What do I need to begin bird watching?

Curiosity! You don’t need any special gear, but there are some things that help. A pair of binoculars will allow you to see more details on the birds. A bird identification guide — or field guide — is also useful. Make sure you choose a guide for birds that live in your region. You might also keep a small birding journal. In it, you can sketch the birds you see or note any marks or behaviors that you’d like to record.