Yes, I do Steps, but long before Steps came along walking was more than my go-to everyday exercise. I loved walkiing and wandering around the streets in big cities, including London and Budapest, as well as Los Angeles where I used to live, just to see the sights. It was like taking a voyage of discovery. New shops, new cafes, new vistas, narrow side streets and sometimes whole new cultures appeared as I ambled around.
I also like walking and listening in forests and parks and in cities like Tucson, where I live now. For a city with a population of over 500,000 Tucson is quiet. And as a newcomer (a few years ago) to the city I realized that on walks in my neighborhood I heard birds, only one of which I could easily identify. Mourning Doves are everywhere and were also fairly common on L.A. so I knew what that “Koo Kooing” meant: “Baby Mourning Doves coming soon.”
Then a friend suggested that I download the Merlin Bird ID app for my phone. Developed by Cornell University’s Ornithology Lab, it’s free for your smart phone in the Android and Apple app stores. Then download the bird pack for your area.
With that in your phone you can identify birds by description, by sound, or by photo when you’re outside on the patio or taking a walk. It offers you detailed information as well as a life list feature.
Suddenly Mourning Doves were not the only kind of bird that I found were chirping, squawking and singing around me. Images and information about hummingbirds, red hawks, cactus wrens, and roadrunners popped up on my screen. It also is an excellent aid for bird listening, a complementary practice that focuses on identifying birds by their songs and calls.
Next Step: buy binoculars and join one of the local birdwatcher groups.
Take Part in the Annual Bird Census
Both Cornell University and the Audubon Society conduct bird censuses in North America. In the Annual Bird Census you would count birds and contribute to science. Bird censuses, like the Christmas Bird Count in the U.S. and the Great Backyard Bird Count, are annual events where birders of all skill levels can contribute to scientific data collection. as well as making new friends.
These counts help track bird populations and migration patterns, providing valuable information for conservation efforts. The annual Audubon Christmas Day Bird Count across North America has already revealed that the home range for many birds is extending northward as the climate changes.
Similar events take place worldwide, such as the Big Garden Birdwatch in the UK and the Aussie Backyard Bird Count in Australia.
Significant Places for Bird Watching
The United States:
Cape May, New Jersey: Renowned for its bird migration routes, Cape May offers a stunning display of birds, especially raptors, during the fall migration.
Everglades National Park, Florida: A diverse ecosystem home to a wide variety of bird species, including herons, egrets, and the endangered wood stork.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina: Known for its rich biodiversity, this region is excellent for spotting warblers, vireos, and other songbirds.
The Mississippi River Flyway.
International Bird-Watching Spots:
The Pantanal, Brazil: One of the largest wetlands in the world, the Pantanal is home to a vast array of bird species, including the hyacinth macaw and the jabiru stork.
Kruger National Park, South Africa: Famous for its “Big Five” mammals, Kruger is also a paradise for bird-watchers, with species like the lilac-breasted roller and the southern ground hornbill.
New Zealand: Known for its unique birdlife, including the kiwi, kea, and the rare black stilt.
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