Author: Rita Shaw

Birdwatching in Arkansas: What You Need to Know

Posted on by Rita Shaw

When ornithologists from Cornell University announced they had found the Ivory Billed Woodpecker in the Big Woods of Arkansas, a stampede of bird watchers made their way to the state, hoping for a sighting of a bird many had assumed extinct. While there is still some controversy about the existence of the ivory billed woodpecker, it hasn’t stopped birding enthusiasts from descending on the state. If you are planning a bird watching trip to Arkansas, here are some things to know before you go.

Be ready for the weather- In Arkansas, that means be ready for anything. Arkansas has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters, but winter temperatures can dip into the single digits in the northern counties and ice storms aren’t uncommon. If you are traveling in the summer, take plenty of water on your …

Backyard Birdwatching Just for the Fun of It

Posted on by Rita Shaw

I’m not a typical birdwatcher, and even though I do have a book showing all of the birds to be found in Northern California, I’m still not very good at matching the birds that I see in my backyard with the pictures in the book. Nevertheless, I do enjoy watching the birds as they go about their business, and try to figure out what they’re up to.

We have created a bird sanctuary in our garden, complete with feeders, water for drinking and bathing, and flowers for the hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The garden is enclosed with a high fence, and there are lots of little hiding places for the birds to find shelter.

Our friends gave us a funky, handmade birdhouse that we hung on the fence, intending it to be yard art – never thinking that birds would …

Finding the Right Birdwatching Locations

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Before planning an outing for bird watching, you must decide the type of bird that you would like to see. You may find them in your own back yard or at a local park,. But, first you must know where to look and what to listen for. Keep a bird watching guide handy to identify the birds you see. Look for places with exotic birds, like at a beach or in the rain forest. You may spend a lot of money planning a trip, or you can save money by finding local places to find different types of birds.

Also, you can grab a friend to take with you, who will enjoy finding the different types of birds. In the city you will find sparrows, wrens, pigeons, or finches, even cardinals and many more. However, in the woods, you may …

The Tools of the Trade: Birdwatching Tools

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Without the help of a pair of fine optics, there’s no easy way to see birds, which are hidden in the safety of a large tree. Binoculars not only increase the birds, but you can rely on great distances.

It is important to note that any observation of birds are visually beautiful and easy, how often people can have an impact many hours in view of the birds. While some of Ornithology, that a decent pair of binoculars is the only thing that runs through an observation of the birds of adventure, there are many other things to keep in mind that reinforces a trip.

To ensure easy access to the guides and other elements, a jacket with the bird-sized bag is recommended. The jacket offers a typical ten bags of different sizes to take account of points, such as …

The best spots for bird watching in New York City | 6sqft

Little Known Bird-Watching Spots in NYC

Posted on by Rita Shaw

The best spots for bird watching in New York City | 6sqft

There are many different places in New York City where you can sit and watch birds. The best places that I have found are Central Park. There are a few great places in Central Park where you can sit and watch the birds. The best time to sit and watch the birds are in the spring. If you are looking for bird watching spots in New York City, here is a list of places located in Central Park.

The Ramble in Central Park

The Ramble is a great bird watching spot in New York City’s Central Park. In the Ramble you will find the Azalea Pond. You will also find bird feeders. With the bird feeders, you are sure to see many different birds. Some of the birds that you will see in the spring are different song birds and …

Tips for Bird Watching in Yellowstone National Park

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Yellowstone National Park is a great place to go to watch birds. The birds are free and plentiful and easy to find in the park. There are about 150 types of birds in Yellowstone National park. Many are waterfowl birds and some are seen more in the woods. There has been a record of bird watching since the park opened in 1872, now there are plenty of bird watching opportunities all over Yellowstone National Park.

In the wetlands of the park you can see ducks, geese and pelicans swimming, flying and making their nests and raising young. They are easy to find in the lake, rivers and swamps all over the park. Bring a pair of binoculars to watch them so you can keep your distance and still see them.

Yellowstone National Park is home to many types of songbirds. …

Senior Tips for Birdwatching

Posted on by Rita Shaw

For senior citizens, birdwatching can be an ideal hobby or pastime. Birdwatching can be done by people whose heath issues restrict their activity. It can be enjoyed by folks on a fixed income. Best of all, birdwatching is an activity that can be done all year round. There are very few special demands made on seniors who want to get into birdwatching. You don’t need new clothes or fancy equipment. Still, a few solid senior tips for birdwatching might come in handy.

  1.  Begin locally and think small. No one wants to squelch the enthusiasm of a senior who is about to take up a new hobby, but birdwatching is something that is perhaps best begun locally and on a small scale. There are birds all over the world but when you begin birdwatching it can be much less overpowering or
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Super Kentucky State Parks for Bird Watching: First Person

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Do you enjoy grabbing a pair of high-powered binoculars and whiling away the weekend bird watching? My family sure does. However, we tend to incorporate it into a hiking and camping trip as well. One state that we have visited over the years to do all three is Kentucky. The state is home to many birding hot spots, including some that are located within a park setting. With that said, here are my selections for a handful of the best sites:

Barren River Lake

One state park that my crew has enjoyed visiting is Barren County’s Barren River Lake Resort. As you may have assumed, it features an expansive tract of land and a large lake. Thus, you are apt to encounter a vast array of birds throughout the year. Depending on when you opt to visit, you may find …

How to Stop Birds from Flying into Windows

Posted on by Rita Shaw

Even if they are not seen, birds frequently collide with windows. Some manage to fly away and others are killed instantly. These injuries can be prevented with minimal effort and expense; keeping the bird population healthy, and the bird lovers happy.

Bird versus windows incidents tend to occur most often during the spring and fall migrations, when the most birds are on the move before habitats.

Not every window in the house is necessarily a concern for birds. The most reflective windows are the most dangerous especially if they are near a bird feeder or other area that birds often frequent. Even small windows can cause damage as birds are used to flying through small spaces between branches.

Research has shown that the majority of bird species will avoid glass with white vertical stripes about ¼ inch wide, spaced 4 …

A Sentimental Hobby: Backyard Birdwatching

Posted on by Rita Shaw

When I was a small child, I would often spend weeks in the summer at my grandparents’ house. My grandfather, John, was quite the storyteller, blaming various bodily noises on imaginary bullfrogs, and convincing me and my cousins that the rest of his 8-point buck was sticking out of the other side of the wall. But the story that I am most fond of is that of Myrtle and Earl, the robins that were “Pap’s birds” that stayed with him every summer. It never occurred to me that there were more than two robins in existence; every one that I saw was either Myrtle or Earl, and Pap could always tell them apart somehow. Because I idolized my grandfather, “his” birds became my birds and led to my desire to entice them to my yard even as an adult. I …