This is Bird Note.

I'm Darry Miles Wilson and I'm a birder and naturalist from Maryland.

A decent pair of binoculars can considerably enhance your enjoyment of birds.

Since binoculars are an important tool for bird watching. Here is a crash course on how to use them.

If you're picking up your binoculars for the first time, adjust your set to ensure the distance between the two barrels lines up with your eyes.

The goal is to get a uniform, circular image when looking through the lenses.

If you wear glasses, roll the eye cups down for more comfortable viewing.

Next, find the diopter adjustment knob located on one of the barrels close to the eyepiece.

It's usually near the right eye cup.

Fine-tuning the diopter helps compensate for the differences between your eyes.

Finally, adjust the thumb wheel, also called a focus wheel, in the center of your binoculars.

Turning the wheel one way brings closer objects in the focus. Going the other way focuses on distant objects. A professional trick is to look at the object with the naked eye first. Then bring the binoculars up to your eyes instead of scanning for objects through the binoculars. Now you're ready to watch the wildlife.

This week is Black Birders Week.

To learn how to participate,

follow the hashtag Black Birders Week on social media and visit birdnote.org.