Birders Tips - Woodland birds (1 Viewer)

Hi guys

Having started the collaboration of tips, I had reccomendations to make it into 'chapters'. So search around for each 'chapter' on a certain type of birding and tips on it.

Please help contribute to help new Bird Forum members like myself and others by sharing your knowledge on Woodland Birds!

MattSharps

boundaries, sun, song, follow flocks, seed

1. Many, if not most, species of (woodland) birds like boundaries so search the edges of a woodland or find clearings rather than spending all your time trekking through the middle. This also avoid having to stretch your neck upwards all the time.

2. Try and keep the sun behind you when starting the route, this way you'll avoid those awful silhouetted views high up in the top branches.

3. You will hear more than you see. Learn the songs and calls of the ten most common species then anything 'unusual' will stand out and you'll know which bird to follow!

4. If you see a flock of tits, especially Long-Tailed, follow them! Many other species, e.g. tits, treecreeper, crests, etc. often trail behind or mix it in with them.

5. Throw a couple of handfuls of bird seed around the car or other spots you know you'll cover twice. When you return the birds will have come to you.

Stephen C said:

3. You will hear more than you see. Learn the songs and calls of the ten most common species then anything 'unusual' will stand out and you'll know which bird to follow!

Click to expand...

... and once you've a pretty good idea of bird song/calls (in the UK), that odd one you've never heard before will always turn out to be a Great Tit!

John

Try to be the first person in any given wood in the morning - it will pay dividends.
Keep quiet and listen. Woodland birds are easier to hear than see.

Yes, learn the vocalizations and be very patient. Sometime it pays to let the birds come to you.

Go in late Feb/early March - woodpeckers are starting to get territorial and are easier to find, but there are still no leaves on the trees. If you know a wood where lesser spotteds are known to breed, it can be your best chance of finding them.

Stephen C's third point about bird song is another point I would have made.