Birding, or birdwatching as it used to be known, is a fascinating hobby where you observe and study birds in their natural habitat. As a birder, you have a passion for identifying different bird species, and really appreciate their unique characteristics and spend time understanding their behaviour.
More and more, people have found a ‘spark bird’ – that one special bird that leads to a lifelong passion. Birding can be so much more than just a casual activity. Enthusiasts enjoy taking trips to explore different locations where they can observe the greatest variety of bird species, connect with nature and even contribute to bird conservation efforts.
Birding is more than a “pastime”, it’s a way of seeing the world. That’s why before you ‘take off’ on your next birding adventure, you need to have travel insurance in place.
How to travel like a Birder
If you want to travel like a birder, you need to always be ready to bird. One reason birding is becoming so popular is that it doesn’t require much equipment – perfect for avoiding checked luggage on your flight.
It’s perfectly acceptable to go birding with just a pair of binoculars in your backpack and you’re good to go. If you have the space, take your camera. You likely will already have a smartphone with you anyway when you travel – so that just fits in your pocket or carryon. You can load your smartphone with birding apps instead of paper guides. There are great identification apps like Merlin and ones that help you learn bird calls like Larkwire.
What’s your destination? Many birders prefer to visit fewer places and spend more time birding and less time travelling. You can study a regional field guide in your destination area and make a “hit list” of target birds. Plan your accommodation to be close to your target species or to a local bird club.
Did you have a sighting? Exciting! You can add it to an online database like eBird to share it with others.
If you’re travelling out of province or internationally, don’t forget travel insurance
First, it’s always a good idea to give your planned itinerary to family and friends before you go off the beaten path to make your discoveries. Birding can take you to remote and potentially hazardous locations where access to medical facilities may be limited.
When you travel out of the country, or outside of your home province, many emergency medical expenses are not covered by provincial health insurance plans. That’s where travel insurance can help. There are many travel insurance options that will cover you for emergencies that arise during your trip.
Planning to travel to another country?
Emergency medical plans provide coverage for unexpected medical emergencies that happen during your trip so you can access health services for evaluation and treatment at walk-in clinics or urgent care centres and hospitals, or even be evacuated
Planning on travelling only in Canada?
There are affordable emergency medical plans for medical costs not fully refunded by your province of residence (each province in Canada covers different medical costs at different rates, which can lead to significant out of pocket costs for care)
Just plan on one big birding trip a year?
You can choose cost-effective single-trip insurance coverage to ensure your medical needs are covered in an emergency for the exact number of days you will be away
Plan on birding often?
Multi-trip insurance may suit your needs better – covering every trip you take in a single 12-month period
Already have some travel coverage?
Choose a top-up insurance plan to add extra days to a trip
Pre-arranging your travels?
A good value choice is an all-inclusive plan that offers Emergency Medical insurance as well as coverage for trip cancellation, baggage loss or delay, vehicle return, transportation of a loved one to you, air ambulance, and other unexpected hazards that come with travel (you can also buy Trip Cancellation or Interruption insurance separately).
Fully immerse in the joys of Birding without the worry of potential financial losses
You never know where and when you’ll see a fabulous bird, and you never know where or when you may need the support of travel insurance to protect you from financial expenses you can’t foresee. Whether your birding adventures take you to remote places all over the world, or you are set on discovering the birds of Canada, Special Benefits Insurance Services (SBIS) will help make sure your medical needs are covered in the event of an emergency. If you have questions or need help finding the right travel insurance plan, feel free to reach out to us at SBIS at 1-800-667-0429 during our regular business hours or email us at [email protected] or go online to get your coverage today.
