Intro to Birding! – Birding For All with Stanley Park Ecology and VPL

Birding for All

As part of our Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration, we wanted to share some of the highlights from our Birding for All event. Held in partnership with the Vancouver Public Library, the event provided an introduction to the birding and what you need to get started. In case you missed it, keep reading to learn more about the wonders of birdwatching and what birding in Metro Vancouver has to offer.

Benefits of Birding

Fun fact, studies have found that seeing 10% more birds can make you happier than a 10% raise! Along with the joy and excitement that can be found while birding, the activity can also provide a number of benefits you may not have expected. Highlighted below are just a few examples:

Physical and Mental Health

Whether you’re strolling through your local park or hiking your favorite trail, birding can be a great way to get active. Studies have shown that it can also help to decrease levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

Social and Community Connections

Birding provides a great opportunity to join a vibrant community where you can meet other with a shared interest. Consider joining a local group or event to interact with fellow birders in your area.

Get Outside

We could all use some more time outdoors. Birding is a great motivator to do just that, providing an amazing opportunity to connect with your natural environment.

Getting Started is Easy

You don’t need any equipment to start birding, just a desire to get outside and see what you can find! Birding is a hobby that you can take with you anywhere.

A great way to get started is to simply take some time and observe the birds in your local area, such as your neighbourhood or a nearby park. You may start to encounter some interesting behaviours, birds you’ve seen many times before or some you’ve never noticed. From there, let your curiosity guide you.

Mobile Applications and Field Guides – Which Should I Use?

There are a number of helpful mobile apps and field guidebooks that can help you identify the birds you see. Let’s quickly highlight some of the features each provides and a few popular examples to check out:

Mobile applications provide access to a huge library of references right on your mobile device. You can customize their scope based on your location, and use a number of features like photo and sound ID to help you identify birds. Popular birding apps include Merlin, Audobon, eBird and iNaturalist.

Field guides can help users with identification techniques and features like illustrated guides to help you identify birds. Popular field guide series include SIbley’s, Peterson’s and National Geographics, each featuring specific guides for any region you visit. Many of these can also be found at your local Vancouver Public Library branch.

Other Birding Resources

Don’t forget to check out other resources available through the VPL. These include curated bird book lists for fiction or nonfiction readers, shows and movies on the streaming service Kanopy (free access for VPL users) and more programs like this in the future.

Looking to meet others interested in birding? A number of local, inclusive organizations like Nature Vancouver, WIld Bird Trust of BC and Vancouver Queer Birders help organize meetups and host events. Some, like the BC Young Birders Program, also host fields trips to locations throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

Where to Watch Birds?

Metro Vancouver has so many amazing locations to explore for birds, including:

• Stanley Park
• Pacific Spirit Park
• Vanier Park
• Burnaby Lake
• Iona Island
• Maplewood Flats (North Vancouver)
• Riefel Bird Sanctuary (Delta, no bus access)
• Crescent Beach (Surrey)

Are You Ready to Get Outside?

Before heading out, either on your own or with others, here are a few helpful tips on ways you can prepare to have a great time outside:

• Be sure to have your field guide of choice ready to go
• If possible, bring a pair of binoculars to help you spot birds better from a distance
• Be sure to dress for the weather. If you’re going to out out for an extended duration, bring water and a snack.
• Remember to always be respectful of the birds, their habitats and other people you encounter while you’re out
• Most of all, have fun and enjoy your time outside!

Who’s That Bird?

Here are some examples of common birds you may see around Metro Vancouver:

1. Black Capped Chickadee
2. Great Blue Heron
3. Northern Flicker
4. Wood Duck
5. Anna’s Hummingbird
6. House Sparrow

Photos: AllAboutBirds.com

Post written by: Rimon Keleta