The Joy of Bird Watching 🐦
Hello everyone!
I wanted to take a moment to express my love for birds and share some of the benefits that come from observing and listening to them. I've always enjoyed hearing birds in the background of my daily routine, but lately, I've been paying more attention to them, and it has brought me a great sense of joy and gratitude.
Bird watching and listening can be incredibly beneficial for our mental health and well-being. Engaging in this activity allows us to be present in the moment and practice mindfulness, which can help reduce stress and anxiety. Additionally, observing birds can also help you to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world. From the intricate patterns on their feathers to the fascinating ways they communicate with each other, there is so much to discover and learn about these amazing creatures.
If you are interested in observing birds more closely, there are many ways to do so. You could simply sit outside and watch them in your backyard or local park, or you could invest in a pair of binoculars and go on a bird-watching hike. There are also many resources available online and in books that can help you to identify different species and learn more about their behaviour and habits. One of the most important things is to be patient and take your time. Birds can be shy, and it may take a few minutes of waiting before they reveal themselves. It's also essential to be respectful of their habitat and not disturb them.
I'd love to hear from others in the community who enjoy bird watching or listening. What are some of your favourite birds to observe? How has this activity helped you practice gratitude and positivity? Do you have any tips for beginners who want to start bird watching or listening?
@Mya000 This is neat!
I moved to Australia and I love looking at the birds here. We live in an area with a lot of cockatoos, galahs, kookaburras, and various brightly coloured birds. I never get sick of them. We went away on holiday to another state and saw lots of pelicans. I'd never seen a pelican in real life before, I thought it was so cool! And quite a few wild emus too.
@victoriousblue17 That sounds amazing! Australia is known for its diverse and unique wildlife, and it's wonderful that you get to experience it first-hand. Seeing new and exciting animals for the first time can be a truly special experience, and I'm glad you had the opportunity to see pelicans and emus on your holiday!
@Mya000 This is so cool, thank you for the birdwatching tips! I'm such a huge bird person (I have a blue and white pet budgie, too!) and they're always a pleasure to hear in the mornings, or when I'm out walking on my way to my school. We have a hummingbird feeder in our backyard, so in the spring and summer, there's never a long silence before you can hear the buzz of a hummingbird's wings. I agree a lot with what you said about how birdwatching helps us feel present, and I definitely find that paying attention to bird calls helps me appreciate their beauty and feel grounded in the moment. I'll definitely use these tips when I'm out and about, I would love to notice more birds and be able to pay more attention to them!
@wishfulHero585 Thank you for your kind words! It sounds like you are a true bird lover, with your own pet budgie and a hummingbird feeder in your backyard! It must be lovely to wake up to the sound of birds singing in the morning, and to have the buzzing of hummingbird wings as a background soundtrack in the warmer months! I'm glad to hear that you'll be using these tips to notice more birds and pay more attention to them. Happy birdwatching!
@Mya000
Bird watching is therapeutic 😊
@VictoriaLove7 I couldn't agree more! There's something so calming and peaceful about watching birds in their natural habitat. It's a great way to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
@Mya000
Flamingos are one of my favorite birds to observe, it works out since I live near a flamingo sanctuary. Every time I get to see them, I'm stunned by the display of color every time I see it. I've also gotten into photography quite a bit so that helps. I'd say try to find local sanctuary spots, use a camera or binoculars since a lot of birds typically linger afar, and join a local birdwatching group or community, there are typically many.
@Kyza That sounds amazing! Living near a flamingo sanctuary must be a birdwatcher's dream come true. It's wonderful that you have the opportunity to observe these stunning birds up close and appreciate their vibrant colours. Photography can be a great way to capture those beautiful moments too. Your advice about finding local sanctuary spots, using tools like cameras or binoculars, and joining birdwatching groups is spot on. It's a fantastic way to enhance the birdwatching experience and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Enjoy your birdwatching adventures!
@mya000
I love birds! We always do the big garden bird watch in january. I can't say I'm the best at identifying them all, but you don't have to be good at something to enjoy it!
