Birdwatching is good for body and soul. I might be considered an evangelist when it comes to promoting the joys of watching our feathered friends but this is more than a personal flight of fancy.
The latest research into the health of seniors in the United States suggests that developing an interest in birds can slow the ageing process.
Also, I read on the Talking Point pages of the Mercury earlier this month that loneliness can be a very big problem among the ageing population, and to a certain degree the friendship derived from being in a birding group, or just meeting other birders while out bird-watching, can help counter this.
Traditionally education programs associated with birds have been directed at schoolchildren, giving them an immediate interest in birds seen from the classroom window and building the foundations for appreciating nature in general later in life.
Now the focus has switched to the opposite end of the age spectrum. The American Institute of Ageing has in recent years been extolling the benefits of what it describes as “a low-key activity that lets older people spend time in nature with purpose, which can be done alone or with others, and inspires gratitude for life’s small gifts”.
Birdwatching, as the institute notes, can be an activity to suit older people whatever their level of mobility. Birds can be viewed from garden seats and wheelchairs for those who are not mobile, and for those who can walk – even short distances – it can offer light to moderate aerobic exercise and cater to different levels of fitness from slow walks in a flat park to invigorating hikes further away. Birdwatching is also good for mental health, helping to decrease stress and anxiety.
“Spending time in nature is inherently calming. The patience that birdwatching requires only serves to enhance this meditative effect. As birders learn to appreciate nature’s slower pace, it inspires reflection, relaxation, and perspective. The exercise benefits that come from walking outdoors also contribute to increased happiness and energy levels. Its quiet nature can be less stressful for introverts than other activities, while extroverts can also enjoy birdwatching in large groups.”
Birdwatching offers multiple cognitive benefits. There’s a range of sensory stimulation and memory exercises for older adults. Observing small visual details, noticing patterns in animal behaviour, and listening closely to bird songs all help to engage the brain. These memory-related tasks enhance older adults’ reflex skills, mental alertness, and can even benefit dementia.
Birdwatching can also be what the experts on ageing describe as “a valuable reminiscence activity” with the appearance of certain species and the sounds of bird song – like the flute-like notes of the magpie – evoking pleasant memories.
To begin your birdwatching adventures it is necessary to be armed with some basic tools: a good bird identification book and a pair of binoculars. Looking through the books and exploring local bird species in the neighbourhood – and at the time meeting other birders – are wonderful bonding activities that can be done anytime.