1. Hush up – 

Birds are easily surprised by clear commotions and will escape to cover. It is beyond difficult to sneak up a bird. Since birds hear obviously superior to people do. By limiting commotion, you can draw much nearer to a bird. The mind-boggling temptation,  when seeing a particularly thrilling bird, is to shout: “Amazing! Check out THAT! IT’S RIGHT OVER THERE!”

Bird watchers learn before long that a similar message can be murmured. The outcome is that the bird is bound to stay so that everybody might be able to see, for a long and relaxed look.

2. Avoid abrupt developments – 

Similarly as noisy commotions surprise birds, so does abrupt development. Drawing near to a bird implies following it, moving gradually and purposely. Unexpected, jerky development, in any event, when swinging your optics up to your eyes. Can make a bird adequately apprehensive enough to take off. The nearer you are to a bird, the more leisurely and unobtrusively you should move.

3. Follow the group – 

One of the best bird watching tips is ‘follow the group’. In the nonbreeding season (the cold weather for a very long time in the vast majority of North America) numerous little larks join runs of blended species. That is both for assurance and to make finding food simpler. Regularly these herds are generally quiet, however there will quite often be a couple of birds settling on decision notes. Following a solitary calling bird will frequently lead you to a bigger group. In fall, a solitary chip note from high in the trees might flag the presence of twelve or so songbirds. In winter a leak sound from down in the brush might imply that at least 20 sparrows, towhees, cardinals, and other seed eaters are available. Following a lone chick-a-dee-dee call might lead you to a blended herd of chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, kinglets, and woodpeckers.

4. Concentrate on environment and habitat – 

Each bird is uncommonly adjusted to a specific natural surroundings. Meadowlarks incline toward enormous open fields, woodpeckers need trees, sparrows favor bushes. What you see will depend in enormous part on where you look.

5. Work the flocks – 

Your shot at observing a strange bird is far more noteworthy in a herd. Since you have more birds to take a look at. Banding studies have shown that when you think you have ten chickadees in your yard, there are presumably 20. And when you think you have seen every one of the 20 sparrows in the brush heap, there are likely 20 more.

6. Show restraint –  

A sparrow jumping around in a shrubbery will ultimately move into where you can get a decent look. Bird watching is frequently about being patient and trusting that the birds will show themselves.

7. Getting the sun at your back – 

It is unimaginable, however moving 100% of the time around so the sun is behind you. This will make it a lot more straightforward to see and distinguish birds. When the bird is among you and the sun, shading vanishes, and the bird you are attempting to recognize might be only a dark outline.

8. Try pishing – 

Regardless of how tolerant you are, regardless of how leisurely and discreetly you move. You just can’t get a decent look at the bird. At the point when this occurs, bird watchers attempt a strategy called pishing. Pishing includes making little, noisy clamors by kissing the rear of your hand. Or making a low whistled pish by blowing air through your shut teeth. Little birds are drawn to such sounds and will regularly fly into view to explore. This is the way to pish: Clench your teeth, open your lips and murmur the word pish.

9. Avoid brilliantly hued garments – 

Many birds have helpless shading vision, yet brilliant garments, similar to whites, will stand out from the general climate and improve the presence of development. Wear hazier shadings or earth tones to mix out of the spotlight. There is no proof that real disguise clothing works better compared to impartial, dull apparel.

10. Glance around – 

Many bird watchers, zeroed in on the herd in the shrubbery, neglect to check out different natural surroundings around them. Specifically, they neglect to gaze upward and accordingly miss the group of geese or the taking off peddle. Or on the other hand, while concentrating on the ducks on the lake, uninformed bird watchers might disregard the herd of kinglets in the trees behind them. And thus miss seeing another bird.

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Birds! Casino slot game – Betsoft

Betsoft’s Birds! Is similar to a slot machine, like the kind you would find in Las Vegas. But instead of reels spinning, you’ll find 15 very cute little birds perched on 3 electricity wires. When you “spin” the birds will fly away and 15 new birds will take their place. The birds are marked with different colourings and if you get three or more of the same coloured birds lined up in a row you will win! The amount of winnings depends on the bird combination. For example, get x3 red birds wearing a beret and get 75 credits.  The winning birds will fly away and be replaced with new birds, giving you more chances to win.

