Birdwatching : A Wonderful Hobby That Can Transform Your Life by Boosting Your Mental Health
Did you know that if it weren’t for birds our whole way of life would be drastically different? How’s that, you say? If it weren’t for birds, insects would eat our crops and trees. Birds are very high up on the chain of maintaining a healthy balance in our ecosystems. Birds provide a beauty and movement of life that is vital to our own quality of life.
Bird watching is an exciting and healthy hobby, done alone or in the company of friends. Bird watching is an introduction to our natural environment. It’s easy to get started. Just make a list of all of the birds you already know. You’ll be surprised to find you can recognize the robin, crow, chickadee, hummingbird, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose and blue jay. That’s a good start. Whether or not you live in a city, town or rural area, birds are all around you.
Birdwatching – A Recreational Activity
Birdwatching is a form of wildlife observation in which the observation of birds is a recreational activity. It can be done with naked eye, through a visual enhancement device like binoculars and telescopes, by listening for bird sounds, or by watching public webcams. Birdwatching often involves a significant auditory component, as many bird species are more easily detected and identified by ear than by eye. Most birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational or social reasons.
Historical Aspect of Birding
Birdwatching in real terms dates back to late 18th century. The study of birds, and natural history in general, became increasingly prevalent in Britain during the Victorian Era, often associated with collection of birds and eggs. It was only in late 19th century that called for bird protection, started owing to the increasing popularity of observations on birds. As a result, the Audubon Society was started to protect birds in the United States while the Royal Society for the protection of birds began in Britain.
Initially, birdwatching was a hobby undertaken in developed countries. Since the second half of 20th century, an increasing number of people in developing countries have engaged in this activity – transnational birding has played an important role in this, as birders in developing countries usually take up the pastime under the influence of foreign cultures with a history of birding.
How to Start Bird Watching
When beginning your new hobby, go slowly. Don’t get overwhelmed with the over 200 species of birds in your area. Get yourself a small pocket notebook and begin listing all of the birds you see as you go about your daily routine. If you can, grow native trees, shrubs, vines and perennials, encouraging your winged friends to use your garden for resting, nesting as well as feeding. You can supplement with a feeder and put out a bowl of water and list the thankful little fellows that come in to gain sustenance. Keep a daily list and also begin building a life list, where you write down each individual species you come across.
Next, you should consider getting a good field guide on bird species. Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds is the most common, but personally, I prefer the National Geographic’s Birds of North America. Most guides show colour pictures of the birds, grouped in families, and tells where they range and what their key ID marks are. To help you figure out what birds you are seeing, pay attention to their shape, size and markings. These points may also tell you about the bird’s habits; for examples, stout bills are used to crack seeds and thin bills are used for catching insects. Also watch how the bird flies – along a straight path, or in an undulating, or up-and-down pattern – and the environment in which you find it. These factors might make a difference in telling one bird from another.
Then you should start saving up for a good pair of binoculars. Don’t waste your money on cheap ones. Go to a store with an expert who can give you good advice. Binoculars have different ranges and scope, but the best measure for beginners is either 7 x 35 or 8 x 42. Now that you have your “bins,” guide and notebook, you are ready to take to the field.
Where to Start Bird Watching
Start with your own garden and surrounding neighbourhood. You’ll be surprised what birds you find on buildings, in trees and in parks. Early morning is the best time to go bird watching, for this is when birds tend to move about more, looking for energy-giving food. Take your time; set a goal for, say, ten species; find them in your guidebook and don’t forget to list them. Tell your friends all about what you are doing and entice them to join you.
At this stage, I am sure you want to know more. It’s time to start looking around for resources. Check with your nearest nature store for local guide material on where to go bird watching. Talk to store staff about contacts. Look in your local newspapers for bird information columns. Go online to find all sorts of information. Look for advertisements for local birding walks conducted by experts.
Perhaps the next important step in your new hobby is to join a group. Check your recreation departments for listings of birding clubs or field naturalist clubs. If you can’t find any, perhaps you should start one.
Positive Aspects of Birdwatching
There are so many positive aspects of birdwatching, namely:
1) Economic Aspect – birdwatching equipments, ecotourism
2) Monitoring – through birds censuses, migration
3) Environment education
4) Competition – more prevalent in USA, UK as compared to India
5) Organization – prominent national and continental organizations concerned with birding include the British Trust for Ornithology and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the United Kingdom, and the American Birding Association and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in North America. In India, BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) is taking care of birds related activities.
6) Equipments – there is a vast range of equipments now available for birdwatching right from binoculars to high end mirror lens cameras, videography, portable media players etc.
Learnings from Birdwatching
Personally, we get so much to learn while birdwatching:
- You get a reason to explore the world. You may not know of Smriti Van, but ask any birder and he/she will tell you about its serendipity and plethora of birds found there. People around you might not understand what’s so special about marshy grassland but you do.
