Bird Watching 101

I participated in Bird Watching 101 thanks to the UP OICA 2019 UP Lakad Gunita program #UPDLakadGunita2019 on Diliman fauna this 18 February 2019 triggered by a post on Facebook.

With Professor Bert Madrigal, a bird watcher resource expert facilitating the program assisted by courteous AIT tour escorts, the 3-hour session #hunimondays opened a whole new world.

What I thought was relatively easy was stimulating but challenging and demanding.

To appreciate bird watching, specific skill sets are essential to:

• See the bird with your naked eye which is straining
• See it detailed using a binocular, difficult if one is not familiar with framing
• Capture the bird with your telephoto camera which must be done quickly as the bird is constantly in motion
• Know the species and its characteristics requiring memorization
• Hear the sound, demanding concentration
• Be conscious of your safety which one tends to forget considering the 5 steps to be done
• Have the stamina for the physical activity

What made it easier for a first timer to adapt after a few minutes were:

• The guidelines provided by the two AIT female tour escorts including insect repellants, bird literatures, certificates
• The lectures and high-end equipment and binoculars of Professor Bert 
• Multi media supplements as tablets, printed copies and Professor Bert’s camera display
• Expertise shared by the resource including trivia and historical perspective on the bird’s migratory patterns
• A cooperative and eager to participate group
•  A fascinating science complex which is more than its structures as it housed a wealth of actual fauna and flora

Towards the end, my interest in bird watching was heightened especially when I could easily spot the bird with my naked eye, view it up close with a binocular, picture it, listen to the sound it produced and learn a little of the birds’ characteristics.

Seeing and documenting birds in their natural habitat is indeed a joy. Best of all, the university presented this experience at no cost to the participants but whose value is priceless.

There is still a lot more like spotting more birds, knowing what endemic means and subscribing to bird related advocacy on protection.