Begin Birding On Your Travels

Birds are the perfect travellers, able to go anywhere with just a flap of their wings. This also means they can be spotted anywhere, from the Arctic of Spitsbergen to the hot streets of Mumbai, adding a whole other dimension to any trip. Often, it’s just a lack of know-how (or equipment) that keeps us from taking an interest, but bird watching on your travels is a lot easier to start than you think…

What do I need?

Many think birding is an art that takes years to hone, but you can pick up the basics easily.

In fact, there’s nothing stopping you from starting either at home or on your next trip.

“The most essential piece of kit is your natural awareness,” says birding expert David Lindo (theurbanbirderworld.com). “Train yourself to stop occasionally and tune yourself into the nature around you.”

Once you’ve got a keen eye, and developed an ear for your surroundings, you’ll start noticing more. But your own optics can only take you so far. The skittish nature of birds means you’re never guaranteed a close-up glimpse, so you’re going to need a pair of binoculars. And thankfully, you don’t need to remortgage your house for a decent pair.

“There are some remarkably good pairs for less than £150,” explains Matt Merritt, editor of Bird watching magazine. “Even for £300, some extra-low dispersion binoculars [which improve focus at long distances] can match the optics of £2,000 models.”

Good, compact models can be found for your travels, too. But don’t scrimp too much, as inferior models can potentially damage your eyes. Try to road test before buying, or chat to experienced birders for their opinion.

A field guide (many also come as apps for your tablet or phone) for the area in which you’re travelling is also a useful research tool and will become your go-to when in the wild.

Learn the techniques