Why Birding?

Birding, according to Oxford Languages, is “the hobby or activity of watching birds in their natural environment and identifying different species”.

My first birding outing was a happenstance romp through a local suburban park four years ago. I was with a friend of mine, a seasoned birder, who revealed to me during that afternoon stroll this intriguing, mysterious, too-often ignored aspect of our natural world.

In the time since that initial enlightening exposure, I have come to see that trekking through the humble natural attractions near me in search of waterfowl, songbirds, and species between and beyond is a unique and rewarding experience I would encourage others to seek out for themselves.

Birding, by its nature, is uncontrollable. Some days, a mixed flock with over a dozen species is perched right over your local trail. Other days, it’s dead silent for miles all around.

Far from a dissuading factor, however, this dynamic is part of what makes birding so compelling. A serene morning walk through nature can bring rewarding surprises to anyone who takes the time to immerse themselves in our natural world.

Beyond its inherent value as an accessible pastime, however, birding also holds significance as a connection to the outside world.

At levels they have not experienced in eons, birds are now threatened by habitat destruction, pollution of ecosystems, and invasive species, some to the brink of extinction.

Famously, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring tells the story of how DDT pollution in ecosystems across America had caused detrimental damage to wildlife. In particular, birds, especially those at higher trophic levels like eagles and falcons as well as larger birds like pelicans, declined noticeably. The “Silent” in “Silent Spring” refers to the palpable loss of birds, and therefore, their calls and songs.

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