Keeping a Backyard Journal on Wednesday, September 02, 2009

I used to think nothing much happened in my backyard. But a backyard journal helped me realize that interesting things happen every day!

by Scott Lukens

Keeping a backyard journal can help you catch a glimpse of the nature around you.  All it takes is a spiral notebook.  My first journal was simply a calendar with notes that I saved from year to year.  The interesting, exciting and humorous events involving wild creatures and plants right in your own backyard make great subject matter.

Always list the date and weather conditions to provide a framework to your observations.  Beyond that, record what interests you.  Some days you may not write anything, but others you may fill up several pages recording what you’ve seen.

Some observations may be relatively commonplace, like a Mourning Dove bringing her fledglings to your feeder.  Others may be dramatic – I once saw a Northern Flicker fly off with a sickly sparrow.
You may also record the comic side of drama:  an inexperienced Sharp-shinned Hawk landed in our lawn, sat in plain view of all the well-hidden smaller birds, and wondered why it wasn’t having any luck catching dinner!

Once you start a journal, you’ll be surprised at the events you notice.  Looking back, you’ll discover your powers of observation being strengthened and your knowledge of backyard wildlife growing.  And, you’ll always be reminded of what you’ve seen – the details will be at hand, in your backyard journal.