If you want to increase your bird knowledge you can find all sorts of information, but I think everyone would agree, no amount of surfing or reading will amount to the giant step up to the next level you’d get from taking part in your first field trip with a knowledgeable birder and good instructor. So much of the frustration is taken out of identification when someone gently guides you to look for certain field marks or point out the subtle difference in similar song. When you see the live bird for yourself, it stays in your mind much better that looking at pictures. A really good leader will add tips and anecdotes that help you remember even more.
The local nature clubs usually schedule field trips to coincide with the highlights of bird activity. For example there are warbler and waterfowl outings in the spring, shorebirds in August, feeder tours in winter. These guys know the best times and places to be looking, and there is usually a member leader with a special interest along those lines.
Some people hesitate to take their first field trip because they fear their lack of knowledge will bring the mood down. I’ve never known this to be the case, helping others and sharing knowledge (especially with beginners), would rank highly in a list of what people enjoy about birding. If there’s a particular bird you want to see, mention it to the leader, they will likely mention it to a few others who will keep an eye out, it’s always fun to help someone add that elusive lifer to their list. It doesn’t have to be beginners who do this either, I’ve heard leaders say something like, “Joe here has 299 birds on his NB list and he hasn’t seen a Goshawk yet, everyone keep their eyes peeled for Joe.” If Joe gets his 300th, he’s expected to buy ice cream or hot chocolate (it’s seasonal) all around.
A few things to remember before heading out for your first time. Check with the organizer about the level of activity required. If you aren’t up to a hike then certain trips won’t be for you, although you may be able to take part in some aspects and bird on your own near the van with others who pass on the more strenuous leg of the journey. Nobody will mind, as long as you’re still there when they return, missing persons searches tend to put a dent in the trip.
Check weather and dress appropriately, it should go without saying, but good footwear is essential, it’s hard not to whine when you have blisters, wet/cold feet or you jammed a twig in your toe because you wore your Birkenstocks.
You may want to take along bug spray, sun screen, lip balm, water or anything else you may think you’ll need, within reason. Please note, when spraying bug spray, number one, remove your binoculars from around your neck and walk down wind of them, and everyone else. Nothing eats the coating off your lenses like certain bug sprays, and, wrecking the leaders new Swarovskis will definitely put a dent in the trip.
If you’re not “equipped” for, or skilled at, relieving yourself in the great outdoors, drink less coffee and take advantage of every man made toilet you come across, whether you need to or not. It’s distracting to the leader and everyone if your doing the “I-gotta-pee” dance in the middle of the group. (Sorry, but it had to be said.)
You shouldn’t wear anything too loud, in both senses of the word. That is no overly bright colours, apparently white is the worst, as many species flash white as an alarm. They shouldn’t be too noisy either, nothing rattling, flapping in the wind, whistling when you move, sure when you wear corduroys the rubbing of your thighs may call in some birds, but it gets annoying to other birders after a few hours. The worst one I experienced was hearing a constant chirp, it followed us around all day, I didn’t want to call attention to it because I had no idea what species was responsible. Later when I was asked to check someone’s binoculars, I heard it again, even closer this time. The culprit… a metal strap connector rubbing on the metal hook of the binocular.
Cell phones should be set to vibrate and only answered if the call is from the rare bird alert hot line, maybe you can detour and pick up a new bird for everyone.
Just because you are a beginner don’t be afraid to call out a bird, if you’re wrong, remember everyone else has likely been wrong more often than you. If you don’t know what the bird is call out something, literally, “I got something here.” Maybe you’re the only one who sees it and getting more eyes trained on the bird will help identify it. On the other side, if you’re more advanced don’t be so quick to identify every bird, you too may want to call out, “I got something here”, even if you know what it is. If you’re more advanced never disparage another sighting, just because you’ve seen the bird before, others may be excited to see it for the first time.
Don’t monopolize the leaders time, others may have questions as well. If everyone is sharing a couple scopes, take a quick, good look and let the next person see.
If you are car pooling, and you should be, stay behind the leader, chances are he’s scouted the route before the trip and knows the key stops. I remember one year we had a rare bird visiting our feeders, the leader called that morning to see if it was still around. I was watching the bird when the group pulled in, one car went around the leader, sped down the driveway skidded to a stop inches away from the feeder, jumped out and asked “Where’s the bird?” We were able to relocate him about 45 minutes later.
I have a pet peeve, actually I have many, but one is when someone holds their tripod vertically and releases the legs so that they clunk down noisily (6 times), scaring off everything for a 100 yard radius. I’ve seen birders of all levels do this. Hold your tripod horizontal and quietly pull the legs out.
Although you are there for a good time, apparently you should keep the wise cracks to a minimum, but in all fairness, if everyone is listening intently for a distant bird song and an old VW Beetle sounds the horn, “MEEP, MEEP” and you call out “Roadrunner” I don’t think it warrants sending me to the end of the line.
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