Look! Up In the Sky!
If you’re anywhere near my age you probably shouted the next line out loud.
“IT’S A BIRD!”
“Watch the birdie!” is another often head phrase.
Today, millions of people are.
Bird Watching is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. In the United States and Europe alone, there are thousands of groups dedicated to bird watching,; ranging from small, informal gatherings of friends, to large organizations that hold annual conventions.
If you’ve never tried bird watching, you may wonder what draws so many people into it.
Bird watching’s popularity stems from it’s simplicity and ability to relieve stress. Birds are symbols of innocence and freedom, and bird watchers gain a measure of relief from the day to day stresses of modern daily life simply by looking at these little winged wonders of nature.
Another appeal of bird watching is the thrill of discovery. The sheer variety of birds in the world gives birdwatchers a sense of something new every time they see a breed they’ve never encountered before. Unlike enthusiasts of domestic animals like dogs and cats, bird watchers who want to look at certain breeds may even have to go into the wilderness on camping trips to look for these birds; thus getting fresh air and exercise mixed in with their hobby.
Due t their colorful nature, birds are a joy to behold. They are one of the animals that use visual displays to attract their mates. For this reason, birds are usually colorful, flashy, and really fun to view.
Their behavioral patterns are also more whimsical and playful than most other types of wild animal.
Anther reason people enjoy bird watching is their beautiful songs. While some species of birds just squawk or shriek, there are enough songbirds with melodic voices in the world that some enthusiasts have actually compiled their own recordings of the various songs of the birds they’ve viewed.
Bird watching also contributes towards the preservation of nature. Besides environmentalists and natural scientologists, formal bird watching societies make a habit of knowing which species of birds are endangered, which are rare, and the general behavioral patterns and migratory paths of flocks of birds. With this knowledge, even casual birdwatchers are able to help official wild life preservation groups keep track of and protect avian wildlife.
There are many more reasons that people get into birdwatching. Is it for you? Why not give it a try and find out?