“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” - Vincent Can Gogh
I cannot believe it has been almost a year since our post on Birdwatching During the Pandemic. Where has the time gone? For some of us, it has flown by. As for others, being cooped up due to the virus has made the time drag on.
Since the lockdown began, the popularity of birdwatching has soared. This is due to many reasons. One of which is, people are bored. And once they start to notice the vast array of wildlife that visits their yard, they want to learn more.
Spring is Here and Migration has Begun
Now that Spring is finally here, things are going to get exciting. The birds are beginning to migrate, and mating season has already begun for some species. If you are lucky enough to know where there is a pair of Great Horned Owls, you can probably get a glimpse of their fluffy little babies. But do not harass them. They need their distance. And never post their location on Facebook or other social media sites.
At a time when it seems as though the world has lost its mind, birdwatchers are anxiously awaiting the return of their favorite feathered friends. This time of the year is thrilling. A trip to the grocery store is no longer a regular trip. Birdwatchers’ eyes are constantly searching the surrounding areas. They are looking for the first migrants to arrive.
For many people who began birdwatching during the pandemic, this is their first spring migration. They have no idea of what to expect. As for us seasoned birders, we have our checklists, binoculars and cameras ready to go.
If you need an Ohio Bird Checklist, we have two versions available. One is an alphabetized list of all the birds of Ohio. The other list is a breakdown of the birds of Ohio. We wanted you to be able to choose a list that would be easy for you to use.
Click on the links below to be taken to the free Ohio Bird Checklists on our Download Page.
There are Many Benefits to Birdwatching
Birdwatching has helped many people pass the time. But that is not the only benefit that comes from birdwatching.
The many benefits of birdwatching include:
Reduces anxiety
Is peaceful and calming
Improves your reflexes
You will become more patient
Motivates you to get outside
You will have an appreciation for nature
Improves mental alertness
Walking can improve your health
You have an excuse to travel
Reduces stress
Can bring family members together
How to Identify the Birds
If you are new to birdwatching, there are some easy ways to help you identify birds. It is a lot easier than it used to be. You no longer have to search through books to find a match. Today’s technology allows you to upload a picture to an app and get instant results. These results are not always perfect. But they can head you in the right direction.
Our favorite app for identifying birds is Merlin Bird ID. It is free and easy to use. It provides information such as geographic location, identifying features, calls and songs.
Even though books are not as easy to use as an app, they still come in handy. I still use my National Audubon Society Field Guide of Birds to this very day.
Print of one of our free printable PDF Birds of Ohio checklists to keep track of all the birds you see.
Get Outside and Enjoy the Beautiful Ohio Birds
The warm weather is quickly arriving, and the birds are slowly making their way North. Do not sit inside and waste your life watching the news. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and watch the birds. Even if you only go sit on your porch.
As much as we hate it, there is still a virus plaguing our world. Please stay safe and be respectful of others around you.
