Winter presents excellent birding opportunities in that many species only inhabit our area during the colder months. Many songbirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey including the ever-popular Snowy Owl can be found if you are willing to get out and brave the elements. Staying warm and being comfortable are the keys to enjoying winter birding. I quite prefer winter birding to summer birding because not only are there many interesting species to observe, but it is easier to dress for the cold than the heat. Let’s face it, you can only remove so many clothes.
Today’s clothing technology makes staying warm and comfortable quite easy. Garments are made warmer and thinner than they were in the past which will make your time in the outdoors more enjoyable. I like to start with a good base layer and my preference here is Underarmour 2.0 leggings and 3.0 top. These long john style shirts and pants fit tight to my body and are available in various weights for a range of temperatures and provide excellent warmth while wicking moisture away from my body. Keeping the moisture off your skin is very important because nothing cools you down faster than sweat evaporation. In extremely cold temperatures I will wear a flannel shirt over my Underarmour base layer but quite often find that the mid-weight base layer shirt is more than adequate.
Next, I like to put on a fleece-lined pair of cargo pants. The fleece lining provides added warmth and the many pockets are great for carrying small items such as spare memory cards. Avoid nylon ski pants as this material is too noisy when walking and will startle many birds. For my jacket, I like Mark’s Work Warehouse T Max hoodies. These jackets are extremely warm, made of a quiet material, and are available in models that repel water which makes them great in wet snow.
Footwear is probably the most important piece of clothing. If your feet get cold and wet, then the rest of you will get cold and your day will not be very enjoyable. I always buy boots designed for hunting as I find them the best for warmth, comfort, and being waterproof. I like a boot with at least 1000 grams of Thinsulate insulation to guarantee my feet stay warm. Look for a fairly aggressive tread to provide better grip in packed snow and icy conditions. Rocky Blizzardstalker
Gloves can be one of the trickiest items to purchase. I have had countless pairs of gloves that claim to be warm but just don’t cut it when out in the field. My personal recommendation is Manzella Bruin
Last but not least don’t forget to cover your head. How many times have you heard in your life that you lose 90% of your body heat through your head? Whether or not this fact is accurate who knows? I do know this, cold ears will ruin your day in a hurry. I like a toque style hat with a lining that wicks away moisture. It is quite easy to work up a sweat while winter hiking and again sweat evaporation will cool you off incredibly fast. Many companies manufacture great lined toques and winter hats.
I spend a lot of time outdoors photographing wildlife and have wasted a lot of money on winter attire that claims to be warm. All of these items keep me warm and allow me to stay outdoors for hours on the coldest days. I think that if you give some of these items a try you won’t be disappointed and your time outdoors will be much more enjoyable.
Good birding,
Paul
Just the kind of information I was looking for now all I have to do is find women’s sizes!
Hi Paul…………… I was wondering how you protect your camera equipment when you are out in the winter.
Thanks
Hi Paul,
The canon 7D claims to be dust and weather sealed, however I am not one to test this theory too aggressively. I admit my camera has gotten quite wet during snow squalls and touch wood, I have had no problems. I do like to dry it off as much as possible when I am out. My lens (Canon 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM) is not sealed at the mount, so I pay close attention to this area. If I’m caught in really heavy snow I quite often tuck it into my jacket or back in my bag. My bag has a built in weather cover in the bottom that keeps everything dry. Adding silica packs to my bag helps control moisture. Most importantly I get my equipment out when I return home and let it air dry. I’ve heard that the hot shoe on a camera is where water most easily enters, and to be careful wiping or drying this area. Pressing on the shoe can actually make things worse.
Hi Paul, I’m a little late to view this post, but what model of gloves are you talking about? They make quite a few, and I’m interested in which ones you’re using. Thanks.
Hi Braden,
Thanks for asking. I wear the Manzella Bruin with the Thinsulate insulation. These gloves are awesome! We are experiencing windchills here in the -20 to -30 celsius range and these gloves are keeping me warm. No need to add bulky hand warmer inserts. I am on my third season with these, out in the field everyday, and only a bit of wear on the palms. Best glove I’ve ever owned. I’ve included a link to the glove.
Thanks again,
Paul