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October 18th, 2009 by KittyKitty

On just about any average day in the U.S., millions of people across the country are watching birds. They are observing via bird watching clubs that they are members of. They join bird watching tours in their own city as well as in far away countries. And, those really into it, plan holidays and family trips around the migration path of their favorite bird species. Bird watching, once you begin, is addictive.

Why do people love to watch birds? Just, what is the attraction? For one thing, it’s relatively inexpensive. All you really need to begin your bird watching hobby is a reasonably good pair of binoculars. Then maybe in a month or two, you’ll invest in a quality camera to capture for all time the birds you’ve seen.

Secondly, bird watching is a great excuse to spend time outdoors. Too many of us spend the year either closeted inside our homes or in a job cubicle. We’ve forgotten what it’s like to breath fresh air and commune with nature. We’ve forgotten that we’re not the only creatures blessed to live on this planet. We’ve forgotten that it’s natural to be outdoors.

Third – convenience. What’s more convenient than watching birds in the comfort of your own back yard? You can go down to your local garden center or pet store, buy a simple bird house kit and some feed, and have a bird sanctuary in your back yard in one afternoon. And, if you’ve done your homework correctly, your newly discovered bird friends will love you.

Fourth – watching birds in their bird house provides you with your own private animal reality show. Within days, you’ll find yourself involved in the various bird families pecking order. Who is dominant? Who’s selfish? Who’s nurturing? Who’s a bully? You’ll begin to recognize distinct personalities. And those among us with slight psychological problems will start to name them.

Fifth – bird watching is a relaxing activity. No matter how stressed out your day has been, once you sit down with your binoculars and aim it towards your bird friends, you’ll notice a sense of calm and tranquility coming over you. It’s inevitable and can’t be stopped. It’s impossible not to feel your blood pressure dropping and the stresses and worries fleeing from your mind.

Sixth – bird lovers realize that they’re helping nature by helping the bird species to survive and thrive. In so many parts of the world, the natural habitats of the indigenous creatures, including birds, have been destroyed. In contemporary society, modern industrial needs and housing development trumps nature every time. With your bird watching hobby, you can help restore some of the habitat balance by providing nesting places, shelter from predators, and food for the birds that you enjoy.

Seventh – bird watching is such a great social and bonding activity for people. Finding people who love the same thing as you do and spending time with them lets you re-connect with your humanity. Rather than spending hours in front of the T.V. screen, you can form friendship bonds that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Eight – bird watching is great exercise. Barely a week passes by without us hearing on the news about the obesity epidemic and how we Americans are getting fatter and fatter by the day. We all know that we should exercise more, but very few of us actually do it. Bird watching is a good way to simultaneously exercise and have fun. Observing and trailing birds through the forest will give you plenty of exercise and help to keep you in good health.

For all these reasons, and more, bird watching is an activity that becomes more popular each year. In truth, it surprisingly has become one of America’s most popular pastimes.