observed is a forktailed flycatcher which spent the part of one day in his yard .
The most important tools for birders are binoculars and a field guide . Serious birders , however , may add a notebook to document identified birds , along with the size , color , behavior , location and date ; a camera , spotting scopes , among other equipment , as well as travel to bird festivals across the country .
While birders can spend significant dollars on the hobby , birdwatching doesn ’ t have to be expensive , Perrone said .
“ You don ’ t have to have binoculars , but it helps ,” she said .
“ You don ’ t have to have a field guide , but it helps .”
Cornell University offers a free app – Merlin Bird ID – that will help birdwatchers identify birds by a photo , by their call , or a description of what the birder saw , Perrone explained .
Opened in 1990 , Three Rivers Avian Center conducts nearly 80 educational seminars each year – for state parks , schools , colleges , civic organizations , and numerous other groups . The programs are designed to “ help individuals understand the native birds and ecosystems around them and to encourage individuals in ecosystem stewardship ,” according to the website .
“ It is a joy doing the education programs ,” Perrone emphasized , adding that she always thinks to herself , If we can get just one biologist out of this crowd ...
The center also offers public tours from May to October each year .
Additionally , the non-profit center provides emergency care , surgery , hospitalization and physical therapy treatments for injured and endangered wild birds . Recovered birds are released back into their natural habitat .
“ We care for everything from hummingbirds to eagles ,” Perrone said .
She terms caring for the injured birds “ a joy and a heart break .” They ’ ve seen some major injuries to wild birds over the years , many of them inflicted by humans . “ It ’ s always heartbreaking when you lose a patient ,” she emphasized . “ The fun is when we get to release one back into the wild . That ’ s when we jump up and down .”
Conducted across the United States , birding festivals are another way serious birders can spend time with other enthusiasts , as well as observe a multitude of bird species , and hear presentations by birding experts .
Perrone lauded Geoff Heeter , owner of Opossum Creek Retreat , who organizes the annual New River Birding and Nature Festival in Fayette County in late April and early May .
“ Serious birders come from all over the country for the week-long festival and they spend a good bit of money ,” she said . “ He has top notch trips and top notch seminars .”
“ Since 2002 , the annual New River Birding and Nature Festival takes place in and around the New River Gorge National River in the heart of the upland , hardwood forests that Cornell Lab of Ornithology identified as a crucial stopover habitat for the continued survival of species such as Golden-winged , Blue-winged , and Swainson ’ s Warbler , as well as the Scarlet Tanager . The bird and nature watching festival highlights more than 100 bird species on a variety of daily birding tours ,” according to the website .
Birdwatching can be addictive , Davis emphasized .
“ As a general rule , the more you learn , the more interesting it is to be out in the yard , the more interesting it is to be out in the woods ,” Davis said . “ You ’ re more in touch with your surroundings .”
“ If you ’ re interested in nature ,” Phillips noted , “ you ’ ll never be bored .” �
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