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Simple Simple Basic Question (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Laggard
- Start date
I've given this a bit of thought as it isn't quite as simple as it first seems.
I suppose a lot will depend on the terrain and the weather, I'll spend longer if it's a warm or sunny day than if cold or wet. Again I'm happy to spend longer waiting in hilly terrain than on the flat, there's more chance of something appearing over the hill whereas on the level you have a much greater view so don't need to spend as long stood.
Sometimes the mood I'm in will influence the time I spend waiting, if I'm in a good mood I'll stand around for longer than when not.
So I think the correct answer to your question about how long do you wait, is as long as you feel like on that day. Being more specific, I usually hang around for maybe 15 minutes or so on a bad day but can stay put for an hour or so on a good day.
I suppose a lot will depend on the terrain and the weather, I'll spend longer if it's a warm or sunny day than if cold or wet. Again I'm happy to spend longer waiting in hilly terrain than on the flat, there's more chance of something appearing over the hill whereas on the level you have a much greater view so don't need to spend as long stood.
Sometimes the mood I'm in will influence the time I spend waiting, if I'm in a good mood I'll stand around for longer than when not.
So I think the correct answer to your question about how long do you wait, is as long as you feel like on that day. Being more specific, I usually hang around for maybe 15 minutes or so on a bad day but can stay put for an hour or so on a good day.
Steve Gross
Well-known member
For me, it depends, as well. If I'm at a spot where the sun first hits the treetops, I'll stay there for a while, since birds tend to be most active there, particularly in colder weather.
If I'm at a water feature, I may stay for quite a while, even if there are no birds. At a refuge in S. Texas last winter, I had to wait for an Indigo Snake to come and go before any birds came back to the water. Of course, I got to watch the snake in the mean time.
When I'm walking, I'm always listening and I usually stop when I've heard something. If I pish (which I don't always do) and nothing happens, I'm usually gone in a matter of minutes.
Hope this helps.
If I'm at a water feature, I may stay for quite a while, even if there are no birds. At a refuge in S. Texas last winter, I had to wait for an Indigo Snake to come and go before any birds came back to the water. Of course, I got to watch the snake in the mean time.
When I'm walking, I'm always listening and I usually stop when I've heard something. If I pish (which I don't always do) and nothing happens, I'm usually gone in a matter of minutes.
Hope this helps.
chris butterworth
aka The Person Named Above
As others have said it depends. If the habitat is 'right' then I can hang about for hours otherwise I tend to slowly wander around a regular course that has developed over time.
Chris
Chris
Corax67
Well-known member
I think that after birding for a while you start to get a feel for an area and how long you may need to hang around before things happen (or not).
Seawatching is a pastime that will require extenssive periods of time staring at empty skies but equaly in wooded glades it may be necessary to settle down quietly and wait to allow the birds to overcome natural caution and return to an undisturbed rhythm of movement and call allowing you to pick up on them.
Waiting time may also be dependant upon factors such as weather (especially wind conditions), time of day (early mornings are much busier than midday) and time of year too since breeding birds need to be far more active in food gathering so there is less time required to establish if birds are present at a site.
Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules but if in doubt then linger that extra 5 minutes.
Seawatching is a pastime that will require extenssive periods of time staring at empty skies but equaly in wooded glades it may be necessary to settle down quietly and wait to allow the birds to overcome natural caution and return to an undisturbed rhythm of movement and call allowing you to pick up on them.
Waiting time may also be dependant upon factors such as weather (especially wind conditions), time of day (early mornings are much busier than midday) and time of year too since breeding birds need to be far more active in food gathering so there is less time required to establish if birds are present at a site.
Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules but if in doubt then linger that extra 5 minutes.
Bob Philpott
Well-known member
How long do I stop in one area. It seems to be long enough to move on about 5 minutes before something interesting appears (usually for the person who follows me)
Greg McKay
I like the pretty colors
I work to no fomula
I let my ears decide
If I can't hear birds why wait for them to come to me. I'd rather keep walking until I hear something that me stop and see what is making the call
I let my ears decide
If I can't hear birds why wait for them to come to me. I'd rather keep walking until I hear something that me stop and see what is making the call
Laggard
Well-known member
Birds don't always make noise though. If I stopped only when hearing a song or call I'd miss a lot of birds.
Geoff Brown
Well-known member
If fine five minutes, if raining five seconds!
Being new to birdwatching I find this a brilliant question and have enjoyed reading the replies. I have found that I seem to keep walking using my eys and ears( my legs do the walking) to look for birds. Have to say that generally I find this unsuccessful. I have however taken time to stop for 5/10 and simly let the birds come to me. This gives me more time to concentrate and scan using my bins. AS birds and other animals are very good at not revealing themselves I find that I can see more this way
Stewart
Stewart
Dean Waring
Guest
Yes i agree
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