Journal Entry #13—Keeping a Birding Journal -

This week I’ve been focusing on keeping a birding journal and taking field notes not only while I’m out in the backyard, but also when we go out to the ponds and the beach.

In the backyard, I’ve been watching the woodpecker bring her baby around to the feeder and teach him how to feed himself. So far, the baby is not figuring it out. At first, he stayed on the branch above while the momma pecked at the suet and then flew up to him to stuff it in his wide-open beak. Then she would repeat the routine throughout the day.

Now, he sits on top of the feeder across from the momma, mouth open, waiting while she pecks away at the feed. He’s still clueless that’s he’s supposed to be doing it himself. It’s been fun watching these babies as they grow up.

I’m still learning how to draw, and have been following along with John Muir Laws’ videos. I am spending my evenings picking out a video and learning how to draw and take field notes. The more I watch his videos, the more I appreciate the time he has put into teaching about nature and the huge amount of knowledge he shares.

In this video, he shares some tips for keeping a field notebook. He shows how to use words, numbers, and pictures to record your observations in nature. Each method of collecting data will make you think in different ways about your observations and even though they are different ways to collect information, they complement each other.

If you’ve been wanting to learn how to start keeping a birding journal, then check John Muir Laws’ video below, and his channel and website for a ton of fun things to learn. Also, check out The Nature Journal Club on Facebook, it is a wealth of knowledge and a fun place to see what others are drawing in their journals and learn from them.

Birder’s Field Journal FUNdamentals

Art and Nature Journaling Supplies

Here are a few supplies John uses in the video… you can find them on his website or use my affiliate links below. If you use my links, I get a small commission at no charge to you and it helps me pay for the maintenance of this website. Thank you!

Sketchbook—The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling

Blue pencil he used– Prismacolor Colorerase Non-photo Blue Pencil

The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds

Uni-Ball Signo White Gel Pen

Kuretake Fude Water Brush Pen, Flat Type, 2 heads

Pentel Arts Aquash Round, Large (18mm), Fine Point Water Brush

Faber-Castell Polychromos Artists’ Color Pencils – Tin of 24 Colors – Premium Quality Artist Pencils

WIN TAPE Clear Plastic Goniometer Can Rotate 360 Degree 7” Arms, Quick Angle Protractor Measuring Tool

Perfect Sized travel palette to take on the trail: Micro Portable Painter Watercolor Palette – Travel | Feather-Weight | Simplify Your Life

DANIEL SMITH Watercolor, 5ml tubes, Jean Haines Master Artist Set 10 Watercolor Tubes (total 10 pieces)