5 Great Organizations & Events For Bird Lovers

Informative Resources For Birders

Helpful Equipment For Bird Watching

Whether you're going out to a popular spot or keeping an eye on your own backyard, having the right equipment can be a big help for any birder. Consider putting these items on your checklist:

• A field guide to help you identify species
• Binoculars so you can get a good look from a safe distance
• A hat to keep the sun out of your eyes
• Sturdy hiking boots if you'll be covering tough terrain
• A waterproof notebook where you can record your sightings
• A backpack to keep your equipment together
• Bird food to attract birds to your yard
• A bird feeder, preferably one that keeps squirrels out
• A hummingbird feeder if the tiny pollinators are native to your area

Why Do Birds Sing in the Morning?

5 Tips For Responsibly Viewing Wildlife

According to the U.S. National Park Service

1. Learn about wildlife, viewing sites, and local regulations before you go
2. Use binoculars and zoom lenses to get a good look without getting too close
3. Never touch, handle, or frighten wildlife
4. Store your food securely and properly dispose of trash
5. Always use common sense and stay safe

Why You Should Pay Attention To Your Backyard Birds

In Depth

From corvids to peacocks to seagulls, there are thousands of different bird species, all of them fascinating in their own way. Whether you've been out bird watching countless times or are just starting to learn about these amazing creatures, this list, presented in no particular order, offers a selection of organizations and events where bird fanatics can get their fix.

At #1, Atlanta Audubon Society is an independent chapter of the National Audubon Society in the Peach State. It was first established in 1926 as the Atlanta Bird Club. Its mission is to build places where birds and people thrive by combining serious conservation and education with activities that build community and foster the joy of birding.

Conservation efforts include programs combating climate change, establishing wildlife sanctuaries, and promoting avian habitat restoration. Atlanta Audubon sponsors a variety of education initiatives, for young and old alike. Master Birder courses provide an introduction to ornithology and equip participants with a variety of relevant skills. There are also field trips and other opportunities for avian enthusiasts.

There are also field trips and other opportunities for avian enthusiasts.

#2 is Vancouver Bird Week, a series of events to celebrate the avian inhabitants of British Columbia. It was inspired by World Migratory Bird Day, a United Nations-sponsored initiative that recognizes the importance of our flying friends as key indicators of environmental health. Over the course of the week, there are workshops, walks, talks, exhibitions, and lectures across the Lower Mainland area. Most events are free.

Among the educational resources made available in conjunction with VBW is an online selection of featured birds that can be found in the area. Highlighted species include the Pelagic Cormorant, a slender, upright water bird; the Hooded Merganser, a small diving duck; and the American Coot. The organization behind the event also publishes a brochure on birding in the area.

The #3 entry, Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, is dedicated to environmental preservation through public education and the conservation of birds of prey and wildlife in their natural habitat. Based in the town of Lucas, Texas, it's named after the tallgrass prairie that once covered more than 23,500 square miles of the state from the Red River to San Antonio.

Based in the town of Lucas, Texas, it's named after the tallgrass prairie that once covered more than 23,500 square miles of the state from the Red River to San Antonio.

Blackland offers rescue services for eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, osprey, kites, and others. The group maintains a rehabilitation facility designed to admit, treat, and release raptors safely and as quickly as possible. Educational and outreach programs serve to introduce children and adults to the world of birds of prey. The organization's resident birds are treated as ambassadors for their species.

For #4, we have the Biggest Week In American Birding, a festival held in northwest Ohio that is presented by Black Swamp Bird Observatory. Taking place in an area known as the "Warbler Capital of the World," the ten-day event is meant to build support for bird conservation by inspiring appreciation and enjoyment of the animal class and creating awareness of the region's unique advantages for spotting its species.

Those behind the festival believe that connecting people to the joys of birding is the first step in building support for conservation, since people care more about the things they love. It backs initiatives to involve children in nature, commemorative fundraising stamps, and campaigns to keep cats indoors and eliminate bird-threatening litter.

Those behind the festival believe that connecting people to the joys of birding is the first step in building support for conservation, since people care more about the things they love.

Finishing up our list at #5 is Elmley, a national nature reserve and family farm located on an island in the Thames, an hour from London. The estate covers 3,300 acres and serves as a site for special events, luxury tourist lodging, and the enjoyment of nature.

Elmley is also a significant fresh water grazing marsh wetland known for its populations of over-wintering and breeding birds, as well as hare, water voles, rare invertebrates, and flora. The area is a feeding table for waders and wildfowl throughout the year, with conservation efforts focused on breeding waders, particularly the lapwing and redshank.