How to Create a Nature Journal with Memo Books: Birds, Trees, and Field Observations

Quick answer

To create a nature journal with memo books, choose a durable, pocket-sized memo book, organize it by observation type, and use simple sketching and note-taking techniques. Start with a 3-pack like the America the Beautiful Memo Book 3-Pack to have dedicated sections for birds, trees, and general notes.

Nature journaling is a rewarding way to connect with the outdoors, document wildlife, and improve your observation skills. Using a memo book as your journal is practical because it's compact, durable, and easy to carry on hikes or in your pocket. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a beginner, a memo book can become your trusted field companion.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a nature journal using memo books, from choosing the right notebook to organizing your observations. We'll also highlight specific memo book options that are perfect for bird watching, tree identification, and everyday field notes.

Why Use a Memo Book for Nature Journaling?

Memo books are ideal for nature journaling because they are small, lightweight, and fit easily into a pocket or backpack. Unlike larger journals, they don't weigh you down on long walks, and their durable covers protect your notes from the elements. Many memo books come in packs of three, allowing you to dedicate different books to different types of observations.

For example, the Original Kraft Memo Book - 48-Pages offers a mixed 3-pack with graph, ruled, and plain paper styles. This variety is perfect for nature journaling: use the ruled pages for written observations, graph pages for sketching or mapping, and plain pages for freehand drawings.

• Choose a memo book with a sturdy cover to withstand outdoor conditions.
• Consider a 3-pack to separate bird, tree, and general notes.

Step 1: Choose Your Memo Book

Select a memo book that suits your needs. For nature journaling, you want something durable and portable. The America the Beautiful Memo Book 3-Pack features colorful photography of 'Spacious Skies,' 'Amber Waves,' and 'Mountains Majesty' on its covers, making it a beautiful and inspiring choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Each book in the pack can be dedicated to a different type of observation.

Alternatively, the Original Kraft Memo Book - 48-Pages is a classic choice with a simple kraft cover that's perfect for customizing with your own drawings or labels. Its 48 pages provide ample space for detailed notes.

• Look for memo books with paper that can handle pencil and pen without excessive bleed-through.
• If you plan to sketch, choose a book with plain or graph paper.

Step 2: Organize Your Journal by Observation Type

To keep your nature journal organized, dedicate different sections or books to different themes. For example, use one memo book for bird watching, another for tree identification, and a third for general field observations. This approach helps you quickly find your notes later.

If you're using a single memo book, you can use tabs or washi tape to mark sections. Alternatively, use a 3-pack like the Butcher Orange Memo Book 3-Pack, which has a distinctive orange cover that's easy to spot in your bag. You can assign one book to birds, one to trees, and one to miscellaneous observations.

• Label each book or section clearly on the front cover.
• Create a simple index at the front of each book to list what you've recorded.

Step 3: Record Bird Watching Notes

When bird watching, note the date, time, location, weather, and the bird's appearance, behavior, and sounds. Sketch the bird's silhouette or key features to help with identification later. Use a dedicated bird watching journal to keep these details together.

The Drink Local Memo Book 3-Pack, though themed around beer, has colorful covers that can be repurposed for birding. Each book is colored to represent a different brew, but the sturdy construction and gold staples make it a fun, durable option for outdoor notes.

• Include a field guide reference for each bird you spot.
• Draw a simple map of where you saw the bird.

Step 4: Document Tree Identification

For tree identification, record the tree's location, size, bark texture, leaf shape, and any flowers or fruits. Sketch the leaf and bark patterns to help with identification. You can also press a small leaf or flower between the pages of your memo book to preserve it.

The Cold Horizon Memo Book 3-Pack, with its deep winter twilight sky and glacial water cover art, is a beautiful choice for capturing the stark beauty of trees in winter. Its pages are perfect for detailed sketches and notes.

• Take photos of the tree as a backup, but rely on your sketches for the journal.
• Note the season and any changes you observe over time.

Step 5: Capture General Field Observations

Beyond birds and trees, your nature journal can include notes on insects, flowers, weather patterns, and other observations. Use a general field observation notebook for these entries. Write down your thoughts, questions, and discoveries.

The Day Game Memo Book 3-Pack includes three memo books and a copy of 'A Drive into the Gap' by Kevin Guilfoile, making it a fun addition to your outdoor reading and journaling routine. The compact size is great for on-the-go note-taking.

• Write in the field, not from memory, to capture accurate details.
• Use sketches, diagrams, and even pressed specimens to enrich your entries.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Nature Journal

1. Choose your memo book: Select a durable, pocket-sized memo book. Consider a 3-pack to separate bird, tree, and general notes. Check that the paper suits your writing and sketching tools.
2. Organize by observation type: Dedicate separate sections or books to birds, trees, and general field notes. Use labels or tabs. Create an index for easy reference.
3. Record bird watching details: Note date, time, location, weather, appearance, behavior, and sounds. Sketch key features. Refer to a field guide to confirm identification.
4. Document tree identification: Record location, size, bark, leaves, and any flowers or fruits. Sketch leaf and bark patterns. Press a leaf or flower between pages for a natural specimen.
5. Capture general observations: Write about insects, flowers, weather, and other discoveries. Use sketches and notes. Write in the field to capture accurate details.

Memo Books Perfect for Nature Journaling

• America the Beautiful Memo Book 3-Pack: Colorful photography of 'Spacious Skies,' 'Amber Waves,' and 'Mountains Majesty' are reproduced in full-color on our 18th Quarterly Edition. The inspiring cover art matches the beauty of nature and encourages you to document your outdoor adventures.
• Original Kraft Memo Book - 48-Pages: Our original 48-page memo books are small, pocket-sized notebooks with graph, ruled, or plain paper styles – and a mixed 3-pack featuring one of each type. The variety of paper types lets you switch between writing, sketching, and mapping, making it versatile for nature journaling.

Starting a nature journal with memo books is a simple and rewarding practice. With the right memo book, you can capture the beauty of the outdoors in a compact, durable format. Explore the America the Beautiful Memo Book 3-Pack to begin your nature journaling journey today.