Wherever you go – your own backyard or another locale – make sure to follow these basic tips for bird watching:

• Try to observe the birds so they don’t know you are there
• Move slowly
• Make as little noise as possible
• Keep your distance
• Refrain from getting too close to a nest (This may cause the parents to abandon their nest, leaving the eggs vulnerable to predators)
• Do not touch eggs or young birds
• Avoid trampling fragile natural areas just to get a closer look
• Stay on paths and trails
• Don’t litter

As you begin to recognize birds by sight and by their songs, you will discover that your own backyard will start to come alive. You’ll be amazed at how many birds are all around you, and how much you were missing before you started birding.

Whether you live in the country or the city, you’ll find birds nearby… oblivious to us taking time out of our busy big lives to enjoy them going about their busy little lives!

For those bird-lovers seeking methods of accurately identifying birds and their natural habitats, the World Wide Web is an excellent resource. Many web sites feature valuable information and photographs provided by birding guides and various ecological organizations like the National Audubon Society, the American Birding Association and the Peregrine Fund. These organizations, which are dedicated to the study and preservation of birds throughout the world, are useful resources for avid bird-watchers seeking data on such topics as the best locations for pursuing their hobby.

Bird-watchers can also employ these web sites for information on the best birding equipment and bird food recipes, as well as to participate in online discussion forums. Internet users can sometimes even find “live bird cams” and interesting trivia and surveys on bird watching. Regardless of whether you are a novice or an expert in the area of bird watching, the World Wide Web is a good place to go to find information on observing these diverse and fascinating creatures.

I created BirdEssentials.com to share my enthusiasm in this pleasing and entertaining hobby.

What sparked your interest in bird watching?  Did you see a beautiful bird?  Or perhaps you encountered an unfamiliar one.  Maybe a good friend took you on a bird walk and you discovered a really pleasant experience.  Maybe you are living with lots of birds in your backyard, like we are, and the experience has made you more aware and concerned about our native birds.

Backyard bird feeding is a convenient way to enjoy wildlife. More than 65 million Americans of all ages watch, feed and landscape for birds. It doesn’t matter where you live – in an apartment, townhouse or single family dwelling, in the city, suburbs or country. Just stand still and you’ll hear them: wild birds. It is hard to imagine life without them.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing forms of outdoor recreation in the country. Each year millions of people discover for the first time the joys of bird watching. It’s easy to understand why: birds are fun to watch! One of the best things about bird watching is that it can be enjoyed just about anywhere . . . but the best place to start is right in your own backyard. All it takes to get their attention is food, water, a place to build a nest and appropriate vegetation. I would like to return to this publication periodically to share methods of attracting birds to your back yard. I suggest you might start by getting a simple feeder from BirdEssentials.com and some food and adding some shelter and water. I look forward to continuing to give you some tips on landscaping and gardening to attract, feed and help house them; continue to educate you about the types of feeders and houses you will need the attract the exact birds you want.