Congratulations on completing your month of 5ks! That must have really taken some discipline.
It’ll be great to meet you at the event next weekend. I’m looking forward to it!
I’m no bird expert, but I think there’s no reason you can’t get in to bird watching just by spotting what‘s around on your regular walks, pausing for a look through the binoculars whenever you see something. I find it can be harder to see and learn birds in a woodland or park than at eg a reservoir bird hide, because they’re often small and there’s a lot more cover to lose them in! But there’s no sitting still required and it’s still very rewarding as you get to know your local patch. You’ll learn loads quite quickly, which is a satisfying part of it too. I love getting to know the birds that want to be in the same environment as me.
Seeing a Sumba Hornbill or a Least Boobook that only live on one Indonesian island was an unforgettable experience.
But very little in this life compares to the excitement the first time I ever saw a Ring Ouzel on Bamford Edge. Or the first time each year I hear a curlew and a skylark on the Peak District moors and know spring is here. If you find you enjoy it and take your binoculars out through the year, I think you’ll find it’s another way to connect to the changing of the seasons.
I absolutely love bird watching! It was something my girlfriend and I could invest time in during lockdown - walking over to Carsington Reservoir and learning the different kinds of ducks and waders. It combines time outside, being present, learning new things, curiosity… I think it’s absolutely amazing for me and my brain, before I even get to the excitement of just how many amazing types of birds there are out there when you look.
Now identifying the birds is an essential part of my outdoor experience, on all my walks and holidays. We’ve been all over the place with it, looking for super rare birds in remote Indonesian forests was a highlight, but only this last week on holiday in Mull we saw 50+ species of bird.
Starting to learn just a few more birds (as most people already know more than they think!) really opens up a whole new layer of looking at the beauty of nature.
That sounds like a great way of spending time together, especially travelling to do so! Have you managed to find anything super rare?
I'm usually pretty chuffed watching the robins and blue tits who come to the feeder in my garden. Will definitely have to stick with it... I'll bring the binoculars next week!
Congratulations on completing your month of 5ks! That must have really taken some discipline.
It’ll be great to meet you at the event next weekend. I’m looking forward to it!
I’m no bird expert, but I think there’s no reason you can’t get in to bird watching just by spotting what‘s around on your regular walks, pausing for a look through the binoculars whenever you see something. I find it can be harder to see and learn birds in a woodland or park than at eg a reservoir bird hide, because they’re often small and there’s a lot more cover to lose them in! But there’s no sitting still required and it’s still very rewarding as you get to know your local patch. You’ll learn loads quite quickly, which is a satisfying part of it too. I love getting to know the birds that want to be in the same environment as me.
Seeing a Sumba Hornbill or a Least Boobook that only live on one Indonesian island was an unforgettable experience.
But very little in this life compares to the excitement the first time I ever saw a Ring Ouzel on Bamford Edge. Or the first time each year I hear a curlew and a skylark on the Peak District moors and know spring is here. If you find you enjoy it and take your binoculars out through the year, I think you’ll find it’s another way to connect to the changing of the seasons.
Let’s see what we can spot next weekend!
Thanks mate - yes looking forwards to it!
I only got a small set for that reason, I can slip them in my pocket when I go for a walk. I've normally got the dog with me which don't help though 😂
There's some nice hides in Norfolk which are usually very busy with sea birds so that will be fun next time I'm up there!
Have you done some birdwatching before?
I absolutely love bird watching! It was something my girlfriend and I could invest time in during lockdown - walking over to Carsington Reservoir and learning the different kinds of ducks and waders. It combines time outside, being present, learning new things, curiosity… I think it’s absolutely amazing for me and my brain, before I even get to the excitement of just how many amazing types of birds there are out there when you look.
Now identifying the birds is an essential part of my outdoor experience, on all my walks and holidays. We’ve been all over the place with it, looking for super rare birds in remote Indonesian forests was a highlight, but only this last week on holiday in Mull we saw 50+ species of bird.
Starting to learn just a few more birds (as most people already know more than they think!) really opens up a whole new layer of looking at the beauty of nature.
That sounds like a great way of spending time together, especially travelling to do so! Have you managed to find anything super rare?
I'm usually pretty chuffed watching the robins and blue tits who come to the feeder in my garden. Will definitely have to stick with it... I'll bring the binoculars next week!
Well done on your 5k a day 👏🏼 Have you got the Merlin Bird ID app? If not it’s a game changer and very addictive 😂
I have! That's why I bought some binoculars. Loads of birds pop up on the app but I can never spot them!
My neighbours tells me he sees kingfishers most days down by the nature reserve and I've never spotted on in 4 years 🥺
Seeing a kingfisher would be a bucket list moment for me!