TIPS   AND  
QUIZZES.....
Wear Vests
   With Lots of Pockets!!
Wearing vests with pockets not only helps to hold all your gear (guide book, water bottle, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, energy bars, etc) but will alleviate back strain by evenly distributing the weight of all that "stuff". 
TIPS FOR SPRING/SUMMER

-Remeber water:  both for the birds in your yard and for yourself when out there on the trails birding.  Always carry water with you no matter if it's hot or cold out.

- Dress in light layers.  I multiple layers give more flexibility.  Light, but long sleeves, helps fight against insect bites. 

- Don't forget that hat, keeps your head cool and the sun from your eyes!

- Ticks!!!  They are a real problem on Long Island, so protect yourself!
There are lots of good products that work well; I find a non-toxic spray on my skin and then something more heavy duty on my clothes works well.  If in the brush, tuck your pants inside your long pants; dont' worry how it looks, be safe!

- Always carry protein bars with you in case you get carried away watching those birds and forget about the time. 

- If birding alone in deep woods, carry a cell phone for emergencies!
Harness those Binoculars!!
One way to further alleviate back and neck strain is to get a harness for your binocs.  With a harness the binocs won't pull on the back of your neck.  If you would rather not use a harness, sling the strap for your binoculars across your chest instead of around your neck...that will help too.
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TIPS FOR BIRDERS
KNOW YOUR BINOCULARS: Your most important equipment!
Glossary of Binocular Terms
Close Focus: Ability to focus on objects within 10 feet of the binoculars
Exit Pupil: Amount of light seen when holding the eyepiece 12 inches from the eye
Eye Relief: The greatest distance you can hold the binocular from your eye to see the widest field of view.
Field of View: The width of an area seen at 1000 yards, expressed in feet
Lens Coating:  reduces the amount of light reflected from the glass lenses inside the binocular;  it improves the contrast of the image seen.
Magnification: amount of enlargement seen through the eyepiece.  Example: 8x42 means the birds is magnified 8 times.
Objective Lens: largest lens visible to the birder.  8x42 model binocular means the objective lens is 42mm in diameter.
Ocular Lens: smaller lens visible to the birder.
Prisms: located between the ocular and objective lenses.  Prisms reverse the image created by the lens to be seen correctly by the birder.
Porro Prism: when the prisms sit at an angle to each other; eyepiece not aligned with objective lens
Roof Prism: The prisms and the eyepiece are aligned with objective lens.
Twilight Factor: indicates the ability to gather light in low-light conditions.   The higher the number the better.
Take the Monthly Bird Quiz
with the American Birding Association
(click here)
A Site About Long Island Birds & Birdwatching
BABY BIRD RESCUE - WHAT TO DO!! (click here for information)
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