birds. There are more than 20 different families of birds around the world. They live in different environments and habitats so dont think for one second that you will be able to see all of them when you visit a national park. So you dont waste your time, find out what birds live in the area. Knowing what is there will make it easier for you to spot these birds.
The other option is to get a guide book which is available at the park service. You have to remember that the people there have already done the research so once you get a copy, all you have to do is mark with a pen or pencil what birds you were able to spot during your field trip.
In most cases, you will be able to identify the bird just by listening or looking at them. If you are new to this hobby, it will probably take you a little while longer so consider their behavior, color, silhouette, and voice. After all, some birds look alike when you are watching them through your binoculars or scope.
If you follow these 4 simple rules, you will have a good time bird watching. Dont be surprised if you dont see some of the birds which you know for a fact live in the area because you can always come back the following week to try and spot them.
There are now more people who enjoy bird watching than ever before. While many start out looking out their window, those who want to see other species up close will go to national parks not only where they live but in other states and countries.
Wherever you go, keep in mind the bird watching etiquette because you are simply a guest in their domain and it is best to keep things that way. If you notice something is wrong in their behavior, report it because this is your way of looking after the welfare of the birds.