What Birding Teaches Us

Whether you have been a birder for decades or a week, I think we can all attest to the fact that it has taught us something. The hobby itself is so fulfilling, in part, because we find pieces of ourselves within it. We see the bigger picture, through these small beings. 

Golden Winged Warbler. Photo by Shayna Hartley. 

Here are some of the life lessons birding teaches us:

1. Life Has Seasons: Every year, birders marvel at the explosion of colour, life, and migration that comes around in the spring. However, we have also learned to find joy in the darkest and coldest months of the year, watching our year round residents. Learning from their resilience. The brilliance of a male cardinal shining in a winter storm. You can always find something to appreciate. 

2. There is Always Room to Learn: to bird is to be a lifelong learner. There is always a new bird to see, whether it be here or abroad. 'Lifers' to check off of our lists. Calls yet to be heard. Identification skills to hone. Even phases of plumage to recognize (breeding vs non breeding). 

Bright Male Cardinal. Photo by Leanne Leblanc. 

3. The Small Are the Mighty: each year we witness the smallest of birds and butterflies travel thousands of kilometres to and from their breeding grounds. It is an incredible feat, and one that we as humans still have so much to learn about. From warblers to hummingbirds, animals that weigh but the smallest fractions of ourselves, covering ground we never could without aircraft. Their strength and perseverance prove that the small, are the mighty. 

Blackburnian Warbler (male) during spring migration. Photo by Heather Kerrison. 

4. Be a Good Listener: as a birder, you must stay quiet and simply listen. Birding often feels meditative because there is no space to do anything other than tune into your surroundings. Listen for rustling or calls and songs. Watch for movement. As we focus on the environment around us, we quiet our inner thoughts. 

5. Small Actions Make a Difference: as threats to bird and wildlife habitat and food sources increase every year, our actions absolutely make a difference. Whether you are putting out high quality food to support nesting birds, migrating birds, and overwintering birds, planting native plants for natural food sources and shelter, providing a water source, or providing housing - it all matters. Species like Barn Swallows (Species at Risk) almost exclusively nest in manmade structures at this point. Planted milkweed has slowly aided Monarch populations in steadily increasing. Even if your motivation is the privilege to view these animals in your backyard - it aids biodiversity as a whole. 

Eastern Bluebird at its nesting box. Photo by Kristen Martyn. 

Birding gives us all a home outside of our bodies. A point of connection to people of all denominations, all ages. A reason to wonder. A reason to hope. A reason to perpetually, look up, and look forward. 

Do you have any lessons to add?


A forever student, 

Heather