OutdoorNebraska

w hat does it mean when people talk about "going birding?" Are they going to act like a bird? No! When people go birding, they are looking for birds in nature. Sometimes they look for as many birds as they can find, other times they look for a specific kind of bird they have never seen before. There are a few things you can do to make any birding trip more successful (and more fun!). Time of Day Because birds are most active early in the day, your best bet for finding birds is to head out first thing in the morning. Some birds start their day before the sun is even up. The earlier you head out, the more luck you will have. If you can't go in the morning you will still likely see some birds, just not as many. Time of Year In the spring, many bird species are returning from their warm wintering grounds in the south. During this migration time, you are likely to see many different kinds of birds. Some will stay in Nebraska for the summer, others are only passing through on their way north. In the summer, birds are breeding and caring for their young. Male (boy) birds sing loudly to impress female (girl birds). Male birds also defend their territory by singing while sitting on top of grasses and trees. Female birds are busy building nests and finding food for their babies (sometimes males help with this, too). All this work makes them easier to see. When fall arrives, many birds are again preparing to migrate south for the winter. They are eating lots of food and some gather in large flocks for their coming journey. And, although some birds migrate in the winter, many birds remain in Nebraska throughout the year. These birds are easy to see in winter because there are fewer leaves on the trees. No matter the season, the time is right to go bird watching! Location Nebraska has more than 400 species of birds that can be found in prairies, cities, farms, wetlands, ranches and forests. You can find birds nearly everywhere. But where is your best bet for finding birds? Well, it depends on the kind of bird. Prairie chickens are only going to be found on vast open prairies. Pigeons, on the other hand, are most likely going to be found in cities or towns. Your best bet for finding birds is to find their needs – food, water, and shelter. For beginning bird watchers, a bird feeder is a good spot to find birds. Birding 101: How to Go Birding and Enjoy It! 6 — BIRDOLOGY: A Kid's Book About Birds

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