Birding Basics
Binoculars
● Binocular quality is a key factor in birding enjoyment. Try before you buy and get
the best binoculars you can afford. The magnification recommended for birding is
8x42. Contrary to how it might seem, higher magnification just makes finding the
birds more difficult.
Identification and Tracking
● Guidebooks (two of many)
○ National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
○ The Sibley Guide to Birds
● Apps
○ Merlin Bird ID (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
■ Helps you ID birds from description, picture, or sound. Also has an
“explore birds” option for more information or comparison. It
coordinates with eBird. Worldwide data.
○ eBird (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a massive citizen
science project, free online module that teaches you how to use it
■ You can create and save lists of the birds you’ve seen on a walk or
in a certain place. You can find places where others go to see birds.
Very helpful for planning outings and discovering what birds have
been seen where you’re going. You can use the “explore birds”
option to learn more about birds you are seeing. Worldwide data.
○ Sibley Birds ($19.99, no ads)
■ ID by description. Great for comparing birds to help with ID. Learn
about the birds you are seeing. North America.
○ The Warbler Guide ($12.99, no ads)
■ Great for comparing different angle views of warblers to help with
ID. North America.
Learning More/ Community
● Cornell Lab of Ornithology
○ Offers very good online classes about birding and birds. Has many
resources for learning more about birds.
● Guided bird walks
○ Frontenac State Park Association
■ bit.ly/fspa-events
■ Coming dates: June 24, July 8, August 5 and 19, Sept. 23, Oct. 7
○ Zumbro Valley Audubon
■ https://zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/calendar.html
■ Monthly bird walk at Quarry Hill Nature Center
○ Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
■ https://mrvac.org/events/
■ Single day walks and weekends around the state, also sponsor
trips farther afield.
● Frontenac State Park Association
○ Tag us on Instagram @fsapassociation
Contact:
Binoculars
● Binocular quality is a key factor in birding enjoyment. Try before you buy and get
the best binoculars you can afford. The magnification recommended for birding is
8x42. Contrary to how it might seem, higher magnification just makes finding the
birds more difficult.
Identification and Tracking
● Guidebooks (two of many)
○ National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
○ The Sibley Guide to Birds
● Apps
○ Merlin Bird ID (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
■ Helps you ID birds from description, picture, or sound. Also has an
“explore birds” option for more information or comparison. It
coordinates with eBird. Worldwide data.
○ eBird (free, no ads), from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a massive citizen
science project, free online module that teaches you how to use it
■ You can create and save lists of the birds you’ve seen on a walk or
in a certain place. You can find places where others go to see birds.
Very helpful for planning outings and discovering what birds have
been seen where you’re going. You can use the “explore birds”
option to learn more about birds you are seeing. Worldwide data.
○ Sibley Birds ($19.99, no ads)
■ ID by description. Great for comparing birds to help with ID. Learn
about the birds you are seeing. North America.
○ The Warbler Guide ($12.99, no ads)
■ Great for comparing different angle views of warblers to help with
ID. North America.
Learning More/ Community
● Cornell Lab of Ornithology
○ Offers very good online classes about birding and birds. Has many
resources for learning more about birds.
● Guided bird walks
○ Frontenac State Park Association
■ bit.ly/fspa-events
■ Coming dates: June 24, July 8, August 5 and 19, Sept. 23, Oct. 7
○ Zumbro Valley Audubon
■ https://zumbrovalleyaudubon.org/calendar.html
■ Monthly bird walk at Quarry Hill Nature Center
○ Minnesota River Valley Audubon Chapter
■ https://mrvac.org/events/
■ Single day walks and weekends around the state, also sponsor
trips farther afield.
● Frontenac State Park Association
○ Tag us on Instagram @fsapassociation
Contact:
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