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birds and birders both benefit from awareness of ecological edges. Think about it. Where two different habitats meet is where you find the greatest diversity of plants and animals. It is a special area. The edge between a field and a forest is a great place for small birds and small mammals, like rabbits, to hide. It is also a great place for predators or raptors tto lurk in search of a good meal. Perhaps a hawk or an owl in the tree is watching the grasses below for movement. It is easy to see the edges have more plant diversity, especially if you are on foot. The forest encroaches upon the field, the grasses encroach upon a pond, all of this is part of natural succession.
Use this knowledge to enhance your birding. How can you make edges work to improve your birding experience? First your know from your birding guide which bird species inhabit particular edges, so you know what to look for. Look for predators and for prey. If you study your birding guides before you go into the field you will begin to recognize the birds much more quickly.
Next, pay attention to the time of day and the lighting, where is the sun casting shadows? Can you see the birds with your binoculars if you are looking into the sun? Nope. So plan your bird walk to make the most of the lighting.
Of course, you will be listening for calls of birds and other animals. Alarm calls tell the others nearby that YOU are approaching. So look for activity around the edges of the field first with your bird binoculars before you get too close and scare them away. Scan the treetops and scan the edges before you lose your cover and you will see more wildlife and birds.
kapong