New to Birding (Birdwatching) by Sebastian Casarez

New to birding can sometimes be a little overwhelming! Trying to remember all the bird names, birdwatching ID tips, bird calls, and not to mention tons of Bird Field Guide Books to choose from.   But, don't let all the confusion that goes with birding make you quit.

Birdwatching to me is about spending time in the peacefulness of nature surrounded by the visual beauty of birds and uplifting songs of birds. This is why I encourage people who are interested in birding to start first by watching the birds in their own backyards or if you don't have a backyard how about at your front porch or local park. Seeing the birds daily coming in and out of your bird feeders will help you with improving your birdwatching ID skills. Learn your common backyard birds in your area first. When you get further in your birding you will be amazed how many different common backyard birds vary from each region in Texas. So, start with a simple, inexpensive, easy to read specialized bird field guide book for your region/county. Your local Texas Audubon Society in your county sale or offer it free a Texas Bird Checklists for their county. Even your Texas State Parks have birding checklists of the birds they have in their park location. Texas State Park Checklists can be found at each individual Texas State Park headquarters office.

If you don't have binoculars yet...Don't worry! Start with birding by ear. Listen to the songs and calls of the birds. Study the color, size, songs, and behavior of the birds everytime you are outdoors. Once, you start feeling more comfortable with birdwatching and would like to further your birding knowledge. Then, I would recommend you to start binocular shopping. 

Take time today to get to know your feathery friends!

#GoneTexasBirding

Happy Birding,

Sebastian Casarez

The Texas Blue Jay Project 

Founder/Coordinator