Daylight saving time, or summer time, can be confusing and tricky to remember for resetting clocks, being on time, making deadlines, and keeping appointments. There is no doubt, however, that where this time adjustment is practiced, the “extra” hour of time every fall as the saving ends and clocks are set back is a welcome treat. Birders can put the time to good use with any of these projects – while each one may take more than a minute, choosing one can be a great way to put your extra 60 minutes of time to use for the birds!
Daylight Saving Time Projects for Birds
When you have an extra hour after setting your clocks back…
- Practice the Universal Truths of Birding by simply enjoying birds, learning something new about birds, or seeking out a new bird.
- Do a bit of fall yard cleanup (without raking!) by building a brush pile to serve as winter shelter for small birds.
- Buy a heated bird bath so you can provide fresh, clean, liquid water to birds even when temperatures fall.
- Plan new bird-friendly landscape that will benefit all types of wildlife – bees, butterflies, toads, etc. – throughout the year.
- Enjoy a bird-themed movie marathon with top birdy movies and your favorite movie-going treats.
- Visit a local zoo and enjoy amazing birds you might never otherwise see and support the zoo’s conservation at the same time.
- Clean out your freezer to stock up on a supply of birdseed and keep it safe from mold, insects, and other contamination.
- Review your water usage and fix leaks, trim settings, and take other steps to conserve water and protect bird habitats.
- Learn about, buy, or taste bird-friendly chocolate as you plan ahead for holiday baking and seasonal treats.
- Buy or browse a new field guide to plan your next birding adventure, wherever in the world it may be.
- Learn how to say not to straws or other single-use bits of plastic such as cutlery, bags, or excess packaging.
- Enhance your birding notes or journal by learning how to draw birds so you can add sketches to your records.
- Discover if you have any bird-related phobias and take steps to overcome them and enjoy more birds.
- Puzzle out a mystery bird you’ve seen recently or submit the photo for identification help.
What other ways do you have to enjoy birding and birds when you have a few minutes to spare, whether it is due to clock adjustments, completed chores, or a precious bit of extra time? Share your favorite birding go-tos in the comments!
