Autumn is a Great Time to Start a Lifetime Hobby on Sunday, September 13, 2009

by Scott Lukens

If you’ve ever walked through a park on a May morning, you may have dismissed birding as more of a test than a hobby.  The newly leafed-out trees hinder sighting the birds; together with a cacophony of bird calls, species identification becomes a challenging feat indeed.

Fall and winter are opportune times to start bird watching.  The leaves are gone (or going) so the birds are easier to spot and identify, plus fewer birds are singing.  Things are manageable.

A good first step to birding beyond your backyard is to walk a nature trail in a nearby park.  Listen for the dee dee dee of the Black-capped Chickadee.  At this time of year you may see it in a mixed flock of Ruby-crowned Kinglets, nuthatches, and woodpeckers.

Notice the birds as they forage in a nearby tree.  Each species will look for food in different areas of the same tree.  You’ll probably see birds that you’re already familiar with from your backyard feeders, making identification more rewarding.  Notice too that sound carries well in the winter woods, which will enable you to search out other birds not seen at your feeder.  This is truly a great time to get out and enjoy our wildlife.

Why not join us on a free bird walk? No scrambling through a guide book on your own—our leaders make it easy.  They spot, identify, and give details about the birds you find.  Welcoming beginning birdwatchers especially, Audubon Society of Portland and Backyard Bird Shop co-sponsor free walks to local Portland hotspots on the 3rd Saturday of each month.