Beginners Essentials

Well first of all, welcome to the forum Joss! You've come to the right place for friendly advice and help!!

A good book can only be judged by the beholder and I'm sure there are many people on here that would recommend lots of different ones for various reasons! Very often, each book has a merit of its own (better call description, better behaviour information or better plumage details!). Personally I think that the Hamlyn guide to the birds of Britain & Europe it pretty good!

If the purse strings are a little tight, go for the charity shops! I've bought countless good birding books (amongst others!!) in them!

There has been some discussion on recommended 'bins' on here if you do a search (might be quicker than me searching then copy & pasting them here!)

 Edit: here's one: http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/forums/p/5101/42445.aspx#42445 complete with the RSPB factfile for choosing bins! 

The Collins Bird Guide is one of the most popular and covers all UK birds and many rarities, there is a revised edition just out so look out for second hand bargains in bookshops, charity shops and on ebay as people 'update'.

I plan to update when the paperpback is released in the new year, mainly because mine is getting very tatty from use, after all it is a book that is intended to be bashed about at the bottom of a rucksack rather than sitting on a book shelf.

The RSPB do a good one with photos rather than colourdrawings and is often easier to compare the 'genuine article' with a photo, the only draw back is this book doesn't cover as many plumage variations, which is sometimes very useful.

I do have one or two other field guides, but these are the two I mainly refer to.

Further to previous reply, sorry didn't realise you mentioned binoculars too.

Depends how much you want to spend, you do get what you pay for, but there are some really good entry level bargains to be had, check out the well know companies such as In Focus, Cley Spy and the RSPB shops, don't be scared off by all the expensive Leicas etc, most of these shops will have a budget range and also second hand, and the staff really know there stuff .  Do what we did - tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is, also you will be able to try before you buy.

Good luck

Hello Joss, I also use the Collins Bird Guide as my favourite book to always have with me. As you have already been advised, shop around and always try the bins. outside of the shop.

hi joss

i also use the collins but cross reference it with the kingfisher field guild , birds of britain and europe, one is photo and one is drawings as sometimes the one book just isnt enough! ha ha ha. I got my bins from a booty! great place for a bargin and they do the trick. it is a very addictive hobby but so rewarding! good luck and have fun!

Hi Joss

I  would echo all other posts

I use the collins also but the one you get when you join the RSPB, Peter Haymann n  Rob Humes  - Birdwatcher's pocket guide I'm sure would serve well. As for Binoculars, the RSPB shops always have a  stock and  great advide is always given, and you can try them out  outside.

Enjoy

Hi Joss & welcome :-)  As well as getting a 'spotter's guide' type book (of which there are many!) you might like to take a look at Simon Barnes excellent little book "How to be a bad birdwatcher" - which, despite the title, is actually an entertaining guide to how to watch and enjoy birds - very easy reading, and will help you get started.

One of the tips he gives is don't worry about spending a lot on binoculars - any will do to start you off (try secondhand shops, for example). You can always get a better pair when you feel you have a good idea about what would best suit you. Oh yes, and the more local your idenitifcation guide is, the better (ie you don't need to know about all the birds of the world if you're in your local back garden or partk!)

Have fun!

Hi Joss welcome to the forum.

With regards to buying a pair of binoculars there are quite a few things to consider. Please click on the link below. I could list them but it would take you some time reading all the info.

There are plenty of good and bad binoculars around. The following link to the RSPB how to chose binoculars will steer you in the right direction.   

http://www.rspb.org.uk/youth/discover/environment/binoculars/index.asp

The Following link is bird watching tips for beginners.

http://animals.about.com/od/birding/tp/birdidtips.htm

I would recommend doing a google search for books such as  Birding for beginners, or go along to a local library and get some for free before making a purchase!

Hope this helps and good luck with your birding.

Regards Buzzard

Hello Joss,

Don't feel you have to have all the gear - a bird is just as beautiful whether or not you know its name.

Wildlife watching is free, you can do it anywhere with just your eyes and ears.  I find the one thing that really improves my enjoyment of wildlife is a friend to share the experience!  Your uni might have a wildlife club, and the RSPB local groups are a great way to learn from 'old hands'.

The best bird book in my opinion for a beginner is the RSPB Handbook of British Birds.  Because it's only British birds, it won't confuse you with a load of birds that look the same but don't occur here, and  there's more space for information - it tells you what they eat, where they migrate to, how long they live...  All these things make it more interesting than just identifying the bird.  When you become more confident you might want to get a book of Eurpoean birds such as the Collins one mentioned above, but I found in my early birding life these were confusing and frustrating - and sometimes they still are.  I have a whole shelf full of bird books but it's always the RSPB Handbook I go back to.  The best thing is, if you're not a member yet you can join the RSPB and get this book as your free welcome gift.  Then you can visit all the reserves for free, and the magazine will help you learn more as well.  And you'll feel smug every time you see a bird because you're helping them!

The RSPB shops do some basic binoculars, I just looked on the website and they start at about 25 pounds.  Charity shops often have binoculars but they're usually ancient and have been knocked out of alignment so you can't focus them properly; try them out, and only buy them if they're perfect as it's not worth the headaches later.

Lastly, RSPB volunteers get discount in the shops, so if you've got some free time you could save a lot of money and get some work experience at the same time.  Oh, and meet lovely people!

I hope that helps.  Do shout if you've any more questions - this place is full of nice people who love to help.

LuckyBustard

Hi,

Birding is a continuous learning process :)) It probably goes something like this.

Binoculars

Field guide

Note book/ dictaphone

Where to watch birds guide to your county

RSPB membership

Subscription to a bird magazine

Telescope and tripod

Advanced fieldguides

Visits to more distant locations

etc etc

There is an excellent book called 'Discover birds' by DIM Wallace published in the 1970s- probably findable second hand.

S