Best Times of Day to Go Birdwatching (with ratings)

 

Birds are very similar to humans; they love warm weather and sunshine. Most won’t get up until the sun rises, as many people do. Knowing what birds come at what time of day is very important, along with knowing what time of year birds will come. Here is a comprehensive list of birds you can see throughout the day. 

Dawn(4:00AM-6:30AM)

Nearly all bird species, whether you live in Andorra or Zimbabwe, will start their chorus in the early morning at dawn. However, they will not start moving until the sun is out and it is much warmer. I would not recommend venturing out during daybreak to look for birds; it would be very dark, and all the birds would be stationary or sleeping. Many elusive bird species would be singing at this time, and a few tiny songbirds would be flitting. Overall, I would say this is the worst time to go birdwatching because of the low light conditions. If you are a fan of birding by ear, however, this is a great time. My rating for this time is 4/10 stars.

Early Morning(6:30AM-9:00AM)

The early morning is when you can see the most diverse group of birds. Birds go foraging at this time, and there is enough light to see them. Most birds are singing at this time, although more would be singing during dawn. The sun rises during this period, awakening both birds and their prey. If you venture out into a forest during this time, you will see plenty of flycatchers, thrushes, wrens, and wood warblers, among multiple other passerines. The only exception to this timing would be during fall and winter; this is when most birds would be huddling together to stay toasty. Ducks and other waterfowl wake up around this time, but you can spot them at any time of the day. My rating for this time is 9/10.

Late Morning(9:00AM-12:00PM)

Most people go birdwatching during this time, often with their family and friends. You can find these birdwatchers at nearly any birding hotspot near you, especially near large bodies of water. Birdwatching is enjoyed better as a cooperative hobby than a solo one; you can spot many more birds with your new friend than alone. The variety of birds present during this stretch is slightly lower than in the early morning, but the people you meet often compensate for it. If you are going birdwatching during a cold season, this is the best time; the sun gives considerable warmth, awakening many critters and their darting predators. The number of birds singing decreases substantially, though. My rating for this time is 8/10.

Afternoon(12:00PM-4:30PM)

The sun is at its brightest during the afternoon, and like most people, birds love to take a rest during this time. Who would do intensive work outside during this duration? Birds love to stay under the shade of large trees during this time, drinking water and even taking siestas. They’ve been awake since about 6 AM and desperately need to sleep. For this reason, birdwatching at this time is not satisfactory. Unless, of course, you are looking for hawks. Hawks and other birds of prey use the searing afternoon air currents to drift lazily in the air. Most movies portray vultures in deserts because of this; the temperature is scorching. Venture out on a sunny, clear day to a high cliff during this period to maximize your chances of seeing rarities. Other than witnessing raptors fly high in the air, the afternoon is not a great time to go birdwatching. If you have to go birdwatching during this time, go near humid areas with large trees surrounding them. Most birds will be resting around there. My rating for this time is 6/10 stars.

Evening(4:30 PM-6:30 PM)

The evening is a great time to go birdwatching if you aren’t an early bird; most birds will fly out for a quick meal before night strikes. In forests, insectivores will be sallying for prey alongside small unnamed silhouettes flying through the trees. Bird diversity here is nearly congruent to the late morning, but with some minor differences. Nightjars and owls stir during this time, preparing for a long night of hunting mammals. Birds store energy for the night during the evening. After 5:30, light quality drops significantly, so be sure to finish your bird walk before then. My rating for this time is 7/10 stars.

Night(6:30PM-12:00AM)

Very few birds are seen at night; the latest I’ve ever seen a songbird was at 7:30(it was a cardinal). Owls, nightjars, and herons are active during this time, though herons can be seen anytime. Do not go birdwatching at night unless you are looking for a specific bird, like an owl. All birds are sleeping at this time, so do not make much noise. Nightjars are very active during this time, so be on the watch for those. My rating for this time is 3/10 stars.

Migration

Even if you follow the guidelines above, most birds will only be present at certain times of the year. Spring and Fall migration time is when most songbirds can be seen. Ducks and other waterfowl are present during the Winter, while warblers go South during that time. Knowing migration dates are crucial for your bird walks, or your trips may turn into flops. Find them out using Merlin Bird ID.

Thank you for reading!