| It's all very well being kitted out with cutting edge | | | | a rarity without taking this to obsession level. |
| binoculars, telescope, tripod and the latest field | | | | Remember that rarities are rare, so always |
| guide, but all that costly birding gear will do you | | | | consider a more common candidate when trying |
| little good if you can't get close enough to a bird | | | | to identify a particular bird. |
| to see any of its plumage details, or if it flits | | | | Preparation. If it is possible to plan your route |
| away before you even clutch your binoculars. | | | | beforehand then do so to avoid looking into the |
| That's where birding fieldcraft comes in: an | | | | sun as much as possible. That means taking into |
| important but all too often neglected aspect of | | | | account access routes and times of day; it's a |
| modern birding that could greatly improve your | | | | simple task that at certain sites can deliver large |
| birding success. | | | | rewards in terms of the quality of your birding |
| As birders come in almost as many forms as the | | | | experience. Wearing the right clothing is also |
| birds themselves it seems fair to start with what | | | | important. Think about sunhats, waterproofs, |
| would appear to the more initiated as rather banal | | | | climbing boots or Wellingtons, but also ask |
| advice. However, based on personal observations | | | | yourself about colour and rustle. Bright red |
| of the birdwatching fauna it should not go | | | | jackets do not blend in with most environments, |
| unmentioned: binocular cases are for the home | | | | and if you rustle or swish with every step you |
| only! Whatever reasons you may have for | | | | won't be able to hear the birds but they will most |
| wanting to keep your binoculars in their case | | | | certainly hear you. |
| when out in the field (avoiding knocks, keeping | | | | Get used to listening to birds, not just looking. |
| them clean, looking trendy, etc.) this practice is | | | | Most birds can be identified on song or calls alone |
| contrary and even pernicious to your reason for | | | | and if you master local bird songs and calls you |
| being out in the field in the first place. Binoculars | | | | will be able to know exactly what is around you |
| are a vital tool for any birder and they should be | | | | without having to spot every single bird. The |
| ready for use at all times. Remember the bird | | | | vocalisation learning process is a long one, which |
| won't usually wait around for you to fumble with | | | | can be helped along by listening to CDs, |
| straps, lids and lens caps. If what worries you is | | | | downloading birdsong and calls from the Internet, |
| keeping your binoculars dry in wet weather then | | | | and most of all by going into the field and listening |
| get a rain guard or grip them under your jacket in | | | | hard. Long the process may be, but it is also |
| Napoleonic style, but do not keep them sealed in | | | | extremely rewarding. |
| a velvet-lined binocular case! | | | | Have a notebook and be prepared to take field |
| Essentially, though, a birder's level of fieldcraft will | | | | notes, recording details such as place, date, |
| be a result of his/her attitudes, preparation and | | | | companions names, species and numbers |
| resourcefulness. For the sake of space the latter | | | | detected. A notebook is a very handy tool when |
| aspect is best left for a later moment. What is | | | | faced with a possible rarity, and also makes for |
| meant here by attitudes is the birder's | | | | interesting reading at a later date. |
| preconceived ideas that lead him to act in a | | | | Listen again. Be an active listener by asking |
| certain way when out in the field. Preparation | | | | yourself if you really are listening. There's almost |
| concerns things such as clothing and other birding | | | | always a bird calling or singing around you, have |
| gear, planning and perception. | | | | you heard it it and identified it? |
| Attitudes. A birder who sees a flock of gulls and | | | | Get to know your birds, including their habitat |
| says "Ah, a flock of gulls" and moves on is | | | | requirements and selection. You will then be able |
| missing out on an important birding experience. | | | | to come up with such gems as "This looks ideal |
| Faced with a flock of gulls, ducks or waders | | | | for a (bird name)," as you survey a new |
| numbering anywhere from 30 to 3,000 the keen | | | | landscape, raise your binoculars and instantly set |
| and knowledgeable birder would fidget or twitch in | | | | eyes on the bird you have just mentioned. At |
| response to a sudden surge of adrenaline. Birds of | | | | such times its hard not to swell with gratification. |
| a feather flock together for sure, but he knows | | | | You are allowed to wear any kind of silly hat that |
| that the average such flock offers opportunities | | | | you like. There is no firm evidence that even the |
| of finding birds with different plumages, moult | | | | wackiest designs have any influence on your |
| stages, different species and, with a lot of luck, a | | | | success or failure as a birder, although it really is |
| rarity. | | | | better if your ultimate choice is suited to local |
| Rarities and attitudes towards them could occupy | | | | weather conditions! |
| a category all of their own but a basic message | | | | One more thing: start now - what's that bird |
| would be to bear in mind the possibility of finding | | | | calling outside? |