Birding Essentials

Term 1 Topics

Birds and Habitats in Autumn and Winter

• Parks and Gardens
• Deciduous Woodland - Coniferous plantations don't tend to have many species
• Freshwater Habitats - reservoirs, lakes and rivers 
• Seashore - rocky or sandy
• Estuaries and Saltmarsh - the most productive area in winter

All these areas of different habitat atttact a large and varied bird life. Knowing which habitat suits certain species is a key to successful birding.  In addition, a knowledge of which species are likley to be in a given habitat at each season of the year is vital.

Procedure for Success

1. Find a place to go!
2. Check the weather conditions, especially the wind directions
3. Check tide times and heights (if applicable)
4. Know what habitat to expect and the likely species
5. Get a species list if possible
6. Identify your target birds

Bird Identification

To identify a bird you should ask yourself:

• Where ?
• When ?
• What habitat ?

In addition you should consider:

• Bare Part Colour (BPC) - bill, beak and legs
• Wing colouration
• Shape and structure

Quick Tips for Owl Watching

1. Owls are most active at dusk and after dark, so stretch your walks out into the evening or go out to specifically look for them on still evenings
2. If you are travelling by night, your vehicle headlights can pick out owls perched at the roadside or hunting along the roadside verges
3. Make sure it's dry - Owls avoid hunting in the rain because their feathers are not waterproof.
4. Use your ears - owls are very vocal in the breeding season, so you should be able to tell what species are near you.
5. Look out for Owl pellets in a pile under trees and in barns - a sure sign that Owls are using a spot.

(c) Peter Baron 2012