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