Favorite weather for Birding? (1 Viewer)

[Linkasaurus]

Hello from Kentucky again, it's a rainy day we're having today. I thought I might as well ask, what's your favorite weather for Birding? Is it a rainy day like today, or do you like a hot, sunny day?

 

[Monahawk]

I don't mind birding in most weathers so long as it's not lashing rain or too windy. I hate birding in windy conditions, something I should really be used to living here in Ireland, but I find it a curse. Most birds go to ground or cover and you can't here any calls or anything, except the bloody wind!

Si.

 

[Green Sandpiper]

It depends on the time of year. In mid- winter, I'm 100% certain that hot, sunny summer days filled with warbler song is my favourite. By August, I'm convinced that the crisp, cold air of January is best, a new list for a new year. In spring I'm convinced that the change in temperature you get in September/ October is best, whereas by October's end I'm fed up with wind and rain, and am looking forward to new life appearing in Spring.

 

[Nightjar61]

I also detest the wind.

For me, birding is usually bad on very hot and humid days. The birds aren’t very active and I’m miserable.

Birding can be good right after the rain. Activity picks up as the birds look for food after being hunkered down during the rain.

Dave

 

[Patudo]

I find birding in the rain extremely difficult - even if your clothing is waterproof enough to keep you dry, the water on your optics (and in my case spectacles/glasses) severely affects the viewing experience. Fortunately, for most of my birding, there's little need to be out in the rain. That period before it rains, though, when it clouds over and birds start seeking shelter - that's often when things happen. Ditto when the rain begins to subside and birds start foraging again. That said, many birds will forage in drizzle and even light rain, and if you can observe from a sheltered position (or just stick it out in the rain) you may well be rewarded.

I'd say my favourite conditions for birding, here in London, would be with a moderate wind (say 10-18 mph) out of any westerly direction, bright, but with plenty of white cloud to silhouette soaring birds against. But every location is different, sometimes very much so.

 

[scissortail666]

I adore walks in the rain, especially as all the busy parks near me are normally empty, but it's admittedly not the most ideal weather for birding. (side note: since I live in the very rainy PNW, I am fully rain geared up with waterproof pants, jacket, boots, binoculars and water-resistant camera)

I'd say my favourite birding weather is overcast - there usually seems to be lots of bird activity and in the spring and summer, it means the swallows will be whizzing right past my head! I love to bird at the beach when the tide is coming in; all the shorebirds will be pushed closer into viewing range.

 

[Farnboro John]

Seawatching requires wind to be any good.

John

 

[Mysticete]

For the most part, I think weather is less important for the birds than it is for my own comfort. Hot and humid weather can be miserable to bird in, especially as biting insects are usually at the worst. Same goes for torrential rainfall or bitterly cold and windy days. It's just hard to work up interest in going out when its uncomfortable.

 

[kb57]

In agreement with many opinions so far...I'm not fond of wind but agree the necessity of a decent onshore blow for sea watching purposes. I find hot and humid weather particularly difficult to cope with, but dry heat is a different matter - mid 20s in a Magdalena valley rainforest was really uncomfortable for me, but I can be more than happy in 30C in southern Portugal. Early morning sunshine on a temperate spring morning is probably my ultimate favourite, and pretty good for bird activity too.

 

[qwerty5]

Passernes seem to be more active in the middle of the day when it's overcast than when it's sunny. Sunny days also silhouette birds in the canopy and make them harder to identify. Strong wind is my least favorite, the birds are not active and I worry about all the dead ash trees ready to crash down on my head.