Title: Enhancing Your Backyard Bird Watching Experience Word Count: 622 Summary: Backyard bird watching is one of the most relaxing and inexpensive hobbies you can pursue along with your family and friends. It is both fun and educational because you can learn a great deal about your environment and survival from the various species of birds that are prevalent in your local area. Equipment Necessary for Backyard Bird Watching Birds are very sensitive to sound and the presence of humans so you have to maintain a safe distance so that the birds aren't ... Keywords: Article Body: Backyard bird watching is one of the most relaxing and inexpensive hobbies you can pursue along with your family and friends. It is both fun and educational because you can learn a great deal about your environment and survival from the various species of birds that are prevalent in your local area. Equipment Necessary for Backyard Bird Watching Birds are very sensitive to sound and the presence of humans so you have to maintain a safe distance so that the birds aren't frightened away. Because of this, a pair of binoculars is a must if you want to watch the birds behave in their normal manner. If you want to keep a record of the birds you see, you may want to invest in a camera with a telephoto lens as well. Having pictures will also aid you in researching the birds so that you can later look-up the species of the birds you have seen either over the Internet, or at your local library. Most birdwatchers who take their hobby seriously also keep a journal to record the various types of birds they see. It can also be used to take notes on their different behaviors as well. It can be fascinating to go through the pages of your journal every year as you will observe some of the same birds returning to almost the exact same location at the same time of the year. After doing this for a few years, you will find yourself waiting for them and predicting the time of the year that each species of bird returns. Attracting Birds to Your Backyard There are many different ways in which you can attract birds to your backyard to ensure that they visit your home. One of the most common practices is to install a water fountain or birdbath where the birds can find relief from the scorching summer sun and quench their thirst. You can also provide them with a feeding place by putting a birdfeeder in your yard or hanging one from a nearby tree. You may want to experiment with different types of birdseed and food in order to learn what types of food attract various species of birds. You can also provide some nesting facilities by strategically hanging birdhouses in the trees in your yard. If you don't have trees, birdhouses that sit atop stands are available as well. You may be surprised that some of the birds may adopt your bird houses as their home and return to them every year. Backyard bird watching can turn into a fun and enjoyable adventure for the whole family if you dedicate some time to this pursuit. You will find that you can recognize most of the different species of birds each season without having to look up their picture and description. You will also learn their behavior and habits. Helpful Tips When preparing for backyard bird watching, be sure that you have plenty of water and some high energy snacks available, especially if you plan to spend several hours under cover entertaining your hobby. A baseball cap or visor during the summer time and a stocking cap in winter will protect you from the sun and cold respectively. Also, during the summer, you'll want to have plenty of bug and insect repellant, as well as suntan lotion if you aren't watching the birds from a shaded area. Birds can be fascinating creatures to observe and in time you will find yourself planning bird watching vacations, especially if your family enjoys the same backyard bird watching hobby as you do. If you've been looking for ideas on how to bring your family closer together, then you'll seriously want to consider getting them involved in bird watching.