Bird Watching Gear: Essential Equipment For The Bird Watching Enthusiast

By William Scott

As you pursue the excitement of spotting that melodic warbler or spying the nesting habits of a clever woodpecker, preparation is key. When roaming in the woods or exploring a secluded meadow, it is important to make sure you are equipped with the proper bird watching gear that keeps you protected, prepared, and organized. Just think – how are you to handle and transport all of the needed accompaniments that make bird watching a success?

Without the help of a pair of binoculars, there is no way of catching sight of birds hiding in the security of a tall tree. Binoculars not only enlarge the size of birds, but also allow you to tackle long distances. It is important that any bird watching optics are nice and lightweight, as people can often spend many hours traversing some rough terrain in order to observe birds. While some bird enthusiasts believe that a decent pair of binoculars is the only thing that will carry them through a bird watching adventure, there are many other things to consider that enhances an overall trip.

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In order to enjoy easy access to field guides and other items, a birding vest with sizable pockets is recommended. The typical vest offers about ten pockets of varying sizes to accommodate items, such as lens caps, lip balm, snacks, and insect repellent. When shopping for a vest, make sure to try on several different options in order to purchase the best fit. It is also important to make sure the pockets will accommodate all of your accessories without creating a heavy feel. Also, consider a vest that uses Velcro to seal pockets, which provides a decent level of access to stored items.

A lightweight rain jacket is sometimes needed in order to protect you from the elements when bird watching weather takes a turn for the worse. While birding, don’t forget to bring along a hat. The great outdoors is a great place for a hobby, but it can also be devastating to the skin. A bad sunburn is something that will keep people away from their favorite hobby. Bird watching hats can really make a significant difference in the success of a bird watching trip. A good bird watching hat can keep the sun away from the face and the hair out of the eyes. If a rare bird flies by, bird watchers only have a few seconds sometimes to observe the beautiful creature. The sun blacking out the view or hair in front of the eyes could disrupt a special experience.

If you are an avid bird watcher and enjoy pairing trips with a bit of hiking, carrying along a backpack is suggested. Try to come prepared with meals, bottled water, an extra pair of binoculars, socks, field maps, compass, snacks, and notebooks for recording your encounters – all of which will easily fit into a backpack. Make sure not to over pack this piece of equipment or you will face the risk of becoming tired before you have a chance to finish your anticipated journey.

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