1. Bird Watching A brief introduction

2. Birding can … Improve your observational skills. Increase awareness of your surroundings. Develops an appreciation for other living beings that share our environment. Be done anywhere, anytime and with no special equipment. Provide a lifetime of enjoyment and learning.

3. Tools of the trade Binoculars

4. Tools of the trade Field guides

5. Tools of the trade Spotting scope

6. Tools of the trade Audio tapes/CD/DVDs

7. Where to go?

8. In a park…

9. In the woods and streams…

10. At the shores and coasts…

11. Even in the city…

12. Alone…

13. Or with a group…

14. Even your dog might get into it!

15. Put up a bird feeder…

16. Take a few moments…

17. And watch the show!

18. SCANS This acronym can help you better identify the birds you might see.

19. SCANS S = Size Use a bird you are familiar with to compare Is it bigger or smaller than a sparrow/robin/crow?

23. SCANS C = color Take notice of the overall color of the bird. Notice if there are different colors on different parts of the bird. Are there patterns on the bird? Be careful of the tricks light can play with the eye.

25. SCANS A = activity What is the bird doing? Swimming, climbing, running How does it fly? Fast wing beats, long glides, flaps then falls

29. SCANS N = Noise What kind of sound is it making? Call or song can readily identify some species.

32. SCANS S = surroundings Take notice of the habitat in which you see the bird… Ocean/marsh/lake Field/woods/scrub

34. Go out, take a look around … and Enjoy!