Photo: An iconic scene — a Northern Cardinal in the snow. Photo taken by Mr. Chirpy at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. If you live in a place with four seasons like I do, you may think that birding has to wait for a different climate or time of…
Category: Birding Basics
Birding Basics
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Birding 101: What time of day should I bird?
Photo: A gorgeous Northern Cardinal rests on a branch at Theodore Roosevelt Island in D.C. The photo was taken at 10:45 a.m. I’ve found Cardinals to be particularly bright in the winter, and active all day long. This is a topic I feel weirdly passionate about. People inadvertently discourage themselves…
Birding Basics
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Birding 201: Learning the Lingo
Photo: A floofy butterbutt sits on a branch at the U.S. Botanic Garden. This adorable birb is seen in D.C. in the winter. When you start birding, there is a TON of new lingo. It can be kind of intimidating but once you pick it up, you feel like a…
Birding Basics
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Birding 201: Maximizing Your Bird Identification with Merlin
Photo: A Merlin is perched in a tree at East Potomac Park in Washington, D.C. Taken by Mr. Chirpy Merlin (the application, not the bird!) has proven invaluable, especially for the beginning birder like me. When I started birding, I would use the sound ID feature on my Merlin app,…
Birding Basics
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Birding 101: Essential Steps to Start Birding
Photo: A Ruby-Crowned Kinglet is perched on a branch. Taken at the U.S. Botanic Garden New to birding? So am I! Here’s how I got started. 1 – Equip yourself with binoculars. I think this is the only piece of equipment you absolutely need to start birding. There are great…