Bird watching is one of the fastest growing interests in the world. If you're buying for a bird watcher, here's a primer on ideas for bird watching gifts.
Bird Watching Gifts
Bird watching may seem the simplest of tasks. In truth, there are lots of gadgets, which gives you an opportunity to find great bird watching gifts
1. Binocular Pack Straps - Where you find bird watchers, you'll find binoculars. Binoculars are the staple equipment item of all birders. The problem, however, is binoculars have a habit of flopping around your body when walking and putting a strain on your neck. Any bird watcher would love to find a solution and binocular pack straps are the answer. They look like backpack straps and snuggly hold binoculars to your body while you walk. Brunton is a great brand and you can expect to pay $30 or so.
2. The Birder's Handbook - The Birder's Handbook is a great companion piece for any birder. Over 600 species are covered and all can be found in North America. This book is an excellent list for bird watching enthusiasts to compare their life lists against. The list price of the book is $20.00 and you can find it at any only bookstore.
3. Bird Cams - If backyard bird watching is the primary bird watching activity of the person your giving gifts to, bird cams are great gifts. The bird cam sits inside of the bird house and lets birders see the birds in action. A fascinating view of a bird's life. Night-Owl and NovaBird make solid cams. You can expect to pay $80 to $300 for a solid cam.
4. Nomad Bird Watching Journals - A little self-promotion. Nomad Bird Watching Journals are great gifts for bird watching enthusiast. Whether they enjoy bird watching tours, backyard birding or bird watching vacations, these journals let bird watchers keep track of sightings, conditions, locations, people met and impressions of the birding experience. A great Christmas gift, you can see the journal by clicking the link in the byline of this article and expect to pay $25 for the journal with case.
Bird watching is sweeping the world. Now you know what to buy bird watching enthusiasts for the holidays.
About the author: Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com/bird_watchers.cfm - makers of writing journals. Bird watching journals make great Christmas gifts for him or her.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
A Five Minute Crash Course On Birdwatching For Bluebirds
Regardless of how you’ve discovered the pleasure for birdwatching and why you’re interested in searching for bluebirds in particular, ignoring birdwatching basics will get you and your binoculars nowhere. If you wish to be able to view bluebirds the soonest time possible, read this crash course on birdwatching for bluebirds. In five minutes, you’ll graduate from a kindergarten birdwatcher to birdwatcher extraordinaire!
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Birds won’t flock to an area where the noise level is considerably high. If you wish to have the pleasure of being able to observe how birds act in their natural habitat, you need to learn how to keep noise and disruptions to a minimum. Just think of birds as grouchy old neighbors, and you’ll know what to do.
THE KEEN EYE SEES BEST
If you’re interested in birdwatching for bluebirds in particular, you need to make sure that you know everything there is to know about bluebirds. Increasing your knowledge of bluebirds will make it easier for you to quickly and easily identify the bluebird from the rest of the flock.
When studying bluebirds, your study should have the following focal points:
Silhouette – Familiarize yourself with the outline of bluebirds.
Plumage or Appearance – Secondly, try to memorize the unique physical characteristics of bluebirds. Know the shape of its head and beak and the color and pattern of its feathers.
Behavior – Research the behavioral patterns of bluebirds; learn what they do when hunting for food, protecting themselves from being prey, taking care of their young, and when trying to attract a mate.
Call – Learn how to distinguish the call of bluebirds from the chirping of other avians.
Habitat – Lastly, learn where bluebirds are most likely to live and if they migrate to other places during certain times of the year.
BIRDWATCHING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
To facilitate your viewing quest for bluebirds, make sure that you have the following handy:
Binoculars – 20/20 vision is unfortunately not powerful enough to be able to observe birds at a great distance. There will come a certain point in time that you need binoculars to help you attain your objective.
Log Book – Don’t rely on your brain and memory to recall every minute of your trip in perfect detail. Why take the risk of forgetting something pertinent when you don’t have to? All you need is an old-fashioned notebook and pencil or pen to keep accurate and comprehensive records of your observations.
Food and Water (Yours) – So you won’t miss out on anything
Food and Water (Theirs) – So you can lure bluebirds closer to you.
Don’t be blue if it takes you quite some time to search for those bluebirds!
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Birds won’t flock to an area where the noise level is considerably high. If you wish to have the pleasure of being able to observe how birds act in their natural habitat, you need to learn how to keep noise and disruptions to a minimum. Just think of birds as grouchy old neighbors, and you’ll know what to do.
THE KEEN EYE SEES BEST
If you’re interested in birdwatching for bluebirds in particular, you need to make sure that you know everything there is to know about bluebirds. Increasing your knowledge of bluebirds will make it easier for you to quickly and easily identify the bluebird from the rest of the flock.
When studying bluebirds, your study should have the following focal points:
Silhouette – Familiarize yourself with the outline of bluebirds.
Plumage or Appearance – Secondly, try to memorize the unique physical characteristics of bluebirds. Know the shape of its head and beak and the color and pattern of its feathers.
