Time of Day. A myth that still
hangs around is that you have to get up at the crack of dawn to spot birds.
While there is no doubt that the hour following sunrise has the most bird
activity, you can still spot many, many birds at other times of day. (But
mid-afternoon is usually the low point.) I like the hour just before sunset.
Bird activity depends on species, weather, food availability, cloud
conditions, season, and humidity. It’s also affected greatly by
other activities going on in the birds’ life, such as nesting, feeding and migrating. In
north Texas,
keep in mind that birds want to stay out of the heat just like humans do, so
birdwatching at a relatively cool time of day is wise.
Search the
Edges. The edges, like where a grassy meadow turns into a forest,
or the shoreline of a pond or stream, are where birds are most active and
plentiful. These edges are almost always busier than (for example) the middle
of a meadow.
Birds
like a nearby source of food and water, but they also like the safety of nearby
foliage to hide in. So I like to focus patiently on a small clearing of about
10 or 20 square feet, waiting for a bird to dart in for a scrap of food or sip
of water.
Search the
Shadows. Almost all birds like to hide themselves in
the shadows of foliage. They are trying not to be visible to predators like
hawks and cats. Look carefully in shadows, focusing on any movement or flash of
color. Good binoculars will help a lot, since the optical quality lets
you see things well in low lights.
Check out Bare Branches. Sometimes, birds aren’t
very worried about predators. Instead they perch on a bare branch (where their
view is unobstructed by leaves) waiting for their turn to bathe in a puddle or
for an open perch on a feeder. Some species like to sit on a bare branch or
utility wire, and scan the adjacent area for something tasty to eat.
Look near moving water. Birds need water every
day, so they are drawn to it like kids
are drawn to ice cream. When the water is making noise (gurgling, splashing,
dripping, misting) it’s even more compelling. I’m not talking about mighty
rivers and dramatic waterfalls, birds just want fountains, birdbaths,
sprinklers, even leaky water faucets.
We set up a water pipe in our yard to drip regularly into
a shallow birdbath. Even that tiny sound draws birds like flies to roadkill.
Fill feeders with fresh seed. Birds hate stale,
dried out seed. Some seed is even stale
at the moment you buy it, but it looks just fine to humans. Birds know
instantly however - so be certain the seed you use is totally fresh. That usually means not getting it at a big-box store or grocery store.
Wear a boring color of clothes. If you really want to blend in with the
surroundings, wear clothes that aren’t the least bit flashy. Hawaiian shirts are out! Solid tan, dark blue or dark green
is good. Camouflage is extreme! Even white will spook birds (the undersides of
most hawks are white) because you’ll look like a huge predator.
Be part of their world. Remember all the things your mother told
you: be quiet, don’t make sudden moves,
and be very patient. Become a part of nature, not an intruder.
