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This Early Birding Icon’s Advice on Leading Bird Walks Is Still Fresh—126 Years Later
Four tips that stand the test of time from conservation pioneer Florence Merriam Bailey, who helped popularize birding as a hobby for the masses in the late 19th century.
By Zoe Grueskin
Associate Editor, Audubon magazine
Published Spring 2025
This article is a product of Audubon magazine. Become a member to receive our quarterly print issue in the mail.
Birding as we know it changed forever, or perhaps began, in 1889 with the publication of Florence Merriam Bailey’s Birds Through an Opera-Glass, considered the first field guide to North American birds. Convinced that a connection to nature could lead to public support for conservation, in 1900 Merriam Bailey published an essay in Bird-Lore (Audubon’s predecessor) about how to inspire curious amateurs to pick up binoculars and head outside.
Merriam Bailey drew from her experience starting an Audubon Society for students at Smith College. (Her not-so-secret ulterior motive was to discourage the young women from buying feather-adorned fashion items: "We'll take the girls afield, and let them get acquainted with the birds. Then, of inborn necessity, they will wear feathers never more.") Though much has changed for both birds and birders since then, Merriam Bailey's 126-year-old advice on leading “field classes” is as fresh as ever.
Lead a Series, Not a One-Off
Begin with the first wave of migration: “Just early enough to find a few of the first spring birds, enough to arouse enthusiasm without giving the discouragement that comes to a beginner with the later confusion of tongues.” Meeting once a week will offer “a good object lesson” in migration and let your class’s skills build up in sync with the action.
Favor the Flashy
Between a Scarlet Tanager and a mess of warblers, let your beginner birders focus on the bright red bird: “They will in spite of you, unless forcibly removed, but it is much better that they should. The wonderful color of the Tanager, his curious call, his thrilling song, the marvelously protective leaf tints of his mate, if she be near, will make an indelible impression upon them, and by rousing interest, lead eventually to the patient study of the obscure tree-top haunting Warblers.”
"Even a single walk afield may be worthwhile."
Emphasize Accessibility
Meet your prospective birders where they are with interest and abilities: "Even a single walk afield may be worthwhile." Merriam Bailey eagerly accommodated would-be birders who required a wheeled carriage to "ride to the woods" and identified birdsong for a "quick-eared" blind participant on an outing. The more bird appreciators in the world, the better!
Train the Trainers
If your group gets too large, mentor the most eager newbies on leading their own outings: “While perilous in one way—may the birds forgive the names given them!—this plan succeeded in giving a larger number an insight into nature work.”
Try Photography
Nature photography was a new and clunky endeavor in Merriam Bailey’s day, but today’s bird photographers likely still agree with her insight that a camera can be an excellent tool to “rouse interest” in a new birder, “for a great deal must necessarily be learned of ‘bird ways’ before any good photographic results can be obtained.” Just make sure to keep an appropriate distance and share best practices with your group on ethical bird photography.
Read Merriam Bailey's full essay from our archives online here.
This story originally ran in the Spring 2025 issue as “Good Advice Never Goes Out of Style.” To receive our print magazine, become a member by making a donation today.