Description: Write down everything you observe whether it seems important at the time or not. Use drawings to describe what you see. Record as you observe. Things will be lost if they are recorded at a later time. When you look, look at size. Is the bird as big as a crow? The size of a pigeon? the size of a sparrow? When you look, look for color. Color is important when identifying a bird. How does the bird move? Does it walk like a crow or hop like a bluejay? Does it hold its tail up or down? Where did you see the bird? on the ground? in a tree? at a feeder? The most important thing is to record WHAT you see, not what you want to see. Label your drawings using colors, textures, and behaviors. Gather all the clues you can to help you make an identification. Then go to your guidebook to identify your bird. Once you have identified a specific species, continue to add observations about that bird.
    Don't limit your journal records to just birds. Look all around you. Choose different subjects like a flower, a squirrel, a box turtle, or a butterfly. Part of the joy in keeping a journal is it increases your awareness of all that exists in your habitat. Do your best not to let the birds know you are there. Use the bird watchers code. Look closely and carefully. Soon your journals will be filled with many wonderful discoveries.