Behavior – Research the behavioral patterns of bluebirds; learn what they do when hunting for food, protecting themselves from being prey, taking care of their young, and when trying to attract a mate.
Call – Learn how to distinguish the call of bluebirds from the chirping of other avians.
Habitat – Lastly, learn where bluebirds are most likely to live and if they migrate to other places during certain times of the year.
BIRDWATCHING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
To facilitate your viewing quest for bluebirds, make sure that you have the following handy:
Binoculars – 20/20 vision is unfortunately not powerful enough to be able to observe birds at a great distance. There will come a certain point in time that you need binoculars to help you attain your objective.
Log Book – Don’t rely on your brain and memory to recall every minute of your trip in perfect detail. Why take the risk of forgetting something pertinent when you don’t have to? All you need is an old-fashioned notebook and pencil or pen to keep accurate and comprehensive records of your observations.
Food and Water (Yours) – So you won’t miss out on anything
Food and Water (Theirs) – So you can lure bluebirds closer to you.
Don’t be blue if it takes you quite some time to search for those bluebirds!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Feed Birds NOT Squirrels using Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
It happens without fail, just as soon as you have put fresh food in your bird feeder you look outside to see that you have an unwanted invader, somehow a squirrel has found a way to get his greedy little paws on the treats in your bird feeder. While some people think squirrels are cute, avid bird lovers know that they are not so cute when they are hanging off your bird feeder and stealing the food you have put out for your invited, feathered guests. Squirrels are truly the bird-lover's garden nemesis, but there are ways that you can deter them and make your yard a birds-only sanctuary again. Here are some tips to help you outsmart these fuzzy little invaders:
o Buy squirrel-proof feeders. This can be tricky, because many of the so-called squirrel-proof feeders on the market turn out to be a small challenge to a determined rodent. Ask at your local home improvement or garden center for recommendations for the most effective products. In general, bird feeders that spin tend to work well, with the added entertainment value of watching dizzy squirrels stagger across the yard wondering what just happened to them
o Make it slippery. A popular feeder type is the feeder hung from a bent metal "shepherd's hook." Many people believe that squirrels cannot climb such a small pole, but they are mistaken, squirrels can and will climb almost anything to get a meal. One way to deter them from your metal pole is to spray it with nonstick cooking spray. The squirrels won't be able to get a good grip, and will slide right back down to the ground.
o Baffle them. No, this doesn't mean that you amaze the squirrels with a magic trick, but rather that you install a baffle, or barrier around the feeder. Baffles can be made of metal, like roof flashing, or plastic, like a large, slippery kitchen bowl. You can also purchase a squirrel baffle from a hardware store.
o Make them walk the high wire. You can also suspend your bird feeder in the middle of a wire that connects from your home to a nearby tree or fence. String the wire with whatever round things you can find pieces of PVC pipe, old soda bottles, cans, etc. Squirrels will lose their footing before they ever make it to the bird feeder, again harmless to the squirrels, but amusing to anyone who watches them fly off the high wire.
o If you can't beat them… Ultimately squirrels are coming after your food because they are hungry. If nothing else works, consider installing a feeder just for the squirrels. If you stock it with tasty squirrel treats like peanuts and corn, they might just be full enough to leave your bird feeders alone.
By: www.yourbirdoasis.com
o Buy squirrel-proof feeders. This can be tricky, because many of the so-called squirrel-proof feeders on the market turn out to be a small challenge to a determined rodent. Ask at your local home improvement or garden center for recommendations for the most effective products. In general, bird feeders that spin tend to work well, with the added entertainment value of watching dizzy squirrels stagger across the yard wondering what just happened to them
o Make it slippery. A popular feeder type is the feeder hung from a bent metal "shepherd's hook." Many people believe that squirrels cannot climb such a small pole, but they are mistaken, squirrels can and will climb almost anything to get a meal. One way to deter them from your metal pole is to spray it with nonstick cooking spray. The squirrels won't be able to get a good grip, and will slide right back down to the ground.
o Baffle them. No, this doesn't mean that you amaze the squirrels with a magic trick, but rather that you install a baffle, or barrier around the feeder. Baffles can be made of metal, like roof flashing, or plastic, like a large, slippery kitchen bowl. You can also purchase a squirrel baffle from a hardware store.
o Make them walk the high wire. You can also suspend your bird feeder in the middle of a wire that connects from your home to a nearby tree or fence. String the wire with whatever round things you can find pieces of PVC pipe, old soda bottles, cans, etc. Squirrels will lose their footing before they ever make it to the bird feeder, again harmless to the squirrels, but amusing to anyone who watches them fly off the high wire.
o If you can't beat them… Ultimately squirrels are coming after your food because they are hungry. If nothing else works, consider installing a feeder just for the squirrels. If you stock it with tasty squirrel treats like peanuts and corn, they might just be full enough to leave your bird feeders alone.
By: www.yourbirdoasis.com
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