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Birding on the Web Birding is a great way to connect with wildlife and the natural world. John Muir himself was captivated the abundance of avian species he could observe in Yosemite throughout the year, from common robins to golden eagles. Awareness of bird populations is also an important indicator of the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. Although successful birding requires little in the way of equipment (a good binocular, a field guide), its simplicity is misleading. The intellectual challenges of accurate species identification can take a lifetime to master, which is why birders have both an insatiable thirst for information and a strong inclination to share their knowledge. Both of these activities are ideally suited to the Web, which is why there are a profusion of birding Web sites. Here are three favorites: BirdSource An interactive site with an emphasis on conservation and environmental learning. Contains the results of Christmas Bird Counts for the past 100 years. Birding.com A good site for beginning birders. A new bird, hot spot and state/province are featured every few weeks or so. Virtual Birder An Internet magazine where birders can test their identification skills and visit birding hotspots. Photo above courtesy Freestockphotos.com. Up to Top