Delegate Wittman

Which hobby allows you to meet people and at the same time study birds and their species? Only ornithology! You could present someone who has a similar interest with a surprise birthday present which matches this specific area. To learn more you will have to ask them.

Probably a hat is one of the easiest and least expensive items to buy. This is a very useful gift in the sense that it prevents damage to their face from the sun and stop glare at the same time. A pair of ‘army style’ combat pants is also a good gift idea because the multiple pockets are a convenient way to carry useful items without the need for a rucksack.

A bird watching vest is another item which has more areas to store items than a pair of combat pants. For easy access to a cellular phone, water and map etc. If you think that their old back pack is due to be replaced, you could get a new one and save them the trouble. There are plenty of sizes available in backpacks; a heavy duty one is not really required since these people should be traveling light. Binoculars are perhaps the costliest, but the most appreciated, gift you can give to a bird watcher. The cost of the lens, which allows the viewer to see birds at greater distances, makes it an expensive option. Current technology has meant huge improvements in binocular design so it is possible to buy models that can be used at night and others where they behave like digital cameras and take photos. Bird watching journals are used by most enthusiasts, after all how else would they keep account of what birds they have seen and where; this could be a great gift.

For a gift with a difference, why not pay for an annual subscription to a bird watching magazine, preferably one they already read. Published on a monthly or quarterly basis, these magazines carry lively pictures and information on birds found in places where he has never been. A more spectacular gift is a bird watching vacation package to Canada or to South America. There are thousands of bird species and while there is a huge diversity of species in the US, many have not made their home there.

You have to know the recipients needs before you rush out and buy something; this should make the decision much easier. A small discussion can throw up plenty of possible options which should make choosing a gift which they will be happy with that’s within your budget. Who knows, you might find that all this research on a present has wetted your appetite to start bird watching as well. You could then become a member of their group and accompany them on their field trips.