5 TIPS FOR BEGINNING BIRDWATCHERS

One of the goals of our retirement community in Idaho Falls is to keep residents active throughout the year. From holding social events to taking day trips to local natural wonders, MorningStar of Idaho Falls is the ideal place to call home for older adults who want to continue to live active lifestyles. One activity that flies under the radar is the popular activity called birdwatching. Idaho Falls is a prime location to capture the flights of a wide variety of bird species.

Let’s review five tips for beginning birdwatchers to get the most out of this fun activity.

Invest in High-Quality Binoculars

You are going to watch birds mostly through the lenses attached to a pair of binoculars. Investing in a high-quality pair of binoculars allows you to get big, crisp, and bright up-close images of the birds in action. Binoculars especially come in handy when you want to zero in on a nest to watch baby birds cry out for their mother. Although spending less than $100 for a pair of binoculars appeals to your sensibly frugal ways, consider spending as much as $300 to receive superior images of the birds that you watch.

Know How to Attract Birds

Although hiking around to find birds to watch appeals to your adventurous side, the most successful way to birdwatch is to attract a flock or two to visit your home. You can accomplish this by placing a bird feeder near the entrance to your apartment at our assisted living facility in Idaho Falls. Bird feeders come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but the most important element is what you put in a feeder for the birds to enjoy. Most birds love munching on sunflower seeds, which are readily available at both pet and grocery stores.

Capture the Moments

Binoculars help you get much closer to birds, but you can capture the moments for future viewing by investing in a still and/or video camera. Even using a sophisticated Smartphone can help you create a lifetime’s worth of memories of the birds that you watch. You can capture the majestic flight of an eagle, as well as shoot a flock of crows getting together for their daily meeting. Mounting a camera on a tripod helps you stabilize each shot.

Record What You See

Birds are creatures of habit, from returning to the same spot after every migration to feeding at the same field at the same time each day. As a beginner birdwatcher, you should record the activities of the birds that you watch for reference during upcoming years. You can write down your observations, but a more accurate description can be given by talking into a voice recorder.

Interact With Other Birdwatchers

Although you can develop a feeling of inner peace by watching birds on your own, the real joy of birdwatching comes from sharing your experiences with fellow birdwatchers. Making birdwatching a social event in addition to an educational event helps you gain insight into how other people approach this popular hobby. Joining a club that organizes bird watching expeditions is an effective way to make connections.

Another way to make connections while you birdwatch involves getting together with other residents of our assisted living facility in Idaho Falls. The mission “to honor, to value, to invest” has special relevance when it comes to the activities planned at MorningStar of Idaho Falls. Schedule a tour today to learn more about the activities scheduled at our senior living center in Idaho Falls.