In a nutshell:
The chance to sit and stare at birds for hours without being accused of being lazy!


Tell me more!
Also know as birding, bird watching is an ideal pastime you can take part in on your own, with the family or with a group of like-minded people. Suitable for all ages, whether it's sitting in your own garden or venturing out to the local nature reserve for the day, it's a great way to really see the nature that happens all around us.

 
 

The stuff you need
In the absence of your own telescopic eyesight, the main piece of equipment you need is a pair of binoculars! Alongside this, have a bird guide to hand to identify each species you spot and maybe even a bird watching diary to record sightings of different species. The excitement of spotting something new can be matched with the thrill of looking back through the diary to see just how many different kinds of birds you have seen since starting your new hobby.

 

Cool things you can do
Bird watching can be enjoyed at its most basic level but can
 evolve into an interest in other aspects. Courses, workshops, talks, walks and events about birds can also include other forms of wildlife such as bugs and insects (great for keeping the kids interested!), other winged creatures such as moths and bats, wildlife photography, sketching and drawing, pressing flowers and exotic bird species from around the world. There are a host of local, regional and national events to boost your bird knowledge and introduce you to other enthusiasts.
 
 
People in the know!
rspb.org.uk
birddiary.co.uk
birdsofbritain.co.uk
britishbirdlovers.co.uk
lcegroup.co.uk

Interested in this? Why not check out camping, cycling and mountain biking, geocaching, orienteering, outdoor photography, walking and hiking

Book a holiday! Ramblers Worldwide have over 250 holidays in over 90 countries.

Buy a camera! from the London Camera Exchange

Image courtesy of Someguy1221

Have a giggle with this amazing African Grey Parrot!

Watch this moon walking Red-Capped Manakin!