Birdwatching technique - woodland habitat.

[Deb London]

Hi people of the birding world,

When watching birds in woodland where the trees still hold their leaves, I heard it was a useful technique to view a ride/path and spot the birds as they fly from one side to the other. Does this actually work? Any other tips?

Thanks as always,

Deb

[aeshna5]

That sounds a good tip + edge habitat can often be productive, so I quite often walk around the edge of a wood, especially if I have the sun behind me to give good light on the birds + also when it is cooler the birds appreciate the warmth + may also produce more active insects for birds to feed on.

The other useful tip is to be familiar with the calls of the birds so you can tell what is about. I will often detect the presence of a species in a mixed flock by the call intially + then locate it visually.

[Deb London]

Thanks for the advice aeshna5.

[Acipiter]

It does work deb, I spend most of my birding this way, what I have found is the pace you walk at is the most important, take it nice and slow, and stop and wait now and again, you will find the birds will often come to you this way. I know it sounds so simple, but I have found it works. If its birds like sparrowhawks you are after seeing, walking the outside edge of the wood works too, even though it may be just a short glimpse that you get.

[JeffH]

Some good advice there Deb from aeshna5 and Acipiter and these techniques certainly work. The only thing I would add is that personally I find that I usually see more whilst standing/sitting still than whilst actually walking so do spend at least as much time sitting or leaning against the bases of trees along your route as you do on the move

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[artdemole]

When walking the local wood have always gone most of the way by the path.Except a known spot for the owls.Also a wet area within the wood.The wildlife and birds will be used to walkers.The stop and stare time also comes into practise.If Birds fly off then they may come back to the area.As fields and valley at edge then a lot of flybys can also be seen.All this can take at least 3 hours.A dogwalker will do it in just over an hour.But then so much is missed.Walking the wood every season helps to know what can be found and seen.Times are daylight as one has to have a care these days....aDm...

[Deb London]

Thanks very much Acipiter, Jeff and aDm.

I must learn to be patient, and walk slowly or stand still.

[Acipiter]

If you have the time Deb, just sit under a tree in a woodland glade, that works just fine. What more could one want then just to let the world go by, and watch the birds.

[Dogghound]

I think the key to woodland birding is concentrate on habitat features such as rides, woodland edge, glades, streams, ponds, dead trees, fallen trees, areas of mixed age, young trees...... and so on these are the habitats which have more food like invertebrates and fruits due to more light, micro-habitats, nesting opportunities etc. These areas hold birds rather than thick stands on similar aged/structured trees.

Learning the calls is pivotal to success in woodland as your view is so reduced. Also home in on tit flocks, it can be worth wandering through quiet areas until you find a tit flock then wait and check all of these birds its often these that produce the yellow-browed warbler or firecrest or more usually goldcrest, nuthatch or treecreeper. Areas of birch and willow are particularly good for these groups.

Learning about the bird biology also helps and what different birds like, not just so for breeding but all year around. For example 9 times out of 10 its the sunny side of a woodland ride that holds a winter roosting tawny owl or the siskins are feeding in the alders by the river, the spotted flycatcher is breeding in Ivy on the edge of the glade, nuthatch is in association of oaks or bullfinch in birch scrub on woodland edge. Try and remember and take notes and think why would a bird be here or not? where is species A likely to be? what is the weather/time of year like where will the food be etc.

[billybirder]

I am working, but a quick look through this thread and I feel like I have been walking my patch... lovely!! Thanks all!