How to Keep a Birdwatching Journal

Keeping a bird watching journal will help you “see” the birds that you are observing clearly and completely.  This is because noting in your journal what you see will make your eyes active participants in what is going on around you. The journal can also help you predict the type of birds you may see on a specific day.

Things That You Will Need

• A blank notebook


• A pen


• A pencil


• Watercolors, crayons or markers

1. Write down the date at the top of the notebook page.


2. Write down the location of your observations underneath the date.


3. Make note of the weather, including: the day high and low temperatures and whether it is sunny, raining, thunder storming, snowing, windy, etc.  You can even make note of cloud formations.


4. Make note of what has recently bloomed and what is now blooming as this may affect the types of birds that you see.


5. Write down what types of birds you observe and what they are doing.


6. Write down the overall size of the birds that you are observing along with the color and size of their bill, the color of their eyes, legs and feet (if they can be seen).


7. Write down notes about the color and pattern of the bird’s plumage.  Make note of what the side of its head, neck, back, rump, tail, wings, chin, throat, breast and belly all look like and what color they are.  Observe whether or not there are any crests or ornamental feathers as well.


8. Describe the bird’s call in your own words.


9. Describe what the bird is doing.


10. Make a quick sketch of the bird.