How to Lead a Successful Bird Walk: 15 Common Questions Answered

Leading a bird walk is one of the best ways to share your passion for birds with others. It can also be daunting. I have led many bird walks and participated in countless others.

Leading a bird walk requires careful planning. You must choose the location, date, and time and then advertise. You need to bring the proper equipment and have the right mindset. After the walk you need to complete the proper follow up. In this article I will answer all the basic questions of how to lead a bird walk.

1. Do I need to be an expert to lead a bird walk?

Everyone who leads their first bird walk feels unqualified. You can lead a successful walk even if you are not an expert . If you choose a site that you are familiar with then you will have valuable insights. Identifying birds is only one part of leading a bird walk. It also requires good social skills and the ability to make adjustments based on the needs of the group. These skills will improve as you lead more trips.

2. How should I choose the location for a bird walk?

You must consider several factors when choosing a good site for a bird walk. The first thing to consider is what species you expect to see. A field trip targeting unique species is more likely to attract participants. Be sure to know if the site is open to the public and whether there is an admission fee. You may also arrange access for private sites. Consider how to handle a group at that location. For example, if you are on a skinny trail then a large group will end up getting spread out. Have a plan to keep your group from interfering with others to avoid confrontations.

3. What time should a bird walk start?

The start time of a bird walk is a balance between bird activity and waking up early. A typical start time might be 8am or 9am. Field trips for more advanced participants may start earlier. Bird activity is usually lowest mid-day. Early-evening field trips can be surprisingly good.

4. Where should I advertise a bird walk?

Most bird walks are planned by an organization such as a bird club. The club can advertise the field trip through their website and newsletter. You can promote walks on local birding email listservs. Local newspapers may publicize bird walks.

Be sure to include clear information about when and where participants should meet. Mention how difficult the walking will be and how long the trip will last. Consider if there are any special clothing requirements. Participants may need boots for muddy areas or long sleeves for dealing with insects. Include your contact information in case anyone has questions or gets lost on the way.

5. Should I require participants to register for a bird walk?

Require registration when a site has special instructions or you want to limit the size of the group. However, it may discourage people who don't want to take that step or who wait until the last minute to make a decision.

6. How should I scout before a bird walk?

It is a good idea to scout the location a few days ahead. This will make you aware of any possible issues. It will also give you an idea of what species are around. You may even find a rarity that you can show during the walk.

7. Should I cancel a bird walk if it rains?

Light rain is usually not an issue for a bird walk. If the forecast calls for heavy rain, strong winds, or snow then consider postponing or canceling the field trip. Some habitat types may benefit from rain if that increases the chances of a bird fallout.

8. What equipment do I need to lead a bird walk?

You will want to bring your personal optics such as binoculars and camera. Depending on the location you could bring a spotting scope as well. Your organization may have binoculars to loan out to participants who do not have their own. A first aid kit is also a good idea. Bring brochures about your organization to pass out to new participants. A paper field guide can be useful, but a field guide app on your phone will work as well. Bring water to drink.

9. How early should I arrive for a bird walk?

The leader of a bird walk should arrive at least fifteen to thirty minutes before the start. This gives you the chance to greet visitors as they arrive. It also gives you time to think of a plan if there is something unexpected or an issue with access.

10. What should I say when starting a bird walk?

Give an introductory speech to establish yourself as the leader and set the focus for the walk. You should introduce yourself and the organization that you are representing. Give some general information about the location. Mention if there are certain rules the group needs to follow such as staying on a certain path. Talk about what bird species you expect to see, especially if there are any target species. Put the time of year into context by mentioning if birds are migrating, nesting, or wintering.

Give an overview of how to use binoculars and make sure everyone's equipment is working. For smaller groups you can also go around and have each participant say their name and where they are from. This will help break the ice and encourage people to make friends.

11. How long should a bird walk last?

A typical bird walk lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. For specialized trips or when the birding is good you can extend it. You should set the pace for the group and be sure that you return at the scheduled time.

12. Should I keep an eBird list for a bird walk?

Often the bird walk leader will keep an eBird list. Another experienced birder may offer to keep the list instead. Pass around a paper to collect participants eBird usernames so that you can share the list with them.

13. Should I use playback on a bird walk?

Playback means playing a recording of a bird song or call to try to lure birds closer. Variations of this include pishing and playing a screech owl call. This becomes an issue of ethics and everyone will have their own opinion. When done at the right time and in limited amounts playback can bring excitement to a bird walk. When used too much it can disturb the birds and annoy the birders. It is unethical to use playback to disturb nesting birds. Some locations may even ban the use of playback. My advice is to use great discretion when using playback.

14. What other tips do you have for leading a bird walk?

Bring attention to each species that you see or hear well. Make briefer mention of species that are distant. Avoid long periods with no explanations or participants may feel bored. Don't only call out what you see with no explanation. Give details based on your personal knowledge. Facts about bird identification, habitat, and natural history are all valuable.

Be aware of the level of the participants and make adjustments. Beginners may want some nice time outdoors while getting good looks at common birds. Advanced birders may want to build a list and find rarities.

In spots with good bird activity spend some time working the area to take full advantage of it. When bird activity is low, keep moving to find the next pocket of activity.

15. What should I do at the end of a bird walk?

At the end of a bird walk make sure everyone returns. Gather the group one final time to give them a summary of the walk and thank them for coming. Let them know of any other upcoming walks. Make sure that you have the eBird username of everyone who wants the list shared. Write a summary of the walk to send out on the local listserv or for your organization's newsletter.

Final Thoughts

Keeping these answers in mind you are now prepared to lead a successful bird walk. People attend bird walks to spend time in nature with others. Focus on providing an enjoyable experience and you can't go wrong. Good birding!