Birdwatching is an experience that allows you to slow down in your busy life. Imagine strolling beside a quiet lake on a misty autumn morning, geese calling overhead as they head south; or wandering a spring forest trail where bursts of color from songbirds light up the new green leaves. These fascinating creatures can bring a lot of vitality to a dull life. Birdwatching is not just about seeing, it's a way of life that reconnects you with nature and allows you to experience the changing seasons. Even beginners can find suitable birdwatching spots across the vast United States by observing environmental changes and utilizing available resources. This article will summarize some tips for finding birdwatching locations, hoping to help you find your target bird species.

Wetlands and waterfront areas:

Waterbirds cannot live without water. Therefore, wetlands, lakes, and riverbanks are good locations for watching them. They are naturally leisurely and spend most of their time confined, making them ideal for beginners. Take the  Great Blue Heron for example. This large wading bird inhabits in both freshwater and saltwater environments, including marshes, wetlands, riverbanks, and even the intertidal zone. At dawn or dusk, walking on wetland boardwalks or along streams flowing through cities, you can often spot herons, pelicans, and other wading birds, leisurely foraging among the aquatic plants. Open lakes and freshwater ponds are paradises for Canada geese and mallards, especially in winter before and after the water freezes, when they gather in large flocks.

Forests and woodland edges:

The lush leaves and the small berries growing on shrubs provide a perfect habitat for small forest birds and songbirds. Here, birds have enough resources to nest and raise their young during the spring and summer. Walking along the forest trails, you might hear the woodpeckers tapping on tree trunks or spot a fleeting red silhouette that's a cardinal flitting through the woods. 

Some birds prefer the security of deep woodlands, while others favor forest edges. For example, several species of  owls and hawks in North America (such as the Red-shouldered hawk) often nest at the forest edge and fly to nearby open areas to hunt. So if you come to a forest, pay attention to the boundary between open and dense woodland, you might see owls swooping down from the forest edge to catch prey in the fields.

Grasslands and Open Areas:

Grasslands, farmlands, and other open areas are havens for birds of prey. Look up at the sky; you can often see eagles and falcons circling and searching high above. The Red-tailed Hawk, common in North America, prefers to hunt over open fields and forest clearings, especially wide, expansive terrain. Similarly, open waters are also suitable for birds of prey such as ospreys that feed on fish to hunt. If you're in an open rural area, look for telephone poles and tree tops —— you might spot a predator perched there.

City Parks and Backyard Gardens:

While busy daily life may not provide enough time for a perfect birdwatching trip in the wild, we still have the city parks and community gardens around. Urban green spaces and waterways often serve as "refueling stations" for migratory birds. For example, in bustling metropolises like New York, Central Park can be a birdwatching paradise every spring, with colorful warblers and tanagers taking shelter in this oasis surrounded by skyscrapers. 

Even in your own backyard, you can create a private birdwatching spot. Planting native plants and hanging our Birdsnap bird feeders can attract common birds like hummingbirds and robins. The Birdsnap feeders are also equipped with 24-hour real-time cameras that dynamically monitor bird activity and save video, allowing you to enjoy birdwatching even after a long day. Birdwatching doesn't require traveling thousands of miles; surprises are everywhere around us.

Choose friendly trails and facilities:

First, try to choose locations with gentle trails and good facilities. For example, many nature parks and wildlife reserves have built flat walking trails or boardwalks accessible to visitors of all ages. These trails are usually designed with rest areas in mind, with benches, gazebos, or shaded areas along the way for birdwatchers to sit and rest.

Make good use of apps like eBird and iNaturalist:

As the birdwatching community grows, more and more birdwatching apps can help bird enthusiasts locate birdwatching spots. For example, eBird has a lot of bird species information and sightings recorded by birdwatchers, sometimes dating back a month. Using these apps can accurately pinpoint local birdwatching hotspots and allow you to plan ahead based on local bird information, avoiding "wasted" trips.

Go with companions for more fun:

Birdwatching is a social activity! Joining a local birdwatching club or outing is a great option. Many local Audubon chapters or nature centers regularly organize birdwatching trips. They typically choose easy-to-walk routes with high bird diversity, and led by experienced guides. Following their social media accounts or chat groups often provides firsthand bird information. Hiking in the wild with a group of like-minded people, exchanging ideas in a relaxed atmosphere, also makes birdwatching easier.

"Don't just bury your head in taking notes; occasionally look up and enjoy the moment the birds bring." 

Birdwatching isn't about who knows the most species. It's about reminding us to stay curious and patient, to discover the extraordinary beauty in ordinary scenery with the eyes of a child. When you quietly admire a bird spreading its wings and soaring into the sky, or observe it preening its feathers by the water, these moments tell us that life can slow down, and the details are worth to enjoy.