How you plan to dress for birding does matter a lot. Dressing right is essential in enhancing your birding adventure experience. To most casual birders, however, dress code is often not taken seriously yet it is significant to have the right outfit for all birding expeditions. Dressing wrongly may attract a range of birds and this is one experience you shouldn’t wish to have. Safety and comfort are key if you are to enjoy the best of your birding adventure.
When choosing what to dress, be mindful of weather and seasons. Wear what you are comfortable with and whether you plan to undertake 7 days birding, 14 days or even 30 days birding safari, make sure that you dress appropriately. Here are some of the must-pack items for your birding adventure;
Comfortable shoes.
Find yourself comfortable and sturdy shoes and be guaranteed of a memorable birding experience. They should be high ankle support shoes in case you plan to embark on a walk on birding expedition. Your shoes should be well enclosed and should protect your legs from all kinds of creepy crawlies/spiky plans.
Shirts for birding.
Wear light shirts, skivvies or t-shirt preferably cotton/nylon. The cloths you choose to put on should provide you warmth during cold while birding.
Pants for bird watching.
You also need a pair of long pants but of good quality to ensure that you have the best of your birding adventure. Preferably, find good light, airy pants which can be unzipped easily into shorts.
Socks.
Carry good, heavy cotton socks for birding. You will tuck your trouser into socks before you set off for bird watching. Make sure you also have a pair of socks for you to change after birding adventure. Tucking the socks into the trousers helps save you from biting insects while on birding expedition.
Jacket.
Find the best and waterproof rain jacket for cold mornings and in case it rains while you are on birding adventure. Get a light rain jacket and should be comfortable. Alternative, a poncho can serve best for you on birding expedition.
Daypack.
A daypack is necessary for any birder to protect his or her essential items like binoculars, passport, cameras and field books. It shouldn’t be big and discomforting to carry. Find the lightweight daypack if you plan to go for long birding expedition and make sure that it waterproof.
Hat.
Get yourself a safari hat to protect you from the sun heat. It should be fine, wide enough to ensure that it covers your head well plus ears from the sun heat.
Dressing tips for birding.
- Avoid wearing noisy clothes – take note that birds are very sensitive creatures. Noisy or shouting clothes like red, deep blue, yellow, orange, and other such colors should be highly avoided. Besides, also, try not to put squeak shoes.
- Do not dress in reflective clothes – reflective clothes tend to send danger signal to birds or may scare away most birds.
- Avoid dressing on brightly colored clothes – the brightly colored clothes can easily be spotted and also signal danger. Find good dull-colored clothes and green-environmental friendly clothes for your birding safari.
