Viewing Wildlife

Tools and Techniques for Wildlife Viewing

There is nothing quite as exciting as seeing animals in the wild. The fact that you can never be sure of what you will see helps to make watching wildlife a rewarding experience. Watching wildlife can be a goal in itself or it can be a nice addition to fishing or hiking expedition or any outing. Listed below are a number of things that you can do that will greatly increase you chances of seeing wildlife:

Binoculars are one of the most helpful tools a wildlife watcher can have. Binocular selection can be complicated, so learn all you can before you buy. The best all-purpose binoculars are those with power and dimensions of 7 x 35. This size binocular gathers a lot of light, allowing you to use them in the morning and evening. Finding what you are looking at can be made easier if you first locate the object with the naked eye. Then without moving your eyes bring the binoculars to your eyes and focus.

Clothing: Wear lots of layers so you can adjust to changing weather. The color of your clothes may affect what animals you see. Birds can see color well, so go with drab, earthy colors to help avoid detection.

Field Guides: Use field guides, checklists and other resources to identify wildlife and learn about habits and habitats. These reference materials can open up a world of information to enrich your experience.

Go out when wildlife is active: Plan your visit around peak viewing seasons or times of activity. There are several activity peaks in New Hampshire. The first is during April and June, when large numbers of migratory birds return and animals are busy raising their young. A second peak occurs in September and October as migratory birds begin to head south and mammals prepare for winter. The time of day also plays an important part in whether you will see animals or not. In general, wildlife is more active in the first and last hours of daylight.

Be patient; learn to be still and silent: You can improve your chances of seeing wildlife by slowing down. Take a few steps, stop, listen and look. Sharpen your senses by paying attention to sounds and smells. Look for changes in shape and movement all around you. Avoid making noise by not stepping on brittle sticks and leaves or talking out loud. If possible, walk into the wind. If you arrive at a wildlife viewing site expecting to see a lot of wildlife right away, you will probably be disappointed. You need to allow yourself time. In some cases, sitting motionless next to a tree or bush will allow you to blend into your surroundings and in turn the wildlife in the area will go about their daily routines.

Use a blind: You'll increase your chances of having a successful viewing experience if you can conceal yourself. This can be done by simply standing behind a tree or bush instead of out in the open. Cars, boats and canoes make excellent viewing blinds. Animals who are used to seeing these things may not feel threatened or disturbed unless you try to get out.

Prepare for your outing: Learn everything you can about a wildlife viewing site before you visit, and check for warnings about road conditions and weather. If it is a site you are hiking into, make sure you know where you are going and have water, proper footgear and clothes. During the spring and the summer, expect insects. Bring along repellents and wear protective clothing. A hat with a brim and good sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun while use of a sun block will protect your skin.