My care coordinator encourages me to listen to the birds - it is my own minature world to escape to. Autism, and sensory difficulties mean it does not simply drift out of awareness like it does for other people. I like to remind myself of bird song when i can't see the positives of autism.
The one thing that will always stick with me is... the way to tell the difference between a woodpigeon and a collered dove. the dove sings collered dove, collered dove. the pigeon sings, wood pigeon, pigeon, wood pigeon, pigeon!
@teenytinyturtle
I completely agree with you! You don't have to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy their beauty and the experience they bring. The Big Garden Bird Watch sounds like a fantastic activity to participate in!
It's wonderful to hear that listening to birds provides you with a sense of escape and comfort in your own world. Nature has a way of bringing us peace and reminding us of the simple joys in life.
And I love your humorous way of remembering the difference between a woodpigeon and a collared dove through their distinct songs 😂
Thank you for sharing your love for birds and your personal experience!
@Mya000
They are really wonderful! Just to relax to the songs they sing is such a unbeatable feeling.
@LifeisbeautifulbutGodiswonderful I completely agree with you! There's something truly special about listening to the songs of birds and allowing yourself to relax and unwind in nature.
Thank you for sharing your appreciation for these beautiful creatures!
@Mya000 what a lovely post!
@Fristo Thank you so much for your kind words!
I do bird watching and listening. It's a wonderful feel in the mornings and evenings.
I'm not sure of the bird's names and species. I appreciate your idea of watching them during hikes. I'm taking a note of it.
I hadn't been really invested in the activity recently. Your post is a reminder ⏰ of how much I missed those personal therapy moments with nature.
Thankyou @Mya000 !!
@intuitiveFarm444 Thank you for sharing your love for bird watching and listening. It truly is a wonderful experience, don't worry too much about the bird names and species, it's the simple joy of observing them that matters most.
I'm glad my post reminded you of the personal therapy moments with nature. It's easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget the beauty around us. I hope you get the chance to go on hikes and reconnect with the serenity of bird watching soon!
I LOVE bird watching!
I got really into it this year. I did some research to look for nutritious seed to put out for them (without filler or additives) and we have quite a few regulars now!
I love seeing my bird friends!
I’ve also put out several bird baths and shepherds hooks for drinking water (so they don’t have to drink their dirty bath water lol)
It helps me get out at least once a day too because I try to clean their bird baths daily (unless it rains and then I wait until it stops) so getting out and walking around my property is at least half an hour of Time outside which also helps my mental health!!!
Yesterday I watched them for two hours and didn’t even think that much Time had passed
I felt so relaxed! I also saw a deer!
One night I also saw a possum eating some seeds and the next night saw a raccoon eating the mealworms I put out!
I can’t express how happy these birds (and other wildlife) make me and how happy and complete I feel giving them food, fresh water for baths and drinking!!!!
I will continue to improve on my routine for bird watching and next year I want to plant a pollinator garden (for bees)
It’s so important to ground yourself with Nature
🌿🕊🤍✨
@AmethystLotus
That's wonderful to hear! Your passion and joy for bird watching are evident in your words. Creating a welcoming environment for the birds by providing nutritious food and clean baths not only brings you happiness, but also supports their well-being. It's amazing how observing birds and wildlife can have a calming effect and help us feel connected to nature. Your plan to plant a pollinator garden for bees next year is fantastic! Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us!
@Mya000
And they are Dinosaurs!
Our chance to see dinosaurs alive!
BirdLife International: It’s official: birds are literally dinosaurs. Here’s how we know
https://www.birdlife.org/news/2021/12/21/its-official-birds-are-literally-dinosaurs-heres-how-we-know/
National Geographic video: https://youtu.be/eaWb0UUNc00
@HealingTalk That's fascinating! It's amazing to think that birds are actually considered living dinosaurs. I'll definitely check out the resources you shared. Thank you for sharing!
@Mya000
They are beyond wonderful in themselves, but it adds some depth to my appreciation that they are part of that extraordinary group of animals that reigned over the Earth for long, millions of years ago.
@HealingTalk I completely understand and share your sentiment!