how to start birdwatching/wildlife watching in and around a city?

Question

i live on the outskirts of a city (leeds) surrounded by green belt. i have no garden to entice birds or animals into, and no spcial camera equipment. armed only with binoculars, what are the best ways of seeking out wildlife?
early morning or late at night? what kinds of wildlife are yo likely to see around urban/semi urban riverbeds and streams, woods and parks, and how do you maximise your chances?

Answer 1

You have started off well by buying a pair of binoculars which are an essential item you should also get a good field guide the birders 'bible' is the Collins guide to the Britain & Europe but for a beginner like you the RSPB Handbook of British Birds is excellent. You say that you live in the Leeds area perhaps it might be useful to to the paperback book 'Where to Watch Birds in Yorkshire' by John Mather and published by Christopher Helm it costs about £16. It will give you good tips on where to go birding in your area. Join your local wildlife trust or bird club or you may even have an RSPB local members group in your area contact the RSPB or wildlife trust for more details. It will help you immensely if you can find yourself a birding 'buddie' to go birdwatching with as you can learn an awful lot from someone with many years of wildlife watching under their belt. Many birders like myself started this way. But of course the best thing to do is to just get out there into the countryside and discover things for yourself. Watching wildlife is a fascinating hobby Iv'e been doing it off and on for about 40 years and every time I go out I learn something new about nature. Early morning is a good time to go out walking in a woodland in early spring in April or May and I mean early! at the crack of dawn to catch the dawn chorus especially if you have a decent oakwood near you learning bird songs and calls takes years of experience but you can do some revising during the winter by getting a CD on bird songs and calls. Birds are very active in the morning. Other wildlife such as badgers and otters is more elusive. If you wanted to watch badgers find out where your local setts (name for badger homes) and find out which entrances are used regularly and then sit and watch quietly with you back against a tree about 2 hours before sunset and 'downwind' as badgers have a very good sense of smell! and if they sense you they will just stay underground. They have acute hearing too so you must be quiet. Watching badgers can be an uncomfortable pastime but when you see a group of badgers emege from a sett and go about their business before your eyes it can be a very rewarding experience. There's lots more I can tell you! So good 'hunting'.
I wonder if you have water voles in your area? you may see those delightful but scace rodents in your local streams or perhaps grey and pied wagtails. Of course lots of birds and animals too will visit streams to get water. Find out what a badger footprint looks like and you may find their trail leading to the waters edge. Watching wildlife is a bit like detective work piecing together all the information to build up a picture of the unseen wildlife around you.

Answer 2

You can see birds anywhere there is habitat, and it sounds like you have that nearby with the greenbelt you describe.

Simply go to a green spot and scan the edges where grass and fields interface with trees and other taller vegetation. Early mornings usually yield best results but in the winter birds tend to be active most of daylight hours because their caloric intake is increased while food decreases. If it is really cold you may not see too many birds in your area until spring.

The main thing to seeing birds is getting out there and looking.

Answer 3

Do you have anywhere to hang a seed feeder? This can bring the birds to you. Yes, early mornings are the best...birds are singing and most active at this time. They may also become active near dusk when they feed one last time before sleeping for the night. Trees, and water sources are great places to start looking. Lots of sparrows, doves, etc. forage on the ground..so don't just look up..but look on the ground as well.

Answer 4

Bird feeders work wonders. the type of seed will determine the type of birds you attract. a salt lick or laying out grain(s) can also attract ungulates like deer.