Why You Should Be A Birder

There are 47 million birders—those who watch birds as a hobby, in the U.S. Birding can be fun for both kids and adults, from your own backyard to exploring the wilderness. You can enjoy this adventure alone, in groups or plan a family outing.

Birdwatching is popular because there are so many varieties of birds that change with the seasons, making Illinois a year-round birdwatching haven. It is also rather inexpensive to get started and allows you to walk, get some fresh air, and learn about nature.

What You Need

A bird field guide to help you identify birds and where to look for them, maybe a notebook if you want to document your journey and discoveries. And of course, a pair of binoculars. The binoculars you decide on buying is really where your investment lies. Stop into your local Rural King Supply to see all of the great quality options we offer! For best results, it is recommended to settle around a 7x or 8x42 optic.

What does that mean?

The 7x is the power of the binoculars or the magnification ability. A 7x or 8x works best for birdwatching because they are bright and have a wide field of view to allow finding and following birds easier. The 42 is the diameter of the lens in millimeters. Larger than 42mm will add more weight and smaller than 30mm tend to make your view darker.

There are plenty of birdwatching clubs and events held throughout the year to add a bit of social fun for a relaxing day out with friends. You can search on Google for local events, or contact your local DNR chapter to see if they have any events coming up. They even hold events to go bald eagle spotting in western Illinois!

Lastly, don't forget to feed the birds this winter! We stock lots of birdseed including the popular black oil sunflower seed. Stop by your local Rural King Supply soon to check it out!