Every autumn when the cold weather begins to bite and I get the sniffles, my friends joke that I might have “bird flu”.
The joke is wearing a little thin now in these days of Coronavirus, or Corvid-19, sweeping the world.
Bird-watching is these troubled times has actually been far from my thoughts but the pandemic is occupying the mind of the two biggest bird-watching organisations in the world, the Audubon Society in the United States and Britain’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
“Keep birding” is the message, even if outings become lone affairs without social interaction with others.
As the birding organisations point out, there’s a great danger the virus will isolate people not only from family, friends and workmates but also from the world of nature.
There are more birders in the US than any other country – 26 million at the last count – and although the Audubon Society concedes promotion of birding at such a time might seem “exploitative” , there’s an argument to be made that—as long as bird-watchers don’t put themselves or others at risk—birding is the perfect thing to do at the moment.
The society points out that spending time in nature can serve as a form of social distancing, the strategy epidemiologists are recommending to limit spread of the virus. “Of course, social distancing doesn’t work without the distance part, so this only counts for open spaces that you can reach while avoiding close contact with others,” the society tells members.
For these reasons, American birders are advised not to go birding with a group of friends. And the society doesn’t suggest involvement in all-day outings. “Just walking to an uncrowded neighbourhood park, or driving a nearby wood, will do it. “
Even paying closer attention to common birds seen through the windows at home can be beneficial.
“Birding’s a great way to relieve stress, and should present little or no threat of exposure,” says Robyn Gershon, an epidemiology professor at New York University’s School of Public Health. “We should encourage these healthy coping mechanisms, and also it’s good for people to maintain their enjoyable pastimes to the extent possible.”
As Gershon suggests, birding, like other outdoor pursuits, can also be great for mental health. “There’s a growing body of scientific evidence indicating that contact with nature can ease anxiety and provide an all-around mood boost. With rising fears and palpable tension in the air, we can all benefit from this calming influence. “
Biding can also ease the pressures of workers who are now confined to their homes.
“If you’re adjusting to a new work-from-home set-up, take an afternoon break to sneak in a few minutes of out-the-window birding,” Gershon adds.
The million-strong RSPB has closed its offices but is keeping its reserves open. And in these dark days, the society’s logo depicting an avocet – a bird recovered in sufficient numbers in Britain to be taken off the threatened list – is being seen as a harbinger of happier times.