How to be a Birder Series 5: Keeping Bird Notes and a Journal
By Dr Stephen Moss, Global Consultant, NETVUE Birdfy
Why make field notes?
In an age dominated by digital communication, the notion of recording your bird sightings with pen and paper might seem rather outdated. However, there is truly no better method for learning to identify birds and gaining a deeper understanding of their habits and behaviour than by keeping detailed and accurate field notes. All you need is a simple notebook and a pen or pencil.
A notebook – or its digital equivalent – is considered by many birders to be almost as essential as a pair of binoculars. If you wish to improve or enhance your ability to identify birds, developing the skill of making thorough and accurate field notes is crucial. It not only helps with immediate identification of the species, but also allows you to determine a bird’s age and sex – distinguishing between juvenile and adult, or between male and female – and to observe and record any unusual or distinctive behaviour. These notes serve as both an immediate account and a lasting record of your experiences in the field.
The choice of notebook is entirely personal; some favour loose-leaf versions while others prefer standard notebooks. The key is to ensure it fits comfortably in your pocket and is robust enough for use outdoors, ideally with a water-resistant cover for inclement weather. Likewise, make sure you carry at least two pens or pencils in case one runs out or breaks!
Alternatively, a miniature digital recorder can be used, as some birders do – including me. This approach has its advantages: there is no risk of unreadable handwriting and cold fingers in winter are less of a problem. You can also speak faster than you write, allowing for quick documentation while continuing to observe the bird.
However, there are drawbacks: batteries may run flat or lose their charge at the key moments; you could mistakenly press ‘play’ instead of ‘record’; or accidentally delete your precious notes. Additionally, transcribing recordings at home can be time-consuming, although modern software has made this much easier.
How to make field notes
Regardless of the method you choose, the process of taking notes remains the same. The golden rule is to record the essential details immediately. Avoid spending time recording details of the bird’s habitat, weather conditions, or the date and time of your sighting until after the bird has flown – these can be added later.
First try to compare the bird to a familiar species, especially if those are close by for a direct comparison of size, shape, pattern and colour. Then note the overall impression you get from the bird – what birders call its ‘jizz’; what does it remind you of? As soon as possible, record specific plumage details. Exceptions occur when the bird may fly away or is only giving brief or partial views; in these cases, concentrate on key identification features. For example, when observing an unusual gull, focus on the bill, legs, and back colour, as these are crucial for identification. For shorebirds and other wading birds, the length and shape of the bill are often more significant. If the bird takes flight, how does the pattern and colour change – and make sure you note down any key field marks.
Learning basic 'bird topography' – the external features and feather patterns of a bird – is invaluable. This allows for precise descriptions, using specific terms such as ‘primaries’ or ‘lores’ rather than vague words like 'wing' or 'underparts'. For some species, an accurate identity hinges on including these details.
For many songbirds, especially groups that look similar, such as warblers, calls and song are important clues to identification. Describing these can be challenging, since human language has no direct equivalent for bird vocalisations. Try to capture the rhythm, tone, and melody, perhaps using diagrams when words fall short.
If possible, make a quick sketch of the bird. Even if your drawing skills are limited, a rough diagram with arrows can help highlight key field marks.
Finally, make sure you record the exact location, date and time, habitat, direction and quality of light, and weather conditions. Note any other observers present. If the record is to be submitted to a local bird recorder or the National Rarities Committee, these details are essential.
A word of caution: it is tempting to note features you think you saw or expected to see. Resist this urge. If you did not observe the bird’s leg colour, state it plainly. Avoid filling gaps by consulting field guides or identification apps: records committees often reject descriptions that appear overly detailed or contrived, or are suspiciously similar to the account in a popular field guide or app.
Lastly, keep your field notebooks safe. Revisiting them years later can be a source of great enjoyment as you recall memorable days spent birding.
Keeping a bird journal or diary
I’ve always kept bird lists, usually simply ‘ticking off’ each species in a pre-printed checklist. But since travelling abroad in the late 1980s, I began keeping a detailed journal. Now, each trip includes a daily calendar of locations and recorded sightings, sometimes with counts or brief notes on bird behaviours and habitats.
New species – ‘world lifers’ for me – are highlighted in bold for quick reference. I also transcribe my home birding notes – including the birds in my garden – from my digital recorder. Nearly forty years later, I appreciate these journals for helping me remember both local and international birding experiences – though I wish I'd started even earlier, when I was a child.
Finally, if you are happy to ‘go digital’, Cornell University’s excellent eBird allows you to add the species you see in real time, when in the field. However, I have seen birders spend so much time doing this that they miss the next species, so be aware that technology isn’t always the best way to keep bird notes!
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