Birding is one of the oldest delicate pass-time hobbies in the world where individuals commit a part of their time to view, appreciate and record different bird species they come across. This could be in their nearby surroundings or travel to distant destinations to indulge in this special activity.
Birding as known today started to be a hobby in early 1900; originally a “gentleman’s recreation” in Britain and Scandinavian societies. Groups of gentlemen could travel throughout Europe in search of various bird species and had codes of conduct they followed on such expeditions. They put respect for nature first and tried to leave environments they visited as much better than they found them.
With onset of the 1960s, birding started to become more than just a hobby and started being more popular in North America as a tourist activity. People developed even competitive spirits and holding contests of who recorded more birds, sighted new or rare birds and it has been the norm until the present. Birding has even been adopted as more than just a hobby and can be seen as a qualified profession where one becomes a birding pro.
This has led to many people having “life lists”, explained as a record of birds you have sighted in your life. To casual birders, they may be content with only species in their nearby areas but avid birders have a passion and are in constant pursuit to enrich their lists with more bird species in distant countries and continents, with unique birds and embracing the challenges this comes with.
Importance of birding.
Birding and its impacts are inarguably important for their contribution to society and conservation advantages. Birding provides researchers with interesting lots of data which helps conservation efforts. For example by using recorded data, researchers can use this to know which species are endangered due to alarming small figures like the rare shoebill stork and fight to implement ways of protecting such species from extinction.
Birding is one hobby, so great for individuals’ mental and physical state plus contributes greatly to the economic development of several destinations around the world. It all does this while enabling people to connect with nature in an eco-friendly manner. Earnings got from birding are used in conservation efforts and also developing visited destinations; for instance Mabamba wetland in Uganda has developed because of birding, Lutembe bay and so many other birding sites.
Why is birding popular?
The big question is why birding has become a popular activity in recent years. Though no particular single facet can be attributed to this, some reasons can be identified as we are going to see.
Birding is a flexible experience. Bird watching is a recreation you can plan to fit in your schedule and can do even in your backyard at home. Birding needs the least pieces of equipment and just a notebook and your own eyes are sufficient to start the adventure.
Birding has turned out to be a popular tourism activity, after becoming more competitive among acquaintances, family and with more people travelling to other destinations to record unique bird species, which raises competition among peers. When one person goes on a birding trip, his close friends will also be easily convinced to go for one which has made the activity so popular.
Best places to go birding in Uganda.
Uganda is known to be Africa’s birding capital for no minor reason. Uganda is one of the richest bird destinations around the world with over 11 percent of world’s total species and 50 percent of Africa’s total recorded species.
Some of the best spots to do birding in Uganda are; Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Mabamba bay, Murchison falls national park and Semuliki national park. A trip to some of these sites guarantees the most thrilling birding experiences where you can encounter more than 14 Albertine endemic species like the Congo serpent eagle, Rwenzori nightjars and African green broadbill.
Plan a birding trip to Uganda to be part of popular but personal, conservation friendly and economically viable you can have while doubling your life count due to the rich bird diversity found in the pearl of Africa.