After every spin you can choose to “double up” which means you can bet all or 50% of your winnings and then guess correctly the outcome of a coin flip. This is a risky strategy though, so don’t get greedy. The real opportunity to win a big payout in this game is with the Free Rounds.  You’ll see the ‘free flights meter’ on the bottom side of the screen as a big egg in a nest. You need 4 winning combinations in a row to trigger the free spins round.

Birds on a wire online slot machine – Thunderkick

This virtual slot machine can be played on your mobile phone or laptop. It’s a 5 reel game with 17 paylines. It has a similar feel to Birds! 15 birds sitting on electricity wires. As you make a winning combination, the birds fly off and replacement birds settle on the wires. In Birds on a wire, every time you get a winning combination the multiplier increases. So the first time you get x1 the payout, the second time you get double the winnings and so on up to a maximum of x5.

If you get 3 or more bonus symbols you activate the free spins round. The bonus symbol is a bird peeking out of a bag. The wild symbol is a bird with a green circle. The wild can substitute all other symbols (except the bonus bird) and create a winning combination. The most you can win is nine thousand times your bet! 

As with all online casino gaming please play responsibly. Make sure you only play with what you can afford to lose. Playing bird themed games for real money should only be for entertainment, not as a way to make money and please never chase your losses. Good luck! 

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Held in Delta de l’Ebre in Catalonia, Spain in September each year. The Delta Birding Festival attracts bird watchers and photographers from around the world. During the festival there are conferences, talks and courses available for visitors to attend. The proceeds from ticket sales go back into the conservation of local birds and wildlife. The Delta is well known as a key Mediterranean bird watching site. It is home to flamingos, ibis and breeding ground for the largest colony of Audouin’s gull in the world. Over 90 species for bird breed in the Delta and more than 300 are sighted stopping over in the wetlands on migratory routes.

The area is so naturally remarkable that it has been designated as an EDEN site. EDEN in this context stands for European Destination of Excellence. The area has long been protected by locals. Recognising it’s ecological importance, people living in the Delta mobilised in the 1980’s. A peaceful occupation was held in the area to ensure it became a protected reserve. Thus this natural habitat and invaluable ecosystem has been preserved for future generations.

Tundra Swan Festival, USA

If you are able to visit Cusick in Washington state this spring you might see migratory swans. Held annually in March this 1 day festival draws attention to the migration of the Tundra Swan. These beautiful, graceful birds stop in the Pend Orielle River Valley every year on their way to the Arctic tundra. Once there, they will breed, ensuring the regeneration of the flock.

The festival includes talks, swan photography workshops and all day information is available. 

Belize Birding Festival, Belize

Head down to South America for the Belize Birding Festival if you can! The event is held annually in San Ignacio, just south of Belize city, in October. Over 590 species of bird call this area home including Scarlet Macaws, Keel Billed Toucans, Jabiru Storks, Azure-crowned Hummingbirds, Amazon Kingfishers, and Red-Capped Manakins to name just a few!

The Belize Birding Festival attracts visitors from around the globe hoping to spy out some of these beautiful creatures. The event includes speakers, art exhibitors, guided tours and other special activities. Whilst in the area you can also support the NGO Belize Bird Rescue, a rehabilitation centres for rescued parrots and other species of bird.

The British Birdwatching Fair, UK

Across the pond you’ll find The British Birdwatching Fair held at Rutland Water. The event spans 3 days in August. During this time visitors can enjoy plenty of talks from experts and wildlife conservationists, the results of the Bird Photographer of the Year Awards, and lots of fun shows too. Birds you are likely to spot here include Rutland Ospreys, nightingales, turtle doves, cuckoos, sandpipers, and many more.

Please note that due to covid most global bird watching festivals are cancelled in 2020 and possibly 2021, but many offer a virtual birdwatching alternative.

And of course, check out the key migratory routes for top birdwatching.

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There were also photo exhibitions, bird films, and 4D Albatross experiences! Plus event visitors could enjoy a wide range of entertainment including comedy, art, poetry and talks.

The actual festival itself was held between August 19th and 26th. And what a jam packed schedule! We hope the event organisers will hold another similar event when life has returned to normal. In the meantime we can relive the highlights of the 2018 festival.

Van Bird Festival Schedule 2018:

18th August: Festival Preview

Held at the Vancouver Public Library on West Georgia Street.  A free, family friendly event to meet the teams and enjoy bird themed art and entertainment.

22nd August: “Getting into birding” presentation at Science World, Quebec Street.