- It gives you a chance to mingle with like-minded people and who knows, you might find lifelong friends (happened to me during my recent trip to Uttarakhand). People from all walks of life are taking up birdwatching – you might meet yoga teachers, artists, lawyers, engineers, badminton players, businessmen etc. – all in one circle. Is that not a good opportunity to branch out and maybe even widen your perspectives? Personally, I am seeing more doctors being inclined to birdwatching.
- Your eyes become sharper. You learn to distinguish raptors soaring high in sky just by the tail pattern.
- You learn to be grateful and mindful. Though, this is an unconventional way, it still leads to mindfulness. Birdwatching inherently makes you live in the moment, to appreciate small stuff, to be happy in whatever state you are and find balance, in your head and in your heart.
- You become environment conscious. From indifference, you step into the light of awareness. You care about saving trees, not throwing plastic in water bodies, illegal trading of animals and often times you start actively doing something about it.
- Birdwatching comes with added advantage mostly. People often pair birdwatching with other hobbies like hiking, kayaking, painting, photography, and even gardening. It has even become a sport in some countries.
- Birdwatching is full of surprises. You can walk a path a hundred times and still be surprised by a bird that might turn up on your way. And who doesn’t like surprises?
Health Benefits Associated with Birdwatching
As a Doctor, I have found so many health benefits that we don’t realize while birdwatching:
- Just listening to bird song contributes to perceived attention restoration and stress recovery.
- Within minutes of being in natural setting, things like cortisol, a stress hormone, improve.
- Within 15 minutes, the ability to solve puzzles and cognitive benefits are seen. Even attention seems to get better. At around that time, blood pressure improves and so does pulse.
- A lifetime of regular exposure to nature, whether walking in a park or camping in a forest is associated with improvements in cardiovascular disease and longevity.
- There are health benefits of birding in a group as well, since multiple studies show that social connections and friendships are the key to a long, healthy life. Sharing a hobby you’re passionate about can connect you to others.
- I have myself noticed a calming effect of birding on my private practice as a surgeon.
Ethics to be Followed While Birdwatching
There are certain ethics, which need to be followed while birdwatching:
- Habitats where they live must be protected.
- Keep disturbances to birds and their habitat to a minimum.
- When you find a rare bird, think carefully about whom you tell.
- Do not harass any bird for that perfect view or photo.
- Abide by bird protection laws.
- Respect the rights of land-owners.
- Respect the rights of other people around you, since in Indian scenario we get most of the help from villagers, so there privacy should be taken care off.
Why Birdwatching Is A Fantastic Hobby For Young Children
Bird watching is a great hobby for children, especially those with a keen interest in nature and animals. Not only is it a fantastic educational activity, but bird watching is also the perfect excuse for getting your little ones outdoors, whether it’s in your garden at home or exploring local areas such as parks or nature reserves.
Encouraging your children to have an appreciation for the natural world will get them away from screens and trying something new. It’s also an activity you can do together. No matter how old your child is, there are plenty of ways that birdwatching can get them excited about nature, conservation, and the outdoors.
Why is birdwatching great for young children?
Bird watching is a hobby that’s inexpensive but incredibly rewarding. Children are naturally curious about everything around them, so introducing them to the wonders of nature is a great learning experience. If you’re looking for a way of reducing screen time and inspiring them to have a love of nature, all they need is a good pair of binoculars and they’re ready!
Some of the top benefits of birdwatching for children include:
Birdwatching can be done in your very own garden
Did you know that there are hundreds of birds that you can spot at home? There are many common birds that your children can watch from their bedroom window — and if they’re lucky, they may even catch some rare species! Starting at home is an excellent way of getting them interested in the wildlife that’s on their very doorstep. Before long they’ll be pointing out different species of birds, naming them, and learning about their behaviors.
There are many fun activities that go alongside bird watching
Birdwatching isn’t just about sitting with a pair of binoculars for hours on end. There are plenty of additional activities that your children can take part in to enhance their birdwatching experiences. For example, you can make a bird feeder to attract birds into your garden or create some arts and crafts based on the birds you’ve spotted. Birdwatching can be incredibly thrilling. As your child spots new species of birds or begins to recognize those familiar to them, they’ll be excited about getting outside and seeing what they can find.
Your child will spend more time outside
In today’s world where technology is a prime source of entertainment for everyone, including children, it can be difficult to get them outdoors. By introducing birdwatching at a young age, you can quickly teach your children about the incredible things to see and do outdoors so they grow to have an appreciation for getting out and about. Birdwatching inspires children to explore, learn and be enthusiastic about what’s around them.
Birdwatching requires little equipment
Your child can start their birdwatching hobby with very little equipment. All they need to get started is a pair of binoculars so they can begin spotting birds big and small! If you need some binoculars that are child-friendly, you can find design features such as a lightweight body for smaller hands and a wide field of view that makes them easy to hold still.
