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10 Best Lightweight Birdwatching Binoculars (2024 Review)

best lightweight birdwatching binoculars
SaleBestseller No. 1
Viigytek Vigytek Smart Bird Camera with Glass Suction Cup, 2K HD Wired Bird Watching Camera, 2.4GHz...
  • 【AI Bird Identification】Equipped with AI bird identification (30-day trial), it can identify and...
  • 【2K HD Camera with Auto-Capture】Equipped with a 2K HD camera, it automatically captures photos...
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Bestseller No. 2
Hibird 4K HD Smart Bird Feeder Camera Solar Powered, 2.4G/5G Dual WiFi Wireless Outdoor, 6X Slow...
  • High-Speed Shooting: Capture 4K HD video of different bird wing vibration frequencies at up to 30...
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Bestseller No. 3
NETVUE by Birdfy Upgraded Smart Bird Feeder Camera, Solar Powered, Auto Bird Video Capture, Instant...
  • 【Make Your All Traditional Feeders Smart】 Dedicated to serving bird lovers and protectors, We...
  • 【Never Miss A Bird Visit】Still watch birds by binocular? NETVUE smart bird feeder with camera...
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Field Guide for Bird Watching

You most likely want to know about the birds you see, not just the way they look.

If you’re traveling, you can use a comprehensive field guide for birders, like one from National Geographic or the ever-popular Sibley Guide. Or, if you’re sticking to one region (like state birds), you can get a guide that will give you an even more detailed look at local birds.

Sale
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, 7th Edition
  • Alderfer, Jonathan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 592 Pages - 09/12/2017 (Publication Date) - National Geographic (Publisher)
Sale
The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition
  • Sibley Guide To Birds, 2nd Ed
  • Sibley, David Allen (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)

Bird Feeder

Another way to attract birds is to get a bird feeder. You can put this on your backyard or porch. Over time, birds will slowly learn your location as a food source.

You can gradually establish trust with the birds this way and eventually get closer to them in your own home than you would anywhere else. You could also put the feeders in a place you can see through your window or door and take pictures of birds that way too!

SaleBestseller No. 1
Birdbuddy PRO Solar Smart Bird Feeder with Camera - AI Bird Species Identification, 5MP Photos, 2K...
  • AI-POWERED BIRDWATCHING APP: The Birdbuddy app uses AI to identify bird species and individual...
  • ADVANCED HD+ BIRD FEEDER CAMERA: The 2x larger sensor supports HDR for stunning contrasts and...
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SaleBestseller No. 2
Youvip Metal Roof Bird Feeder - Chew Proof for Outdoor Hanging Wild Bird Seeds. Bronze
  • Chew-Proof Metal Build: The top and base of this bird feeder are made of metal. Advanced metal...
  • 2 Steps Disassemble Easy Clean Thoroughly: No tools needed! Disassemble in just 30 seconds. Easy to...
  • One-Handed Refilling Made Simple: Press the roof button and slide up to lock it in place on the...
Bestseller No. 3
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  • Metal Bird Feeders for Outdoors Hanging

Bird Feeder Options

Depending on your region and the season, you could get:

  • a sunflower
  • suet
  • hummingbird feeder

It may seem obvious, but some may not realize that it is pointless to put up loads of hummingbird feeders and sugar water during the winter if hummingbirds have migrated and aren’t in the area at that time. Besides, in most climates, the water would freeze anyway!

Check your local bird or animal supply store, and you could ask them, or you could do some research online to determine what’s best.

A Birdwatching Notebook

If you like to document the birds you’ve seen, it’s easiest to keep track of them in a notebook!

You can do this for various purposes, such as:

  • Trying to see all the birds in a specific region
  • Increasing your knowledge for your birding club
  • Use it for mental health and journal what you did that day and any birds you saw as a therapeutic activity
Bestseller No. 1
Bird Watching Log Book: Awesome Birding Journal for Bird Watchers & Birders - Birding Field Notebook...
  • Editions, Prodigy Paper (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 109 Pages - 07/13/2023 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2
The Sibley Birder's Life List and Field Diary
  • Sibley, David Allen (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 304 Pages - 03/14/2017 (Publication Date) - Clarkson Potter (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3
Clever Fox Birder's Journal Pocket – Bird Watcher Log Book & Nature Journal for Adults – Best...
  • RECORD, REFLECT & RELIVE YOUR SIGHTINGS – Whether you’re new to birdwatching or a seasoned...
  • TRACK ESSENTIAL DETAILS WITH EASE – Each birding journal log includes fields for date, time,...
  • ONE OF THE BEST BIRD LOVER GIFTS – This birding book has sections to list birds you hope to spot,...

Birdwatching Apps

You could also document your birds through an app, which tracks where and when you go, and you can even join a community of like-minded people.

You could also see what people you know are doing, what they have seen, and share experiences through apps as well. Others may help you or give you ideas as to places you haven’t looked at yet.

However, apps have more than one use!

While they can help you join a community through virtual means, they can also double as your notebook mentioned in the previous step.

Apps can help with bird identification, providing sounds and pictures included (even more helpful than a regular field guide!)

Using an app on your phone can also limit the amount of stuff you carry. The less you have to pull out of your pack, the less noise you’ll be making!

Not only that, but some apps give you things to do while you’re waiting, such as learn more about birds or answer bird trivia to strengthen your knowledge base.

You could even watch informational videos or tutorials on bird watching while you’re waiting too!

Bestseller No. 1
Bird Feeder with Camera,2K Live View,WiFi Smart Bird House with Cam Solar Powered for Outdoor,Night...
  • 【AI Identify and Arrive Notification】(1)Smart bird feeder with camera built-in AI, can...
  • 【Powerful】Bird camera feeder equipped with a 170 degree wide angle lens, wide field of view,...
  • 【Easy Installation and Multiple Mounting Options】Referring to the enclosed instruction manual,...
Bestseller No. 2
Smart Bird Feeder with Camera, Solar Powered WiFi WildBird Watching Camera with AI Bird Recognition,...
  • 【Crystal Clear 2K Bird Watching — Smarter & Closer Than Ever】See every feather in stunning 2K...
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Bestseller No. 3
Smart Bird Feeder with Camera Outdoor: 2K Wild Bird Watching Video Cam - Unique Gifts for Nature...
  • 【2K Crystal-Clear & Color Night Vision】Witness feather details with quality 2K resolution and...
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  • 【Beginner-Friendly gifts&Family Sharing】Easy to install—even children/elderly people can...

Other Birders

Joining other birders in this activity is optional. You may like to join people in your bird watching endeavors, or perhaps you prefer to go solo.

Even if you see yourself going alone in the future, the best way to learn is through others – so perhaps you could at least start in a little bird watching group.

It could even be fun, and the knowledge you pick up through experience will surpass what you’re likely to gain from your own research!

You could even make friends with people who are interested in the same things as you are! They might also give you information about birding events and what they usually find.

The Takeaway

So, now you know a little more about what binoculars you need. You also know some insider tips on how to go about bird watching.

You know you can use apps and pictures to record what you see. And you know what to bring. You know all you really need to know to get started!

You’ll learn with time, experience, and research about types of birds. Whether you join a group or go solo – the choice is yours. Just make sure you have a good time and try to see some birds!

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