Bird Watching Equipment - Everything you need

Basic Equipment

The most basic equipment required for bird watching was once described to me as 'the mark one eyeball'! I guess that is true but you will soon need to have more items with you if you intend to make this a pastime or serious hobby. How far you go is a matter of taste and budget. Provided you don't frighten the bird they really don't mind!

Notebook

The most useful thing that you can carry is a notepad and pencil. Use this to make a note of location, time, date, weather and habitat. Do a list of the birds that you see and know. Do a drawing or write down a description of those that you don't. You can look them up later in you field guide. Your notebook should become a diary of where you have been and what you have seen. It will become a useful record as time passes.

Bird Watchers List and Logbook

The RSPB do a useful little notebook which lists the most common species and you can tick them off as you see them each day that you are out. I often use this when I am bird watching and then transfer it to my Bird Watcher's Logbook which lists all of the regular British species. The logbook is a really useful way of keeping a full record of the species of birds that you see. There is a page for each day that you go bird watching and then a year list which you complete month by month. It gradually builds up into a complete record of your bird sightings throughout the year and produces your 'annual' and life' lists. I really recommend that you get one. I bought my Bird Watcher's Logbook when visiting an RSPB shop at a reserve but the following link will take you to straight their site if you'd prefer to buy one by mail order. Bird Watcher's Logbook.

Field Guides

These are books that are used to identify birds. They are covered fully in the Field Guide page.

Site Guides

These give locations where you can watch birds, the species you are likely to see and the best time to watch. They are described in the Where to Watch Birds page.

Binoculars

These are pretty essential and the golden rule is buy the best that you can afford. A good pair well looked after will last you a lifetime. Take time to choose ones that suit you. Everything about buying binoculars is explained in more detail in Binoculars.

Clothing

Bird watching being primarily an outdoor pursuit, it is sensible to have lightweight but warm and waterproof clothing. You will be more comfortable if you wear the right type of clothing for the condition s you are in. This is covered in more detail on the Clothing page.

Telescopes

If you want to get a really close look at birds then you will need to get a bird watching scope and tripod. These are more expensive than binoculars but if you get to be serious about bird watching you will soon want to have them. They are explained in full in Telescopes and Tripods.

Camera

A simple point and shoot digital camera is good if you are close to birds, especially if you have a zoom lens. If not close enough to shoot birds it is still good to take general views or mementos of your day out. More expensive cameras, with telephoto lenses, can bring you close in to the birds. More information is contained on the Photography page.

Digiscoping

You can take pictures via your Scope--using it as a telephoto lens. You will need attachments for your scope and this is covered in Digiscoping.

Hides

To disguise you from scaring birds you can use camouflage, portable or fixed hides. You'll find information on this in Hides.

Clubs and Societies

I intend to build up a comprehensive list of bird watching clubs in Clubs and Societies.

Useful Websites

I hope to add lots of shortcuts to other useful sites in Websites