The winter months are some of the best times to get in a little birdwatching. In fact, January 5 was actually National Bird Day, so you may want to get in a little birdwatching to give the special day a late celebration. Birdwatching can be an expensive hobby, if you let be. However, there are many ways you can save money on this relaxing hobby. Between DIY tips and avoiding the hype of some of the trips and equipment, you should feel like a pro in your hobby without having to spend money like one. Now, you can see more birds and learn about them without worrying about how your free time fun is affecting your pocket book.
1. Start Locally
If you’re interested in birdwatching, then you’ve probably heard a lot of magical stories about some of the trips you can take to get your birding started on a more professional level. Of course, you have probably also heard of people doing a Big Year or joining other competitions. If you’re interested in this aspect of birding then you may want to take a few step backs first. Before you get into the big competitions or spending lots of money on traveling, you may want to see the birds that your local area has to offer. You can easily find a list of birds that should be in your area, which can be your first challenge. When you can locate and identify these birds then move to a broader area. You don’t have to start off big though, as even birds in your hometown may keep you busy for quite some time. In fact, you may want to do a little research to see if there are local birdwatchers who may be able to send you in the right direction.
2. Buy Feeders
One of the main things you should consider if you plan on taking up birdwatching is getting yourself a few feeders. This is especially great for the birdwatcher that doesn’t have a lot of time to kill. A bird feeder will help you lure in the birds from your area, so you can get to know the species and habits before you broaden your birdwatching horizons. You may want to do a little research in regards to bird feeders though. Different birds like different foods and have different needs when it comes to eating and hideouts. By understanding the birds that typically live or migrate through your area you’ll be able to bring in more birds to admire. There’s lots of bird feeder tutorials online, or you can save even more money by building your own using recyclables or scrap wood.
3. Keep it Simple
Often, when people take up birdwatching they think they need to buy all of the top of the line gear in order to enjoy and be successful in the hobby. This isn’t necessarily the truth though. In fact, if you’re just starting out you may want to begin with a simple bird guide. This will allow you to work towards identifying birds in your area, so you can see if the hobby is actually something you want to try out. As you progress, you may want to move up to a cheaper pair of binoculars. Of course, if you really get into the activity then you might want to continue to upgrade your birdwatching equipment, but be leery of high tech items that might not be useful at your level of birdwatching. Of course, you should also not buy items you’re never going to use. For most, a pair of binoculars, guide book and, perhaps, a camera should suffice to keep the hobby interesting.
4. Buy Used
If you do plan on going all out when it comes to the equipment, then you might want to consider buying your items used. One quick place to check Is thrift stores or pawn shops as you may be able to find binoculars for next to nothing. There are also many birdwatching websites that sell old equipment that was used for birdwatching in the past. Of course, you can also check out most technology websites, to see if you can find a good deal. Many will actually sell refurbished cameras at a great price. If you have friends that birdwatch, then you might want to talk to them about the best places to buy equipment. They may even be able to offer you a pair of their used binoculars for a good price. Guide books can also be bought used and generally won’t cost more than a few dollars when purchased this way.
5. Download Field Guides
One of the best assets you can have while birdwatching is a field guide. These guides are designed to offer you pictures of birds, details and typical locations that should help you out while you’re identifying the birds you see. Of course, the guides can cost a pretty penny if you buy them in a paper format. One simple way to cut the cost is to actually download the guides. If you have an ereader or tablet then this may help you keep your guide with you at all times. Not to mention, it could make navigating through the contents a lot easier too. The older the guide you buy, the more money you’ll save. In fact, some websites may actually provide you with older guides for free. Generally, you don’t have to worry about missing out on information when it comes to these guides either, because most species are included and their details rarely change.
6. Check Out a Conservatory
If you’re not really sure where you should start working on your birdwatching hobby then a conservatory, or even a zoo, may be a great start. These generally have a wide selection of birds for you to learn about and they are generally cost effective. In fact, many conservatories are designed to assist injured animals or work hard to provide donations to bird related charities. By visiting one of these locations you may even be able to talk to a professional about birds and find out where you should be looking in your local area. This will certainly be a big inspiration when it comes to learning about the species and the things that may entice them to spend more time around you. Of course, this is also a great place to take a closer look at birds that are a rarity. You may gain a whole new appreciation for these creatures, which is sure to make your new hobby something you’ll treasure even more.
7. Join a Group
You may not believe it, but there’s probably a birdwatching group in your community that you never even knew existed. Birdwatching groups are a great opportunity to spend time with other people who share the same interests as you. Not to mention, these groups can provide you with resources and tips that may otherwise cost you a small fortune. When it comes down to it, a group is a great way to even get started in the hobby as you’ll have locals who have already spent time birdwatching in the area and will know how to guide you to find what youre looking for in the hobby. Plus, they may be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to sales on equipment, or what brands are best for birdwatching. Apart from that, birdwatching groups often travel together, which can help cut down on the price of trips. If you can’t find a birdwatching group in your area, then look online. You may not be able to meet with people face to face, but you should be able to keep in touch with a group that has similar interests, which will boost your love of the hobby anyway.
8. Subscribe to a Magazine
One way to keep up with the birding world is to subscribe to a magazine. This allows you to check out some of the best items on the market and will give you technical stats that will keep you moving forward with your hobby. Of course, one of the best things about birdwatching magazines is they often have hints on migration patterns, news about new species and exciting stories from birdwatchers who went the extra mile to see a rare bird. Other than that, these magazines are great for hints about saving money on birding trips, especially trips based on current migration patterns. It will also give you a chance to learn about species you may not get to see. Generally, these magazines don’t cost an arm and a leg and will certainly keep you inspired and entertained while you enjoy the hobby.
9. Cheap Flights
If you really take to the hobby then you may find yourself looking at plane tickets to further your fulfilment. There’s lots of reasons to travel when it comes to birdwatching, so you may end up spending too much money if you’re not careful. You should always look at a variety of travel sites before you commit to a price. You may even be able to get a deal on standby flights if you’re not on a certain schedule. If you’re birdwatching in a specific place for pleasure, then your travel guide should be able to help you out with your flight and find you the best possible deal. Traveling with a group, or for a convention can be a different story though as many conventions will offer group flights for a reduced price. The key is to leave no stone unturned when you look for your flight.
10. Online Courses
Pursuing knowledge of birds might be something you’re interested in if you really take to birdwatching. You can pay a bundle on books and courses for this information, but there’s actually quite a few online courses that you can take for free. This is sure to make your time learning more enjoyable and might even allow you to pick up more information on your favorite species. You can find courses on birds, how to use binoculars or even photographing birds with ease. The best thing about these courses is you can work at your own pace, so you won’t end up falling behind or dropping the course altogether. Apart from being free, you also don’t have to worry about graded work, which will give you the freedom to enjoy the courses.
Birdwatching is a great hobby that will offer you insight into the natural world, while providing you with plenty of exercise. These ten tips will help you make your birdwatching hobby go a bit further. Whether you want to keep is casual or go pro, you should be able to find a healthy balance for your life and budget without having to sacrifice the fun you have with this amazing hobby.
