STOKES BIRDING BLOG

This time I simply wanted to refer you to a truly wonderful birding blog. Lillian and Don Stokes have wonderful photos, stories and plain birding enthusiasm all over their blog.

STOKES BIRDING BLOG:

"BIRDING, NATURE, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND ABOUT THE STOKES"

Go check it out.

Birder's Binoculars?

Choosing the right binoculars for bird watching is critical to get an enjoyable experience out of the whole thing. So how to go about it? Here's a helpful little piece to give you an idea.

Bird Watching Binoculars:

"Avid bird watching enthusiasts often look like pack mules hiking to a gold rush in the west. Bird watching binoculars are one of the critical pieces of equipment they carry.

There are a lot of issues when it comes to choosing binoculars for bird watching. Optics and personal preference seem to be the foremost, but here is a list of issues you should consider.

• Bashability
• Costs
• Feel

"

Read the full piece here, great stuff.

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Hotspots: Mauritius, Reunion and Rodriquez

Ahh. Mauritius. Deviously alluring.

Endangered Animals :

"For the twitchers out there, here's a site with some links to useful bird watching information for Mauritius, Reunion and Rodriguez."

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True Birder? Prove it.

Surely you've dabbled around with different kinds of binoculars while bird watching, so here's a challenge for you. Get the best.

Telescope-Strength Binoculars - BornRich:
"If you love to indulge in celestial and terrestrial viewing then how about a pair of binoculars with the strength of a telescope! The binoculars featured here is not a usual one, it features the strength of the telephoto magnification of a telescope within its binoculars frame. The professional grade optics are crafted from heavy-duty aluminum and steel, and are completely waterproof for regular outdoor use and includes two interchangeable eyepieces capable of up to 40x magnification. The model features a built-in tripod mount and a handle at the top for ease in carrying! The binoculars-cum-telescope sells for 1,699.95 at Hammacher."

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Brooklyn Bird Dude!

'nuff said!

The City Birder:
"Sean: “Oh, crap (muffed sounds, phone dropping).”

Me: “What happened? Did you spill your beer?”

Sean: “No, there’s a Northern Harrier flying over 5th Avenue!

Me: ”Where is it?“

Sean: ”It’s only about 150 feet off the ground. I think it’s a ‘Gray Ghost’.“

Me: (long pause) ”I see it. It’s definitely a male. It just passed over Methodist Hospital.“

Me: ”Very cool.“

Sean: ”Sweet.“"


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Free Bird Watching Ebook!

Ok fellow fans of finding, watching and feeding Birds, here's the deal:

I'm writing the end-all-of all Bird Watching books right now, and I need your help.

Not in the writing, thank you very much, but to tell me exactly what you'd like to see in the ideal, greatest book on Bird Watching ever written!

So let me know, and I'll send you a free copy once it's finished!
No kidding, no catch, no joke.

Just go here, fill out the simple form telling me your biggest problem(s) and questions with Bird Watching and you'll be on my shortlist to receive the Ultimate Guide To Bird Watching (or whatever the title ends up being) as soon as it's finished.

It won't be long now, so hurry!

Yours sincerely,

John Cambridge
The Extreme Bird Watcher

PS. Yes, you can tell your friends about this. But hurry, I won't keep this opportunity open forever! The ones coming late will have to buy the book like everybody else...

Bird Watching In Paradise?

My eye naturally caught this, being a sucker for beautiful resorts AND bird watching. How about it?

Block Island - Memorable Vacations Are Made of This - Island Sea Resort:

"BLOCK ISLAND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Located on the North End of Block Island the refuge is now a 127-acre habitat for wildlife and for visitors to enjoy the wonder of this natural environment.

If you’re a bird-watcher then the fall season offers a spectacular opportunity to view migratory birds, especially songbirds. Bring your camera and binoculars for a very special trip to a very special refuge.

The shoreline area runs from Settler’s Rock to Sandy point and the North Light, and then from here to Great Salt Pond. This is an ideal area for walking, bird watching, and breathtaking views."

Oh dear. Gotta have one of these experiences soon!
Check it out.

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Bird Ogling Tip

Here's some quick basic advice on one of the absolute essentials of Bird Watching -- the binoculars.

Robin's Adventures In Camping Equipment:
"Bird Watching Tip:

Binoculars for bird watching need to be light, so you can carry
them for long periods. Also sturdy enough for many years of use.
Should be easy to hold and very steady. Need to be properly sealed
from dust and moisture.

They should be able to discern the most
delicate subtle colours and detail. Of course they need to be able to
focus on the entire picture if you where eyeglasses. Of course only
you will be able to determine how this works for you."

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Bird Feeding Styles Of The Rich And The Famous

DIY Network:

"Not all bird feeders are created equal. There are some styles that are suited for general-purpose feeding and some that are more specialized and designed to attract or accommodate certain species of birds.

Now that you've determined what types of feed you'll be offering to entice birds to your backyard, you'll need to decide on what types of feeders to use. Here's a guide to some of the common types."

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Hummingbird Paradise, Anyone?

Here's a little something for you Hummingbird watchers out there;

Create And Enjoy A Hummingbird Paradise » Momma Muse: "Bird watching, for hummers and others, is a popular pastime in the United States. With more than 800 species of birds available to watch in North America alone it’s little surprise. In fact, it’s believed that 51 million Americans enjoy the hobby to one extent or another.

Getting started watching birds is a pretty simple proposition, too. Just open your eyes! The critters are everywhere. In backyards, parks, along roadsides, in wild settings, zoos and beyond, witnessing majesty in flight is one of the easiest hobbies to get going.

If creating a backyard humming bird paradise is your desire, this is also a pretty easy proposition. Humming birds are attracted to a number of things and since they are so prevalent in the United States, it shouldn’t be difficult to create a mecca for the little fliers in a backyard of any size."

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Get Hooked On Backyard Birding

Well, I never thought of it this way, but of course observing the birds in your backyard is a form of bird watching as well... :)

Once you start you may get hooked on backyard birding | ajc.com:
"Watching a brilliant bluebird splash in the birdbath or seeing a bright red male cardinal gently place a seed in his mate's beak are among the joys of watching nature close up. Bird-watching from a kitchen window or a comfy chair on the deck can be a treat all year long.

'You don't feed birds to save them in the Southeast,' said Georgann Schmalz, an ornithologist who taught at Fernbank Science Center and is a former president of the Atlanta Audubon Society. 'It isn't cold enough. We feed birds because we want to see them up close. ... And the birds are already there. They see a feeder, and it's easy grub.'

There ya go.

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Birding Festival Time!

Hartselle Enquirer : Lifestyles: "Bird lovers from throughout the state will be flocking to Decatur next month for the North Alabama Birding Festival. The festival, set for May 5-7, will celebrate the diversity of birds along the North Alabama Birding Trail and Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

Events will include three days worth of tours of fowl-populated areas of the refuge, Guntersville, Scottsboro, Huntsville and the Shoals. All tours will originate from the Holiday Inn in Decatur.

*
Speakers for the event will include Charles Seifried, Bobby Harrison and Robert Reed."

Thar you go!

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Birding At A Spa?

Echo Valley Ranch Birding Package - Luxist: "Of the many reasons to visit a destination spa, birds aren't usually on the list. They are the star attraction this month at the Echo Valley Ranch in British Columbia. Their Birding package which is only available in April, is a chance to observe and learn about birds in the raptor family. Their birding package includes falcon training demonstrations, looks at the nesting areas of the great gray owl and the golden eagle,a guided marsh walk and plenty of opportunities for general bird spotting. "

Well there you have it. Luxury and bird watching DO go together. :)

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