Best Ways to Connect with Other Birders - From Birders

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Birding Tools Podcast.

In this episode, I’ll be diving into the best ways to connect with fellow birders. Of course, in our current times, it’s challenging to feel like we’re really connecting, but most of these can be done distanced safely or virtually to engage with the birding community.

I’ve asked a big group of birders about their experiences connecting with other people who love birds. I’d love to hear from you about whether any of these resonate with you, or if your connection method isn’t on this list!

Speaking of connecting birders, skip to [8:30] to learn more about the Black and Latinx Birders Scholarship, applications for which are being accepted until 1 November.

Oh, and I’d love to see you over at our Birding Tools Facebook Community! Connect with other birders and post your birding photos, wins, and questions – can’t wait to see you there.

Here’s how the episode goes

[0:45] There are five things that I think help new birders get started – one of the most important of these five points is connecting with other birders. Here are some of the best ways to connect with your fellow birders.

[2:38] Randomly at your local park or refuge: This is one of the most common ways that birders have said they meet new birders! If you’ve ever been walking out at your local park or have even gone birding there, it’s probably a pretty good chance you have seen another bird watcher finding some new birds or just enjoying the scenery.

[3:42] At birding stakeouts: When a rare bird is reported by whatever means, sometimes on local birding Facebook groups or eBird, birders will come together at the site of the reported bird.

[5:08] At birding festivals: While this year many birding festivals have been canceled or postponed, some are going virtual and even virtually, it’s still a really great way to meet other birders.

[6:24] Large-scale birding events: We just had the October Big Day and similar to this event is the Christmas Bird Count in December into January, the Backyard Bird Count in February, and the May Big Day.

[9:34] Planned birding adventures and trips: Right now, it’s hard to travel around, but one thing that’s really important to realize is that you really don’t have to go very far at all to have a birding adventure. Even walks around your neighborhood can yield something completely new and open your eyes to something you might not have seen otherwise.

[12:47] Local bird club meetings or walks: Local bird clubs through Audubon societies, universities, community groups, and more is a really good way to connect with people in your community.

[15:11] Social media groups: There are loads of wonderful groups out there connecting with birders in different ways, and social media makes it so easy to do this virtually now.

Click here to listen!

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Links Mentioned in this Podcast

The links mentioned in this episode are specific to the Global Big Day and Global Birding Weekend, which are both worldwide events. If you aren’t finding the resources you need to participate in these events, please reach out!