Birding has become one of the most popular and exciting activities in the world. The popularity of this fun hobby finds tens of thousands of bird-loving enthusiasts traveling all over the United States, and even the world to see as many beautiful birds as they can. As a bird enthusiast myself, I can speak from experience when I say that it really helps to have a concise plan when it comes to preparing for a birding trip.
You’ll need to sit down and either type or write a good “Birding Trip Checklist.” This list will be invaluable to you as you plan each phase of your birding trip or vacation. Your list should cover several categories. First, decide upon a location for your bird-watching excursion. Or, look at several locations if you are planning an entire vacation around birding. When you reach a decision as to where you are going to do your birding, make sure you have maps that indicate where the best bird-watching spots are along the way. You can utilize the internet for this by searching on any major search engine for bird watching locations in the area(s) that you are planning to visit. Keep these maps handy in your vehicle so that you aren’t ‘scrambling’ to figure out directions once you are on the road. If your trip will take you across several state borders, make sure you also have a good traveling map of each state you are going to visit. No need to get you and your party lost while looking for birding spots!
An equipment checklist is essential, so after you have determined where you are going, prepare yourself an equipment list and check off each item as you pack it into your vehicle. Your lists will vary depending on what kind of bird-watcher you are, but the following items will probably appear on most birder lists: Long-range binoculars or monocular, tripod, small field glasses, bird species checklist, bird field guide (Petersen’s or National Geographic make nice ones), digital camera (preferably one that records sound, so you can capture some nice bird songs), memory sticks or chips, extra battery or batteries (fully charged, if lithium-ion), battery charger, inverter for your vehicle cigarette lighter, this way you can charge batteries periodically. Also bring several pens and some note pads just in case! Bring some sealable plastic bags, just in case you encounter inclement weather along your route. I have found that it is a good idea to keep a field guide of bird species in my vehicle at all times, along with a digital camera that is easily accessible to you, because you never know when you are going to see something worth stopping for.
Next, it would be prudent to create a clothing and safety gear list. This list should include the clothing you may need, such as a long-sleeved sweater or sweat shirt, a rain poncho or trench coat, a baseball cap, visor, or other hat, some blue-blocker sunglasses, a blanket to sit on, insect repellent and sunscreen, comfortable athletic shoes or hiking boots, and an extra pair of jeans or sweat pants. Bring a backpack for supplies, and some plastic grocery bags or garbage bags to pack your trash out in. Incidentally, I do not recommend wearing shorts for birding trips. While it is nice to have some shorts handy if you are in a warm place, I personally have discovered that weather can change quickly sometimes, bugs have no mercy near water’s edges, and sitting on the ground can be uncomfortable in shorts. Plus, if you find it necessary to hike through some thorny underbrush, long pants can really protect you from scratches and other injuries. Jeans or sweat pants work best for birding trips, I’ve found! Make sure you have a good first-aid kit with you. Take your cell phone, but turn it off while you are in the bird-watching area. Just have one with you for emergencies. Carry a walking stick for long hikes. It isn’t a bad idea to bring a flashlight and some batteries for it, just in case it gets very dark out in the wilderness, and you find yourself having to search for your vehicle! It is common to have to park your vehicle fairly long distances away from wildlife and bird viewing areas, so keep in mind that you may need a flashlight to find your way back once the sun has long been set.
Finally, decide what you are going to bring along for snacks. Fill some plastic water bottles that have good lids with water or other beverages. If you are going where it is forecasted to have warm weather, freeze your full water or beverage bottles the night before and take the frozen bottles in your pack. These bottles really help to keep things cool. Make a few sandwiches and take some snacks and fruit. Be sure to keep an empty plastic bag inside your pack for wrappers and garbage so you don’t leave any litter in the environment. Stay away from taking cans and bottles, as they are heavy, inconvenient, and difficult to dispose of in areas that may not have trash or recycling receptacles. Keep it simple and you’ll have a lot more fun and not much to worry about.
There are many great locations dedicated to bird preservation, bird reserves, and wildlife refuges that are sure to satisfy every individual taste. Check the internet for popular birding sites and scenic wildlife viewing areas. You’ll be amazed at how many wonderful refuges there are out there for your birding pleasure. Some internet sites give you a great deal of information about what bird species can be found where, maps showing how to get into and out of birding areas, what other attractions are near the vicinity of the bird-watching areas, and so on. Additionally, there are even internet websites dedicated to nothing but birding, and will show you how to plan your entire vacation around bird-watching.
Have fun, be safe, and enjoy many hours and days of bird-watching on your trip!
