Novice birders generally prefer the warmer months, when they can hike about in shorts, a T-shirt and a floppy sun hat, searching for colorful summer residents and visitors. Of course, some choose a more sedate approach, observing birds from the comfort of their deck.
While veteran birders are not immune to such practices, we are familiar with the benefits of winter birding, when a large variety of seasonal residents arrive from more northern climes. In addition to this influx, raptors, songbirds and woodpeckers are easier to locate in the barren trees and all species tend to be more active, driven by the need for calories during this challenging season. We also know that winter is the best time to observe vagrants (that wander in from their usual ranges) or irruptive species, forced southward by a shortage of food across their northern homeland. Finally, those birders who live near mountains enjoy the arrival of species that practice vertical migration, descending to more hospitable elevations during the winter months.
Winter birding, whether conducted from a picture window or out in a snowy wilderness can be more productive than many birders realize. We humans may not be designed for winter weather but our avian neighbors and visitors are well equipped to thrive during nature's culling season.
While veteran birders are not immune to such practices, we are familiar with the benefits of winter birding, when a large variety of seasonal residents arrive from more northern climes. In addition to this influx, raptors, songbirds and woodpeckers are easier to locate in the barren trees and all species tend to be more active, driven by the need for calories during this challenging season. We also know that winter is the best time to observe vagrants (that wander in from their usual ranges) or irruptive species, forced southward by a shortage of food across their northern homeland. Finally, those birders who live near mountains enjoy the arrival of species that practice vertical migration, descending to more hospitable elevations during the winter months.
Winter birding, whether conducted from a picture window or out in a snowy wilderness can be more productive than many birders realize. We humans may not be designed for winter weather but our avian neighbors and visitors are well equipped to thrive during nature's culling season.
