May 25, 2008

A Bird Watching Cap Will Protect Your Eyes And Head From The Elements

Bird watching no doubt means waking up early in the morning which allows you to have a better chance of watching the excellent different varieties of birds that will be seen in the wee hours of the day. And, besides being an early bird, you also need to ensure that you are comfortable and have properly planned your birding expedition. Therefore, when it is early in the morning there is bound to be frost filled trees and that kind of weather which means that donning a bird watching cap will be to your advantage.

Protection From Extremes Of Weather

The weather in the outdoors can be extreme and will change without your having much chance of finding a safe place if it begins to pour or becomes excessively hot. And, around midday you will find the sun beating down on you, which means that you should have proper protection for your head and face, and a bird watching cap will do you a world of good. So, with protection from the elements especially at different temperatures, you should find that your birding experience is more enjoyable and you will be at less risk of disease and ill health.

Besides wearing proper birding clothing you will need, as any experienced birder will be sure to advise you, a bird watching cap and so protect your head; ears as well as eyes which will help you survive the elements. There are several different types of bird watching caps to choose from and a good choice may be to buy one that is adjustable and which is made of 100 percent cotton that is also unstructured and thus most suitable to beat the warm weather. You can have it on your head while the sun is especially hot and it is also useful in keeping the hair from becoming excessively dirty.

The bird watching cap could also have sturdy low profile brims and a sweatband as well to keep your forehead from becoming excessively sweaty, and with an adjustable closure will fit any sized head. The bird watching cap is very inexpensive and is available in a number of colors though khaki seems to be most favored, and you can easily pick up one for fewer than twenty dollars from any outdoors store, or even shop for it on the internet.

If you are watching songbirds, or even birds of prey in mountains, parks and even in the woods then you will need protection for your head and eyes, and the best thing would be to purchase a bird watching cap and enjoy the unique birds with a cap that is usually found having many bird watching designs as well – just to let everybody know what your interests are.

Filed under Bird Watching, News by

May 21, 2008

Why Own A Solar Bird House?

Bird houses are both a functional and decorative addition to a back yard. They will attract a variety of birds to your yard and also add a bit of pleasant décor to your back yard. There are all styles and shapes of bird houses, most of them wooden or aluminum and some even solar powered.

A solar bird house requires more detail than a traditional wood bird house because this bird house will light up at night from receiving the sunshine during the day. The most important thing to remember when selecting a bird house for your yard is that each species of bird has its own special requirements. The shape of the house, the location and the diameter of the entry hole will determine which type of birds will live in your bird house.

Assembly

If you purchase your bird house pre-assembled then you are very lucky and will only need to find a location for it in your back yard. If you are creative and want to make your own, then a fun task awaits you. Making a solar bird house is an exciting project to create. You must first decide on how much of the house you want to light up at night. You will then need some LED panels to place in your bird house.

Since bird houses are small, you won’t have to worry about your solar bird house illuminating your yard and, therefore, you should be able to place it almost anywhere you want. Hanging it on a branch or nailing it to a tall tree is a good idea. Anywhere you might need a little bit of light is also another good idea. Maybe you could place it along a path or in a dark corner of the yard. If your solar bird house is a church you might want to put your panels on the steeple and maybe on the windows of the church.

This will make a great effect at night when your church lights up after dark. If you have several solar bird houses in your backyard it is very lovely to place them all around your yard and then your backyard takes on a mystique all of its own. Your shrubbery and trees almost come alive when these bird houses light up at night. If you are sitting on your patio with a few torches and candles lit, solar bird houses make a wonderful romantic effect.

Solar bird houses are a little more expensive to purchase then the traditional wood bird houses, but they are worth the price because of the ambience they create in your yard. If you are making your own solar bird house remember they are a little more time intensive to build because of the solar panels that have to be strategically placed.

Buying a kit to give you a diagram, directions and parts is probably the best way to go when making your own solar bird house. So, why own a solar bird house? Solar bird houses are beautiful at night, the birds can find their way home in the dark after a night on the town, solar energy does not cost you anything and it might give you a little more sense of security knowing you will always have light in your backyard at night.

Filed under Bird Houses, News by

May 17, 2008

Beautiful Bird Watching Mull Scotland

Are you into bird watching? Have you ever thought of bird watching mull? This really is a beautiful area, filled with great birds that you are sure to enjoy.

Mistakes To Avoid While Bird Watching Mull

There are 2 big mistakes that visitors who go bird watching mull make. The first one is that people often tend to underestimate the sheer size of Scotland’s landscape. There is almost 300 miles of rugged, rocky, coast line on the Island of Mull. Therefore when bird watching mull you really need to settle on one destination and use it as your base. From there you can explore the rest of the area.

Secondly you cannot assume that if the day starts off wet that it is going to stay wet, or vice versa. However, if you check the weather forecast and find that it is going to be a poor day, then go coastal where you will still be able to see seabirds, white tailed sea eagles and sea ducks. You also need to take note of the wind direction because birds of prey head into the wind when hunting. This is especially true of Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers, Kestrel, Buzzard and Short Eared Owls.

