Bird watching or birding refers to the hobby of observing live birds in their natural environment. Its first wave of popularity occurred in the 1880s, and the hobby developed throughout the 20th century.
Now, people of all ages and at all levels enjoy bird watching. According to America’s State Parks, more than 12 million people actively participated in bird watching in 2018. This figure is on the rise.
A professional bird watcher is called an ornithologist. There is even a World Series of Birding, which takes place every May. And you may have heard the term twitcher used to describe a bird watcher. A twitcher goes to great lengths to see new bird species, actively searching for specific birds to cross off a lifelong list.
If you think that bird watching might be something you’d enjoy, read on to learn why you’re probably right.
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A Brief History of Bird Watching
Bird watching spread quickly from Great Britain to the United States and then became popular in Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, among other countries. In the early days, bird watchers were often also bird killers. People would shoot the birds to get a closer look and identify them. However, with the development of binoculars and other optical aids, it became possible to get that closer look – and the thrill of tracking down a species – without injuring or killing the creature.
Also in the past, bird watchers may have been seen as creepy. The prevailing image was once a man in a raincoat lurking under cover. It was the kind of visual that would have people running to the police to protect the neighborhood.
Of course, bird watchers are not using their binoculars to spy on people. Today’s communities understand that bird watchers enjoy a peaceful, helpful, and nourishing hobby.
7 Reasons Why Bird Watching is Gaining Popularity
More and more people are bird watching because:
- it is inexpensive
- helps connect people to nature
- it is convenient
- it is meditative and calming
- it is challenging
- it can help scientists, and
- it can make you happy
1. Inexpensive
One of the most compelling reasons for becoming a bird watcher is that it takes very little financial investment to get involved. You don’t need special clothes, a bird watching license, or a driving permit. Your basic equipment would include a pair of binoculars for getting a close-up look at birds, a field book to help you identify what you see, and a notebook to make notes about what you saw, where, and when. Many new bird watchers find smartphone apps that work as field guides and birding notebooks.
2. Connected to Nature
Being a bird watcher is a great way to develop your relationship with nature since the practice involves being quiet and still in natural surroundings.
Bird watching can give you a focus when out visiting areas of natural beauty. When birding, it can be easy to spend a lot of time in beautiful surroundings, such as a national park, without feeling that you should be doing or visiting something else.
And note that bird watching isn’t only about using your eyes but also your ears. This means that it is possible – even inevitable – that you will be fully immersed in nature to enjoy this hobby.
3. Convenient
Bird watching doesn’t require an expedition to a national park. Most neighborhoods will provide a potentially surprising diversity to keep you occupied and thrilled by local bird life.
Many birders attract birds by planting trees, plants, and features that correspond to birds’ native habitats. Setting up a feeding station is another way to attract birds to you and your corner of nature.
For some, particularly younger enthusiasts, pencils and pads have been replaced with smartphones. Wherever you stand on the issue, apps and digital cameras have made birding more accessible.
4. Meditative and Calming
Watching birds is facilitated by being calm and quiet. Being a bird watcher brings you at least one step closer to a meditative state, which is excellent for counteracting stress and aiding concentration. Meditation essentially involves focusing on something, often the breath, and bird watching is one of the most pleasant meditations people enjoy.
5. Challenging
At first, you might find it tricky to juggle note-taking and observation, but you will soon get used to this. Still, there is always another bird to find or a new challenge to identify what you have seen, making bird watching perpetually stimulating. It gets easier with practice, but you can always challenge yourself and maintain your enthusiasm and excitement.
6. Scientific
If you join a bird-watching society, your shared findings may help scientists understand the movement, habits, and habitat of various bird species. More and more bird watchers have access to photography equipment, some of it very high quality, making their work ever more useful to scientists. Amateurs take part in studies to help with censuses and determining winter roosts for particular birds, for example.
7. Happiness
Being in nature can make us feel happier. On top of this, the thrill of seeing a bird you’ve been seeking can give you a dopamine hit, meaning that bird watching really can make you feel happy.
The most common times to bird watch are in spring, at the beginning and end of the day. This is when most birds are most active. And remember that bird watching also involves listening. Listen out for their calls and get to know them to help you locate the birds and identify them.
If you meet with other interested bird watchers, stay safe by telling other people what you are doing and verifying their details on Nuwber. Nuwber can also help you learn things such as their profession and location so you can connect around common interests in addition to your growing love for birds.
So now you know why bird watching is popular. And you’ll also appreciate that nothing is stopping you from joining in. So get out there and feel for yourself why bird watching has had such enduring popularity.