Ah, the joys of birding! There are so many reasons why we love it that we can’t list them all. Here are just six ways we find joy in this nature-lover’s hobby.
1. Beauty
The pleasure you feel watching birds take flight and hearing birds in song can only be experienced firsthand. Writer Lynn Thomson describes the feeling birdwatching gives her in her book Birding with Yeats: A Mother’s Memoir. She wrote that watching the birds “reminded me of childhood happiness, gifts under the Christmas tree, perhaps, a kind of euphoria we adults manage to shut out most of the time. This is why I bird-watch, to recapture what it’s like to live in this moment, right now.”
There’s a reason why birds have been longtime muses of art and literature. They’re often associated with natural beauty, unfettered freedom, and an almost divine presence. And while some wax poetic about birds, others are keen to simply enjoy the electric blue of a Blue Jay or the silent gracefulness of an Egret without fanfare.
2. Simplicity
As they say: the best things in life are free. They’re also simple. Part of birdwatching’s draw is that it can be performed almost anywhere, by anyone, and with little or no gear. It’s as easy as looking up in the sky as you take your lunch break outdoors, or hanging a bird feeder in your backyard. No matter where you live, there are birds around you. Beach, mountains, deserts, lakes, islands—all of them are home to an assortment of birds. Take a day hike or a trip to your local park or shoreline and you’ll see. Put your baby in the stroller and walk your neighborhood. Birdwatching is a stress-relieving hobby that’s open to all, and one that only requires you to be present and enjoy your surroundings.
3. Discovery
Did you know that learning a new skill actually strengthens your brain, helps you learn things faster over time, and helps prevent dementia? It also strengthens our sense of purpose, lowers our cortisol levels, and enables our immune systems to function better. It gives our health and creativity a boost. And for kids, it helps with attention difficulties, obesity, and stress.
Apart from the science, discovering and exploring new things are just plain essential for leading an interesting life. Birdwatching offers us endless opportunities for discovery. We get to observe new bird behaviors and sounds and experience colors and patterns we didn’t know could be found in nature. Birding helps us concentrate, get quiet, and live in the moment, taking us from fight-or-flight to a healthier, more balanced state.
4. Collection
From ceramic frogs to sports cars, we love to collect things. And lately, more people are focused on collecting experiences. Birdwatching scratches this collecting “itch” that many have, even though what we’re collecting (bird sightings) isn’t tangible. Still, the collector’s impulse is strong—in fact, the act of collecting stimulates our brain’s pleasure center. But we don’t need to hear from a psychologist to know that it feels good. Just ask your birding friends that are racking up birds on their bird list, or have just noted a rare bird sighting.
5. Hunting
We’ve all heard of “the thrill of the hunt.” But you can satisfy this urge in a way that doesn’t harm any animals. In fact, in his research, one professor found that you could stimulate and satiate this need to “hunt prey” with hobbies like birdwatching, wildlife photography, and even playing Pokémon Go. Birding offers us the thrill of the chase, even if it’s just quietly walking on a mountain trail, waiting for birds to appear. You can hunt for new (to you) and rare bird species. You can even challenge your birder friends to see which one sights the most birds in a day, or a specific species in a set time frame.
6. Connection
Aren’t we all looking for some kind of connection? Whether it’s a better connection with our inner selves, to nature, or to each other—birding helps with all of it! Think about the last time you were out in nature. Did you stop for a second, take a deep breath, and enjoy a moment of calm? Your well-being and cognitive functions improved as a result, according to science. There’s a reason why park prescriptions are starting to become a thing in the healthcare field! And, if the amount of birding clubs out there are any indication, birdwatching is also a great way to meet friends. Even if it’s just watching your backyard bird feeder or listening to birds on a post-work stroll with your partner, a bit of nature every day is like leafy greens for our souls.
More Reasons for Joy!
Have you taken advantage of the tons of FREE resources we offer at Chirp? Check out our Chirp blog for helpful how-tos, fun bird facts, and more. Head to our Activities page to find out details on our next guided bird walk or special-guest bird talk. Find out where the Big Bear birds are with our free “Where to Go Bird Watching in Big Bear Lake” guide. Can’t get enough of that bird stuff? Go over to our YouTube channel for all kinds of demonstrations, virtual bird walks, and other wild bird videos. There’s always something to squawk about at Chirp!
Are you an avid birder? We’ve got just the thing for you! Pick up a copy of our free “Birdwatching Guide for Big Bear Lake” from the Chirp Nature Center. It includes a map of the Big Bear area and a list of the birds you’ll likely run into, as well as other tips for new, young, and advanced birders. Happy Birding!
