A Field Diary for (slowly) Watching Birds
Watching birds is a lovely hobby, to learn about native and migrating feathered friends. And a wonderful way to appreciate nature.
Read our posts on how to create safe havens for birds (feeding, nest-boxes, protecting from cats) and preventing bird strike. Don’t play birdsong near birds, it can confuse and attract predators.
The Slow Birding Journal is a beautifully designed field diary, for anyone who loves to watch birds. Unlike most journals that are just ‘lists of birds’, this one advocates ‘slow birding’ that focuses on the joy of watching birds at your own pace, rather than ‘ticking birds you spot’ off your list.
Filled with detailed sections for daily use, the journal includes:
- Space to record dates, locations and species of sightings
- Targeted prompts & questions to incorporate into birding
- Advice and guidance on what to look for and pay attention to
- Illustrations of many birds, plus blank pages for drawings
The best birding is where you are right now: in your backyard, your local parks, or on your favourite day hikes. This journal will lead you to a deeper understanding of the birds you see each day.
Joan Strassman is an evolutionary biologist who has watched birds (slowly) all her life. An award-winning teach of animal behaviour in Houston and St Louis, she has written 200 scientific articles on ecology.
Where to Buy Good Birdwatching Binoculars
It’s important not to disturb birds, when watching them. So a good pair of binoculars is key. Most people can’t afford hundreds of pounds to buy ones. RSPB Puffin Binoculars are designed for children (only cost around £30) and are small and lightweight, so pretty good for most adults too.
Not many people want to lug around heavy binoculars. They are easy to hold still, and offer a wide field of view and sharp image quality. They also include a case and wrist strap, and are sold with a 1-year warranty.