Children will learn valuable skills
Birdwatching is a fantastic hobby for children as it’s not only fun but also teaches various great skills. As they invest more time in it, kids will learn how to be patient, commit to mindfulness, and persevere in whatever they want to do, no matter the challenges — three key skills that have value in all parts of life.
If you want to encourage your child to get outdoors and learn about nature, birdwatching is a hobby that offers all of that and more! With a pair of binoculars in hand, a child of any age can get started, and you can easily enjoy it with them.
A Life-long Adventure
Once you get started on your new adventure with the birds, you’ll find it difficult to stop. Bird watching becomes a life-long pursuit for that one more bird to add to your life list. However, you must keep in mind birds are not here for your enjoyment; they need your help to ensure their survival. Here is a Birder’s Code of Practices for you and your group to consider:
- The welfare of birds must come first.
- Habitats where they live must be protected.
- Keep disturbances of birds and their habitat to a minimum.
- When you find a rare bird, think carefully about whom you tell.
- Do not harass any bird for that perfect view or photo.
- Abide by bird protection laws.
- Respect the rights of land-owners.
- Respect the rights of other people around you.
Enjoy your new hobby of bird watching. I just know it will enrich your life as it has mine.
Birdwatching: tips for beginners
Birdwatching is an increasingly popular hobby. If you want to try your hand, look no further. Here are ten tips for budding ornithologists.
Tip 1: Start small
Hearing an intermingling of birdsong on a morning walk is delightful. However, it can make distinguishing individual birds a daunting task. As such, it is best to start with a few, easily identifiable species. Garden birds are best, as they are so well known. Think: blue tit, great tit, blackbird, robin, magpie or chaffinch.
Tip 2: Use the right equipment
Birdwatching requires two things: binoculars and a bird guidebook. For the binoculars, it is best to have at least 8x magnification and a 40mm lens diameter. A new pair will set you back around £150, but second-hand models are just as good and a fraction of the price. In principle, however, try before you buy, especially if you wear glasses.
Binoculars are the most important piece of equipment for an ornithologist [Photo: Alexander David/ Shutterstock.com]
There are many good birding books, but we recommend The Collins Bird Guide by Peter J. Grant and Lars Svensson. The birding guide presents all the important, species-specific characteristics, includes detailed illustrations, and offers extra information on the habitats and distributions of the birds.
Tip 3: Listen out
Listening makes up a large part of ornithology. Birds can be shy and are best left undisturbed. Luckily for us, their unique songs will give them away, even if they are not in sight. The easiest way to learn a bird’s song is to watch it singing. Since this is not always possible, you can listen to recordings of birds singing on CDs and apps.
It is easiest to start learning bird songs in the colder months, as there are fewer songs to distinguish. By spring, the number of voices will continually increase and allow you to incrementally add to your repertoire.
Tip 4: Take notes
When birdwatching, it is always good to note down the birds you have seen, when and where. This forces you to really identify the birds, and provides a diary of the species you have already seen. In spring, migratory birds gradually return to our islands and your diary will provide a great overview of any seasonal changes you see.
Tip 5: Offer food
Feeding stations are a simple way to attract birds to your garden. Birds can take some time feeding, which allows even children to watch them from afar. To prevent mould, however, be sure that any food you put out, be it self-made or a fat ball, is moisture-free. Also, your feeder should be out of reach of cats and, to prevent the spread of disease, constructed in such a way that birds cannot sit and defecate in their feed. Finally, the feed itself should be diverse, as different species have different requirements.
Tip 6: Learn from a professional
Experienced ornithologists can give you a great head start in your birdwatching journey by highlighting the distinctive sounds you should listen out for.
Tip 7: Use the twilight hours
You don’t need to be an early bird to go birdwatching. Although loudest in the morning, many songbirds, such as the blackbird, redstart and great tit are active until dusk. And because there are fewer sounds, twilight is well suited for beginners. Once it is completely dark, most songbirds fall silent. But if you hold out a little longer, you may discover some nocturnal species, such as the field warbler, partridge and owl.
Tip 8: Use nesting aids
Nesting aids are another great way to attract birds to your garden. Like a bird feeder, you can make it a family project and build your own bird box. Birdhouses give you the opportunity to observe your birds’ breeding behaviours: from building a nest to raising young. But be sure to build the right birdhouse for the right bird!
Tip 9: Plan outings
To discover even more birds, why not go on a little trip? Rare species often have certain demands that cannot be met in urban environments. In many bird sanctuaries, these rarer species find refuge, so you can watch them in their natural habitat.
Tip 10: Show consideration
However fun birdwatching may be, it is always important to leave birds undisturbed, especially during breeding season and near their nesting sites. Avoid opening birdhouses, except to clean them in late spring. And in protected areas, it is best not to leave the paths to chase down animals. Normally, sanctuaries have special vantage points from which to observe the birds while they go about their business.
SH VICTOR BANERJJEE, JAMSHEDPUR
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