Essentially, when you are just starting out in the birdwatching, you really don't need to buy any special equipment. This is especially true if you go to a bird hide or learn the essential tricks of camouflage and just wait patiently for birds to come close to you. However, if you are interested in finding out a lot more about birds then there a whole host of items that can make learning a lot more enjoyable.
Soon or later you'll probably want to start venturing out in search of the more hidden species of birds that can be found in Britain's meadows, shoreline and forests. Depending on where you are going, you'll obviously need to be suitably dressed in preparation for inclement weather. Remember that whilst it may fairly mild as you're walking about, it can soon get really cold when you're standing still for long periods. Layers of warm clothing, gloves, thick socks, a woolly hat and a scarf will all be appreciated if the weather gets a bit nasty.
When your looking out for birds, they're often looking out for you as well. However, whilst you'll be wanting them to come closer so you can get a better look at them, they'll be wanting to keep their distance. To help you get the upper hand, try to wear clothing that will help you to blend in with your surroundings. You needn't dress like Rambo, but it would certainly help to avoid bright colours and shiny fabrics, and also keep any sparkling buckles or zips well hidden.
Sound is another factor you should consider when you're trying to blend in with your surroundings. Walking in waterproof trousers can sound like you're munching your way through giant packets of crisps and buckles will usually tinkle like reindeer bells, warning all the birds in the neighbourhood that you're on your way.
A notepad and pen are simple but essential tools for recording your observations. If possible, try and get a waterproof pad and pencil so as to avoid a soggy notebook when the heavens open.
There are many good guidebooks on the market, ranging in price from just a few pounds to more than £50. Obviously, if you're looking for a book that you can take out into the field then you'll probably need something that is relatively compact and lightweight. It should also provide clearly annotated pictures or illustrations of British birds, ideally from several angles. To this end, you may want to avoid books that have 'Europe' in their title, as these are often filled with illustrations and information on many birds that you are unlikely to see in the British Isles.
Illustrations are extremely useful but it is often the text in the guidebooks that can provide a more clear confirmation as to the identity of birds. Descriptions will provide you with the all-important information on patterns of behaviour, habitat and subtle markings that help to distinguish between similar species.
In addition to guidebooks, the Internet has numerous resources for birding that can prove invaluable if you want to find out more about birds.
Whilst the naked eye will serve you well on many occasions, a good pair of binoculars will open up a whole new world of things to see in bird spotting. Take a look at our Buying Guide to find out more about purchasing your first pair of binoculars.
If your ability to sketch birds tends to produce robins that look more like chickens then you may want to consider purchasing a camera. There is a huge amount of choice available, but essentially you will probably want a camera that is compact, lightweight and with an optical zoom of at least 4x magnification. Digital cameras can be especially useful for this purpose as you can take large numbers of photographs without worrying about the added cost of buying film or developing your pictures.
As you'll no-doubt soon discover, it can be very difficult trying to describe the sound of birdsong by using only words. As a result, many birders use sound recording equipment to record audio tracks that can be played back at a later date.
