eBirdseed.com Wild Bird Feeding Blog: Simple Birding Gear and the Great Backyard Bird Count

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We just recorded our backyard feathered visitors for the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)... But more of that (and the photo above) in a minute.

It dawned on me that some of you reading this are on a bus or a train reading a Kindle, or sitting in your cubicle at work. Wherever... But there are some who still miss out on the peaceful and enjoyable hobby of watching birds. With that in mind, here's a quick rundown (with low-ball costs) of the items I frequently use in my birding pursuits:

A bird feeder and some birdseed (Thirty dollars, though a stroll in the park will do, too.)
A bird book (You can pick up a decent used Peterson, Sibley, or Smithsonian book on-line for $10 to $20.)
Just a simple pen and a pad of paper
A decent pair of binoculars ($50)
A small digital camera and tripod ($150)

All told, we're talking a couple hundred dollars, give or take. Not bad for a lifetime hobby, especially in these "stay-cation" times. If you want to, you can spend another $600 to embellish your kit to include stuff like the gear in the photo above.