On February 14, 2015, Tracy Drake led California Naturalist students on a bird walk at the Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum. Along the way she taught how to properly use binoculars. Here are some tips from Tracy:
- Start early. The early bird gets the worm, and the early birder makes the most discoveries. Try to begin by 7:30 a.m. If you can make it even earlier, do so; it will be worth that extra cup of coffee.
- Listen first. Tune into the sounds around you as soon as you get out of your car. If you do this, you will know which birds are in the area, and determine a direction to begin walking.
- You can develop your ear for birding by using identification apps, which often contain bird calls. iBird PRO is one such app. Caution, do not play bird sounds outside during the spring, when birds are seeking mates.
- Look for scrubby, wild places when birding. Birds congregate at the edges of open space and dense thicket.
- Bird with the sun at your back. It's not easy to spot something when being blinded by the morning sun.
- Imagine a clock, with twelve o' clock at the top. When directing others attention to a particular bird, reference its position on the clock.
- Learn birds' habits and preferred food sources. Tracy pointed out several bushes and trees, which were empty of fruit in February, but will attract certain bird species later in the year.
Enjoy using your new birding skills!
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