Did you know that birdsong and other sounds of nature have significant benefits for our health and well-being? Bird watching is a great way to connect with nature, increase endorphin levels (the happiness hormones) and reduce stress. Getting started in bird watching (also called birding in the world) is not difficult, but there are a few basic guidelines to follow. Guidelines to minimize our impact on nature and the environment.
How to prepare?
Before our trip, We must document ourselves about the biology and behaviour of the birds we are going to observe, as well as the space in which we are going to carry out our activity. To be able to deal with possible setbacks, we recommend taking enough water, a thermal blanket or warm clothing and writing down the emergency telephone numbers or the telephone numbers of the protected space you are visiting.
It is important Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and avoid brightly colored clothingGreen or brown colors will help us go unnoticed. If we expect rain or a lot of sun, don't forget a raincoat or cap.
What do we need?
In principle, not much, but these instruments will help us and make our activity more entertaining:
- A field notebook for taking notes: Date and location, climatology, observed species and characteristics, number of individuals, behavior, habitat, description of sounds… All these notes will help us in our next observations.
- Binoculars or telescope, depending on our investment capacity.
- Bird Identification Guide in Paper or Digital: The Seo/BirdLife app offers highly relevant information regarding species and habitats, as well as routes.
- And we can complete our team with a cameraThe better it is, the better photos we will get.
How do we behave?
In the code of conduct of Seo BirdLife gives us some indications and tips that, although they seem obvious at first, it is not bad to remember. These would be the main indications:
- The welfare of the birds comes first.
- The habitat must be protected.
- The behavior of the birds should not be altered.
And we are also advised to be cautious with the information we share, especially if it is related to birds at risk. The sustainability of this activity, as well as the environments in which it takes place, depend on managing the impact we produce.
Where can we start?
In the steppes of the Southern Iberian System There is one of the most important lagoons for migratory birds that fly over the Spanish skies every season. It is the Gallocanta Lagoon In which we can also find a interpretation center with very useful information. This is a ideal place to start bird watching. Between February and March, and October and November we can see dozens of Thousands of cranes in the early morning or before sunset, which is when they leave or return from feeding.
In the surroundings of Gallocanta, there are also Zaida Lagoon and of Guialgerrero, and although these wetlands are smaller, they also receive a large number of birds that spend their summers in northern Europe.
What should we keep in mind during our observation?
It is important to remember that we must Avoid approaching nests and breeding areas since we could cause a nuisance and the birds might get up and abandon their nests. And if we have approached without realizing it, we should move away as soon as possible. Of course, never touch or pick up chicks or eggs.
In general, We can approach it in a prudent manner as long as they do not show any changes in their behavior, and once settled, let the birds approach freely.
By following these tips, you are ready to start bird watching! We hope you enjoy it and are a little happier after your activity.