Jody Allair presented a talk about getting started on your bird watching journey.

23-25 August: Nature and bird Expo, West Building at Vancouver Convention Centre

An opportunity to meet the staff from Bird Studies Canada and discuss research and conservation.

24 August: Birds of a Feather: The Reciprocal Benefits of Protecting Biodiversity, West Building at Vancouver Convention Centre.

Purnima Barman and Midori Nicholson speak about the relationship between humans and birds, and the significance of birds in the Kwakwaka’wakw native culture.

25 August: Birds and Yoga. Jack Poole Plaza, Vancouver Convention Centre.

Kate Fremlin leads a 1 hour yoga session. There are plenty of yoga poses inspired by birds, so here’s a chance to explore nature’s influence on the practice.

Other notable events included the Parade of Birds! Stilt walkers in bird costumes paraded from Harbour Green Park to Jack Poole Plaza, delighting the crowds of spectators. There was also a huge mural featuring more than 650 endangered birds artwork. Plus the whole occasion was marked by the Canadian Postal service with a special set of bird stamps.  

Festivals that highlight the natural world and how we can live a more eco conscience life are a great experience for the whole family. We know it is hard in 2020-2021 to envisage a time when festivals like this can run again. However, it will happen! And when these events are held please support them. 

How you can help

If you live in an area of natural significance or near a wildlife sanctuary perhaps you can get involved! Fund raising and raising awareness are key elements of any movement. We all owe it to the natural world and to future generations to protect birds and wildlife. We can start by educating each other and our children. Getting involved in fun festivals such as this is a great entry point.

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You can enjoy nature all year round in this exceptionally diverse parkland. Huge swathes of Monarch butterflies can be seen in Autumn, and in Spring you’ll see a wonderful spectrum of migratory birdlife. Nearly 400 species of bird have been spotted in this area, so it’s really a birders paradise! Ducks, wablers, sandpipers, geese, swans and many other varieties inhabit the Point Pelee National Park. There’s plenty of other activities to enjoy here too. Hiking, canoeing or simply relaxing on a beach. Please observe rules surrounding the types of photography permitted if you wish to use cameras in the bird reserve. 

Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

Over 250 species of birds can be sighted in this beautiful coastal park. Marine birds such as cormorants, great blue herons can be sighted. Plus a huge variety of other bird species such as plovers, warblers, woodpeckers, peregrine falcons and grouse. Enjoy hiking over 100km of forest trails, or kayaking. Even golfers and those who enjoy fishing are catered for in Fundy National Park. There’s plenty of options for campaign or staying in a trailer too. As always, please take care to respect the local wildlife and help preserve it for future generations. 

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, Quebec

Visually impressive, the Archipelago National Park Reserve consists of huge limestone columns and boulders, shaped by nature. You’ll come across a variety of seabirds here, including Atlantic Puffins, Arctic Terns, and razorbills. You might also be lucky to spot bald eagles and osprey. There are plenty of water based activities including paddle boarding, sea kayaking, scuba diving, and boat trips. Hike across boardwalks and visit 9 different islands. Enjoy woodland, peat bogs, and the shore spread over 80km of hiking trails.

Wood Buffalo National Park

Here in the northern part of the boreal plains bison, moose, fox, black bears, beavers, wolves, grizzly bears, muskox and caribou roam wild. Birders can enjoy sightings of geese, ducks, gulls, terns and swans.  There’s also an owl population, and other year round birds who inhabit the area such as jays, chickadees and ravens. Other activities in the park include golfing, camping, photography plus boat trips, hiking and guided tours. There are opportunities to see the spectacular northern lights or Aurora. It is even possible to take a light aircraft to a remote lodge so you can fully appreciate the spectacle in privacy. You can even watch them from in a hot tub! 

Terra Nova National Park, Newfoundland and Labrador

Explore the boreal forest, swim, kayak, hike or relax here. Seals and whales can be spotted as you paddle round the coast. Following over 80km of hiking trails will enable you to see many varieties of woodpeckers, chickadees, finches, crossbills, sparrows, warblers and flycatchers amongst others can be sighted all year round. Plus Terra Nova National Park boasts an array of sea birds. These include terns, ducks, sandpipers, yellowlegs, plovers and bald eagles. Other animals live here too, including bats, moose, and pine marten. Terra Nova National Park is a designated dark sky preserve, making it a perfect place to appreciate the night sky.

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