| Worried about how much time your child spends | | | | 3 - do take binoculars, an essential piece of |
| in front of the computer and TV? Wondering | | | | equipment |
| how you can entice them to get outside once | | | | |
| in a while? Consider a family birdwatching | | | | 4 - do take a field guide so you can identify |
| outing - a great way to get outdoors, learn | | | | the birds you spot |
| about nature, share a fun day, and maybe even | | | | |
| develop a new shared passion! | | | | 5 - do encourage everyone to start and |
| | | | maintain a lifelist - kids will like putting |
| Few realize this, but birdwatching is | | | | this onto a computer, where they can easily |
| America's number one sport, with over 51.3 | | | | sort to see if a bird is new on their list |
| MILLION participants, according to the US | | | | |
| Fish & Wildlife Service. Many birders are | | | | 6 - if you have a backyard, do put out |
| passionate fans, people who get estatic over | | | | feeders and birdhouses - you can see some |
| seeing an unusual specimen, but the majority | | | | great birds without even leaving the house! |
| of birders are regular folks who just love | | | | |
| birds and being outside. | | | | 7 - do use your ears - when you listen, |
| | | | you'll be able to spot birds you wouldn't |
| If you've never been out birdwatching before, | | | | have otherwise noticed |
| you're in for a treat. Find yourself a wooded | | | | |
| park, equip everyone with inexpensive | | | | 8 - do encourage your kids to learn more |
| binoculars (sharing is no fun - by the time | | | | about birds online - there are wonderful |
| you switch who has them, the target has often | | | | sites to help identify birds or just play |
| flow away), and get a basic field guide to | | | | bird games |
| the birds of your region. Take a notepad | | | | |
| along, and start what is known as a | | | | 9 - do read books on bird behaviors together |
| "lifelist". This is simply a list of birds | | | | - birds are fascinating creatures, and the |
| you have seen and identified, usually along | | | | more you discover about them the more fun |
| with the date and location of the sighting. | | | | birdwatching becomes |
| Kids love this - everytime they see a new | | | | |
| bird they get to add it to the list, making | | | | 10 - do go out in the winter and early spring |
| each new sighting a thrill. | | | | - you may have to bundle up, but without |
| | | | leaves on the trees you can see the birds |
| There are a few basic guidelines to follow | | | | much more easily |
| when birding: | | | | |
| | | | Birdwatching is an active, educational, sport |
| 1 - don't take the dog - the noise will scare | | | | that gets more enjoyable as you learn about |
| away most of your chance of seeing anything | | | | it. Kids and adults alike get a real thrill |
| interesting | | | | out of adding a new sighting to their |
| | | | lifelists. So grab your binoculars, field |
| 2 - do talk quietly, for the same reason | | | | guide and notebook, take your family, and go |
| | | | spot some birds! |