Being Prepared - A How-To Guide for Advanced Birding

Birding—for some enthusiasts it's a diversion, little more than grabbing a pair of binoculars and hitting the woods, fields, or back yard for some fresh air, exercise, and leisurely avian amusement. Nothing wrong with a casual approach to the hobby, but for the serious birder like myself, one intent on tracking down the rarest of rare species no matter the physical, emotional, or pecuniary toll, things can get a little more involved. With many of my birdwalks spanning days on end and hundreds of miles in some of the most adverse terrain and weather Michigan's lower peninsula has to offer, I felt I'd be doing my fellow birders an injustice not sharing what I've learned over the years.

The Gear

Binoculars - High-powered binocs are the difference between not being able to ID a bird with the naked eye and not being able to ID it through a pair of 10x42 lenses.

Camera - Capturing birds is a challenge made easier by the latest advances in film photography. For me, nothing less than the Holga 135 will suffice.

Field guide - It's worth doing a fair bit of research to find a book that is suitably comprehensive and compact. Don't forget a writing tool to tick off those species one by one!

Cellphone - Aside from providing access to a number of birding apps, any smartphone worth a salt features a compass, satellite map technology, and the option of making a good old-fashioned emergency telephone call when the ability to read a compass or a map fails.

Charger - I rarely remember to charge my phone before setting off on a birding adventure. Unfortunately, this rarely-charged charger rarely comes in handy.

Hydration - A canteen filled with 100% liquid bourbon is just the thing to slake that thirst.

Fuel - A sudden crash in energy is dangerous and the last thing you want in the field. Protein-rich snacks are a must!

Bedding - Mother Nature is merciless and unpredictable, and as such protection against the elements is essential. The ideal sleeping bag provides plenty of warmth and the perfect camouflage to help blend into the environs when at our most vulnerable.

Protection - Michigan's open carry laws protect our right to dismember Sith lords, rock hounds, Cub Scouts, and any other natural enemies we encounter in our travels.

The Look 

Birding is the most dignified of pursuits, and the attire of the serious birder should reflect that sense of dignity.

Many generations and decades of personal experience were mined in the compiling of this post. I hope it will prove a trusty roadmap to anyone ready to spit out their pacifier, shed the mantle of novice, and take their birdwatching to the next level.

nwb