Turn to the Birds

In literature such as Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, there are strong connections made between exposure to nature and well-being. Here, at Wild Birds Unlimited we all channel the positive energy that comes along with watching birds near your home. There are positive mental health benefits associated with seeing wild birds. Science has confirmed that having birds around your home can act as a sort of preventative health care, creating happier places to live. Check out this study.

So, we just wanted to remind you, to turn to the birds. 

Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
doesn't this image just make you swell with joy?

In this study, common types of birds including blackbirds, robins and blue tits were seen. But the correlation was not about the kinds of birds but the number of birds seen from the home. More birds were associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

There are many ways that watching birds can increase your well being: 

1. Appreciation for Nature 
2. Patience 
3. Sense of Community 
4. Acceptance 
5. Increased Awareness
6. Daily Learning

Watching birds come to your backyard feeders fosters an appreciation for nature while instilling the virtue of patience, as different visitors come and go. There is an amazing community surrounding backyard bird watching (welcome to it!). Backyard bird watching helps you learn acceptance, watching the birds with no control, just passive enjoyment. You become so alert to your feeder set-up and new visitors. It creates opportunities for learning every single day! As much as you do not need to be able to identify birds to enjoy them, it is always exciting to witness a new species and run to grab your identification book! So whether it is catching a glance of birds feeding while you are doing chores, or taking your morning to settle in with a coffee and watch - take solace in the fact that watching the birds is increasing your well-being, while providing food sources for Ontario nature! Increase your backyard biodiversity and feel yourself thrive! 

Warmly, 

Heather