A Short Introduction to Birdwatching

Birdwatching, sometimes referred to as 'birding', is all about observing and studying birds. Though much of the study can prove extremely rewarding without the need to wander too far from one's own garden, there comes a time when there's a needs to visit other habitats - at home or abroad.
Some of the world's ten thousand bird species can be identified without the need for specialist equipment - those that we see every day in and about our garden and home -  but the budding birdwatcher will eventually recognise that binoculars - and sometimes a telescope - are essential to his or her hobby.
The word ornithology sounds very grand and academic, but it's simply intended to illustrate that point beyond which birdwatching ceases to be simply a social or recreational pastime. Though the records contained on this site are plainly the result of ornithological pursuit, I would not describe myself as anything other than a birdwatcher.
You'll see from my life list that I've recorded about 5% of all the world's species.

Surveys:

Cotton's Wood;	Rayleigh Sewage Treatment Works;
Gusted Hall Wood;	The Scrubs;
Primrose Wood;	Two Tree Island.