Dark-eyed juncos can be spotted from windows in the Midwest in Winter.
Birders are often out in the field, braving sweltering heat, biting cold, glaring sunshine, or unrelenting rain. But immersion in trying elements is not entirely necessary in order to observe birds. In fact, birding can be done from the comfort of the indoors. All one needs is a window.
The accessibility of window birding invites anyone to spend any amount of time, from seconds to hours, to take a peek through the glass and see which avian species can be spotted. This can be done at one’s home, of course, but if a change of scenery is desired, a nature center is another option. The latter just might have a designated bird-watching area with stocked bird feeders in sight and handy identification guides.
While auditory experiences are limited through a window, visual observations are opportune. These might be of sparrows collecting nesting materials, robins feeding hungry fledglings, woodpeckers drumming on tree trunks, flocks of geese flying overhead, warblers fluttering in the treetops, hummingbirds sipping from bird feeders, pigeons perching on power lines, finches sunbathing on concrete, blue jays harassing a hawk, or mallards preening.
A white-breasted nuthatch enjoys a bird feeder all to itself.
A fun challenge can be had by keeping track of all of the species spotted from a window. Keeping tabs on who makes an appearance is a way to collect valuable information that can yield pleasant surprises. Seasonal changes will rotate the cast of feathered characters as well.
I invite you to engage in some window birding. Pick a window, take a look, and experience the ease and delight of watching some birds at your convenience.