Birding: Connecting Us with Nature, Part 2 of 2

To have a successful birding trip, it’s best to plan well. The first step is to pick the birds you’d like to see and find out where their habitats are. The best birding seasons are spring through fall, a period when most birds breed. The last thing to plan before your exploration begins is logistics. Using public transportation is a brilliant idea, as you can save fuel and parking costs and it reduces your carbon footprint.

While we are enjoying this wonderful feeling of being connected with nature, it’s our responsibility to protect the welfare of our feathered friends and their habitats. Here are some of the birding ethics we should practice: 1. Reduce disturbances: It is safer to keep all disturbances to a minimum, as some bird species, especially the rare and endangered ones, have a low tolerance for loud sounds. 2. Respect their space: Don’t invade a bird’s territory when he or she shows signs of agitation, such as making alarm calls or fleeing. 3. Please don’t litter: Our trash hurts the birds in many ways, directly and indirectly - causing injuries, impeding their digestive system, poisoning them, and making spaces uninhabitable.

If you only remember one thing: Above all else, please always make the birds’ welfare your top priority. Similarly, when you are birding with others, it is important to follow birding etiquette so everyone can enjoy a rewarding connection with nature. Here are some guidelines: 1. Keeps others’ view clear: When you are looking for a suitable position to see a shy bird, please make sure you don’t move in front of someone else and block their line of sight. 2. No trespassing: When trying to locate birds, please mind the boundaries between public and private lands. 3. Be polite: Respect the interest, rights, and skill levels of your fellow birders. To sum up, birding is a great hobby for everyone. By connecting with nature and our cheerful feathered friends, you’ll receive many physical and psychological benefits, and the learning and surprise elements can add a lot of fun and thrills to your life.