I’d Rather Be Birding

Discover the Joy of Birding

- No Experience Required

Birding Diary~

November 23, 2025

Cool today. Actually had rain yesterday - not much but enough to green everything up.

Skip and I took our crazy dog to Granger Lake. We never actually made it to the lake but spent our time mostly in the agricultural areas and small woodlands near the lake. We saw great birds. American Bittern stood out as the highlight and while we whiffed on burrowing owls (could be too early in the season to see them at their usual haunts), we did see Black and Turkey Vultures, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Crested Cara-cara, Northern Harrier, Northern Mockingbird, Killdeer, Meadowlarks (I heard Eastern Meadowlarks but Westerns might have been mixed in - who knows), Savannah Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes, Carolina Chickadees, Belted Kingfisher and probable Ring-billed Gulls over a distant plowed field.

The sun was enlightening in more than one way and I enjoyed it.

Hey everyone! Watch a bird ~ it will do you good! -Marj

Welcome to Rather Be Birding

At Rather Be Birding, we believe birding is more than a hobby - it’s a way of slowing down, tuning in, unplugging and feeling at home in the natural world.

Our mission is simple: to help you become a better birder, no matter where you’re starting from. Through practical guides, birding tips, identification tools, and shared experiences, you’ll find everything you need to build skill and confidence outdoors.

And many want a simple entry point into the past time of birding - watching out the kitchen window at the lovely birds that come to the birdfeeder in your backyard. We do that too. We love the variety and the colors. We can show you how to get the most out of bird feeding with the least investment.

Learn. Explore. Enjoy. Repeat.

Learn the Basics -

Start with the essentials: guides, field gear and tips for ethical and effective birding so you will learn to identify what you are actually seeing in the field and at the feeder.

Explore with Purpose -

Discover where to bird - whether down the street or around the world - how to track migrations, what to plant in your backyard for wildlife’s sustainability and survival, and how to discover the unique personality and the language of interaction of each bird you experience.

Enjoy the Moment -

Sharpen your observation, listening, and identifying skills with easy to follow lessons and images. Meditate, sing, exercise, or simply relax with a cup of tea and watch nature do its thing.

Why Birding Matters

Birding connects us to something bigger than ourselves. It restores focus, invites curiosity, and deepens our appreciation for nature’s rhythms. Whether you bird from your backyard, a local park, or the farthest trail, every moment spent brings peace, joy and wonder.

“Every bird teaches you something new — about the world and about yourself.”