I’m interested in doing more than just looking at my backyard birds, but isn’t birding an expensive hobby, with state-of-the-art equipment and a lot of travel?
A. Birding doesn’t have to be expensive, though it certainly can be for those who purchase the best optics, the most current electronic gadgets, and the airplane tickets to embark on world travel. But it can be equally satisfying, and sometimes even more so, to watch birds while spending very little money. You can have years of enjoyment with excellent binoculars costing less than $300 that will allow you to identify as many birds as those top-of-the-line ones. Investing $30 in a field guide can provide a lifelong reference for learning about hundreds of birds in your own area and anywhere else you may go in North America. And birding locally can provide endless enjoyment and excitement as you hone your skills and continually learn more about the diversity and behavior of birds. Read more about birding on a budget in BirdScope.
