How we research
BirdingPath is published by Hilly Shore Labs— a small, research-driven team focused on the US & Canada. We help beginners become confident birders and recommend gear we can defend with data, not hype. Here's exactly how we work.
We research, deeply — from real data
Every gear pick is resolved from live retailer listings (real ASIN, price, image, rating) and cross-checked against thousands of aggregated owner reviews. Specs come from manufacturer and public product data. Nothing is invented.
The BirdingScore is transparent
Our 0–100 score is 72% owner satisfaction (real rating + review-sentiment) and 28% in-category field value. The full formula is public — see the methodology page. Products are ranked by that score, and any deliberate override carries a note.
We don't claim hands-on lab testing
We are a research-led editorial team, not a test lab. We say 'researched' and 'analyzed', never 'we tested' or 'hands-on'. We'd rather be honest about our method than overstate it — and we don't attach fabricated reviewer personas to our work.
We cite our sources
Factual claims — feeding, nest boxes, disease safety, migration, behavior — link to primary and authoritative sources (Cornell Lab, Audubon, US Fish & Wildlife, peer-reviewed research). Each guide ends with a 'Sources & further reading' list.
We keep it current
Prices and ratings are refreshed on a recurring cycle (last checked July 18, 2026) and shown with a "price checked" date. Articles carry a visible update date, changed only on a real content edit — not on a routine data refresh.
Affiliate disclosure & corrections
When you buy through our links we may earn a commission — it never changes what we recommend or how we score. Spotted an error or a stale price? Tell us at hello@birdingpath.com and we'll fix it. See also our scoring methodology and full affiliate disclosure.