Everything you need to get started
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SPRING IS FOR THE BIRDS. AND WE COULDN’T BE MORE EXCITED. |
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PHOTOGRAPH BY JON LAURIAT, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO |
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According to the Audubon Society, a third of Americans have taken to bird-watching. With a low barrier to entry, it’s easy to see why—all you need is a comfortable pair of shoes. But to experience all the joys of this fast-growing pastime, it helps to have a few key essentials. Here are some of our expert-backed favorites. |
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When you chance upon a unique bird—or want to find one—it helps to have a field guide. Nat Geo’s categorizes over 1,000 species and includes maps and hand-painted illustrations. |
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Besides a comprehensive guidebook, all bird-watchers should have a good journal for jotting down notes. This one has plenty of blank pages, a handy index, and tips. |
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Every bird-watcher can do with a good pair of binoculars for checking out an egret fishing for its next meal or an elusive condor circling the skies. |
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When you’re traveling, you may need more magnification power. A scope like this one can help ensure you don’t miss any details, whether you’re observing from a blind or the deck of an expedition ship. |
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One of the best things about bird-watching is you can do it from home. This “smart” feeder has a camera that sends you photos and AI to help you identify species. |
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Sometimes you just need an old-school, classic feeder. This one holds five pounds of seeds so you can observe quietly to your heart’s content. |
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Our experts love this backpack for longer days of bird-watching. It has plenty of room for a camera, binoculars, and a water bottle. |
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Bird-watchers heading into wetlands or the woods may want to pack a sunhat. This one is treated with permethrin, so you can focus on the birds, not the bugs. |
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If you’re heading into particularly buggy areas, pack mosquito repellent. This popular spray contains 25 percent DEET, which experts say is proven to repel the pesky bloodsuckers. |
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PHOTOGRAPH BY SØREN SOLKÆR |
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It’s a mystery scientists have sought to solve for more than a century—how do so many birds pulse, ripple, and swirl about the sky in such a mesmerizing aerial dance? |
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