Bird Watching: A Hobby for the Ages

Bird watching captivates us. Why? I believe there are many reasons. They inspire us, perplex us, and invite us into a world unlike our own. One filled with bright plumage, loud song, nesting rituals and many more behaviours that are so interesting. 

Downy Woodpecker hand feeding. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Books that focus on children’s exposure to nature, such as Last Child in the Woods by Robert Louv, declare that there is a strong connection between exposure to the natural world and well-being, in general, and specifically for children. 

However, it doesn’t stop there. Generalized studies (not age specific) have confirmed that having more birds around our place of living, actually does make us happier. The correlation found in this particular study was not associated with certain types of birds or rare birds, but rather just the number of birds seen around ones home. Seeing birds actually just makes us happy - regardless of age! 

Of course this makes us happy! Chickadee hand-feeding. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

At ANY age, birds can connect us to something larger than ourselves, the natural world. They incite a natural human curiosity, they fly! Something that is so foreign to us. They sing, they dazzle us with bright colours and vibrant song. 

It also creates an opportunity for life long learning. As much as you may know about bird life history or identification by sight and/or sound, there is ALWAYS more to learn, more to explore. 

In my personal experience, backyard birding is a fantastic opportunity for connection across generations. It is something that a grandmother can explore with a young child, that parents can share with their children. That we can ALL marvel in together. 

I want to recommend some specials currently available on Netflix that will captivate audiences of all ages:

Dancing with the Birds 

This documentary focuses on exotic, tropical birds and their mating rituals. It is INCREDIBLE. Everything from their incredibly adaptive plumage, their dances and the stages they make for their performances, this is truly a captivating watch. 

Life in Colour with David Attenborough

This is a document-series that explores colour and it’s role in the daily lives of many species, including birds. It is absolutely fascinating. The colours that simply look beautiful to us, serve as vital tools for survival in the animal kingdom. In this series they use advanced cameras to show you how animals perceive the natural world - some of it is quite shocking! 

Birders

This short film shows birdwatchers on either side of the US/Mexico border and tells the story of migrant birds that travel back and forth across the border each year. Migration is another bird feat that is truly miraculous to us. These tiny little birds, some weighing mere grams, travel thousands of kilometres TWICE a year. 

My favourite way to bring everyone in on the fun? Gift bird-related items. Give someone the gift of bird feeding. Teach others. It is such an incredible way to connect with other people, of any age. I know so many of us are so grateful for the community of Ontario Birds by WBU Barrie and WBU Newmarket, a place where we can all share the joy of seeing birds in our spaces, or seek advice or ID help. 

Bottom line: birds make us happier, at any age. It's never too early or too late to start birding! 

Warmly, 

Heather