Things To Take Note Of While Bird Watching Mull

Make sure to take good notes while bird watching mull. You should notate what habitat you saw the bird in because this is critical in deciphering just what bird you saw. This will also help you to tell the difference between such things as rock pipits and meadow pipits. It is also a good idea to note what season it was because sightings during the breeding season are quite different than sightings in the autumn or winter. This is mainly due to the fact that birds’ behavior differs depending upon the season. For instance, waders are very territorial during the spring and summer but they are very sociable in the winter.

Necessary Gear For Bird Watching Mull

If you plan to go bird watching mull, there is some bird watching gear that you should bring with you. First of all, you will want to bring sensible footwear with you because in Scotland you will be walking on terrain that is rocky, boggy and perhaps even covered with seaweed. Secondly, make sure to layer your clothing and always have a lightweight waterproof jacket with you. You will also want to bring a few t-shirts, a couple pairs of shorts and some swim wear.

As far as equipment goes, you will want to bring a good telescope since Scotland is a very big country. Of course, binoculars are “essential.” If you are going on a wildlife tour they will probably provide you with binoculars for the day, unless it is a sea trip. However, it is always a good idea to bring your own binoculars if you can. This way you are sure to be able to scan seabird colonies and see the Eagle that is sitting on the mountain side.

Conclusion

Mull really is one of the best nature watching destinations in the world. The scenery here will definitely take your breath away. So take time to enjoy it and have fun.

Filed under Bird Watching, News by

May 14, 2008

Easy Bird Watching In The Neighborhood

People with disabilities or other restrictions in movement and travel are sometimes limited in their choices for hobbies. In these situations it is often very important that some type of hobby be found so that the person has a focus other than their own limited circumstances. One hobby that can easily be done by most people is bird watching. People sometimes think of bird watching as a person out in a remote swamp with binoculars, notebook and camera encumbering their movements. But, bird watching does not have to be such a complex endeavor. Easy bird watching can be done by a person with limited abilities right in their own neighborhood.

Starting The Hobby Of Easy Bird Watching

When a person decides to start easy bird watching in their own neighborhood there are a few things that will help. The first thing a person should do is to purchase a book or other resource material with the identities and pictures of local birds. This will help a person to know what birds to look for and will help create interest in looking for specific species.

Another thing that will help in starting the easy bird watching experiences is offering the birds a good environment in the neighborhood. Placing a variety of bird feeders with food for the local species is a good start. The person may also want to have a variety of bird houses and nesting sites available close by. Water is also a good lure for birds and a bird bath will be a great asset. These things will help bring the birds to the neighborhood and provide the basic needs of the birds.

Another important ingredient for easy bird watching is a pair of binoculars. Binoculars can be expensive but there are many pairs available that are less expensive at general merchandise stores. The new bird watcher will want to find the best pair they can for their budget.

Involving Others In Easy Bird Watching

The bird watcher may want to increase the interest in bird watching by involving others in the neighborhood. Easy bird watching can be a nice hobby to share with others and will help provide companionship for a person who may be fairly isolated. By including others in the neighborhood they can also help to develop a great bird environment in the area. With several homes in the area offering water, food, and nesting locations the birds are sure to flock to the neighborhood.

Filed under Bird Watching, News by

May 11, 2008

Bird Watching in the UK

James hasn’t been back to London in over thirty years. He moved to the United States after graduating with a degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and hasn’t looked back.

Working in aeronautics, he loved to watch the planes being developed as well as the birds that frequented the nearby airport. After going with a group of friends’ bird watching, the engineer decided to turn this into a hobby. He joined a club and went on trips across the country seeing a variety of species.

James had to fly to London to witness the marriage of Peter, the youngest of the siblings. Since there were places in the United Kingdom that had some birds not found in America, he decided not to pass up the chance and also do some watching for a few days.

A few days before leaving for the UK, he made a reservation at the Wild Rye nature reserve. Some examples of the species seen are the Shoveler and the Sanderling during the winter. The Little Tern and the Mediterranean Gull are also known to drop by in different times of the year.

There are hotels nearby for tourists to stay for a few days as well as tours for those who want to look around the place. Visitors are given a guide book upon entering the reserve and are allowed to take pictures.

Cornwall which is located on the south west side of England is another good place to visit. People there have seen species such as the Sandpiper, the Yellow Wagtails, the Dotterel and the Spotted Crake.

James visited both places and was able to check most of the birds on the list. Since he took a camera, it was possible to take a few photos so the information and the pictures could be uploaded into the computer.

There were other places to see exotic birds in the UK. It is a good thing the home where James grew up was in the countryside so there was time to spend time with the family and watch some birds at the same time.

James had fun at the wedding and doing some bird watching. Since there were other places to visit, he planned to return soon and check out the other nature reserves that featured other species of birds.

Filed under Birds, News by