Bird Watching is Good for your Beings #BirdGuides

Bird watching is Good for your being to say. People living in neighbourhoods with more birds, shrubs and trees are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and stress. The study, involving hundreds of people and published in the journal BioScience, found benefits for the mental health of being able to see birds, shrubs and trees around the home, whether people lived in urban or leafier suburban neighbourhoods.

The study, which surveyed mental health in over 270 people from different ages, incomes and ethnicities, also found that those who spent less time outdoors than usual in the previous week were more likely to report they were anxious or depressed.

After conducting extensive surveys of the number of birds in the morning and afternoon in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton, the study found that lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people could see in the afternoon. The academics studied afternoon bird numbers — which tend to be lower than birds generally seen in the morning — because they are more in keeping with the number of birds that people are likely to see in their neighbourhood daily.

Common species such as Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit and various corvids were seen during the study, but it was the number of individual birds (rather than species) seen that was linked to mental health quality. Previous studies have found that the ability of most people to identify different species is low, suggesting that for most people, it is interacting with birds that provides well-being, rather than particular species.

Reasons why Bird Watching is Good for your Being

Mental health benefits

1. Reduces stress and anxiety: Studies show that time spent bird watching is linked to a lower prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress.
2. Improves mood: Simply seeing and hearing birds can boost your mood, with research showing this applies to both those with and without depression.
3. Increases focus and attention: Identifying birds requires and builds cognitive skills, such as sustained attention and memory.
4. Promotes a state of “flow”: The intense concentration required for bird watching can lead to a state of “flow” or “being in the zone,” which is beneficial for overall mental well-being.
5. Creates social connection: Joining birding groups can lead to friendships and a sense of community, as many birders are happy to share their knowledge.

Physical health benefits

• Encourages physical activity: Bird watching often involves walking and moving outdoors, which can improve physical health.

Other benefits

• Connects you to nature: It helps you appreciate the natural world and feel more grounded.
• Boosts environmental awareness: Observing birds and their habitats can lead to a greater desire to protect them and inform conservation efforts.
• Provides perspective: Watching the natural dramas of bird life, like nesting or fledging, can provide perspective on your own life challenges.