Mindful Birding

We all need a bit of a boost right now. Fortunately for me, and for many of you reading this post, birdwatching provides some much needed relief in this difficult state of the world. Birding offers a mindful and uplifting escape that remains even throughout the pandemic.

Sure, we might not be able to travel to a bird reserve or maybe even our local patch, but I've put together some birding activities that just about anyone can enjoy even now. Hopefully, they provide you with some of the mindfulness and joy that we could all do with at this time.

Perhaps the key to all this is that nature is unchanging in the face of all the problems in the human world. Nature can provide great solace during the harsh reality of the pandemic. Watching a Goldcrest foraging in a pine tree today is just the same experience as it was 5 years ago, and it's this normality that we all crave right now. Being present and enjoying the birds you are seeing couldn't be a better way to experience mindfulness.

The ideas I've listed here might not be new to you, but perhaps they paint them in a slightly different light, one that might help you to enjoy experiences you might have previously overlooked or forgotten to enjoy. 

I hope that trying some of these will give you a boost, or maybe just provide a much needed escape, and I hope that birdwatching can continue to provide relief to us all. 

Find a tit flock

There's something quite mesmerising about the sudden explosion of activity of a roving tit flock, especially Long-tailed Tits. The tranquil atmosphere is suddenly overcome with the excited chatter of feeding birds. 

It's hard not to enjoy the present moment as you absorb the sight and sound of birds all around you. For me, it's almost as though the contrast of the busyness of the flock gives me a sense of calm in myself. Go searching for a tit flock, listening for the sounds will be your best bet of pinning one down.

Start a patch list

This is one that you'll see mentioned everywhere at the moment, but for good reason. It really is a great way of enjoying birding during the lockdown. It helps you connect with the world around you and find those hidden birding spots on your doorstep. Maybe you can't get to your usual 'patch' but you can walk anywhere from your front door, and you might find somewhere you've never noticed before.

Most of all though, if you are formerly a keen 'lister', it gives you the motivation to get out birding every single day. You might not get a lifer but you might get that first Goldeneye for your local pond, and if you shift your mindset that can in many ways be just as sweet.

Some young birders are currently doing a patch birding year list challenge - I've found the competition gives me far more motivation to get out looking on my patch.

Redwing migration

This one isn't as easy any more, but in October and November especially, there is something very sobering about walking on a dark night and hearing the high pitched 'tseeep' of a Redwing migrating overhead. 

Try to picture the small bird metres overhead flying in the pitch dark, and the problems of the world will seem to melt away for a second. I've found this one of the very best ways of connecting with nature, and it was a great comfort during the nights of the November lockdown.

Some of our wintering Redwings have already left, but some are still here and can even be heard singing at this time of year. It's a nice thought that that very same Redwing will probably be singing in Scandinavia or Iceland in just a few weeks' time - it helps you feel connected to the rest of the world at a time when you often feel anything but.

Live Nocmig

This is an extension of the previous idea - because it's not just redwings that can be heard overnight. Sitting outside in the dark in the silence wrapped up warm with a hot drink (except for the occasional sound of an overhead migrant) is a really peaceful experience! It might seem unpleasant (and non-birding family members may look at you like you're mad) but it can be really enjoyable, and it offers a bit of variety from another evening spent in front of the TV.

Even better, we are coming to a really good time of year for nocmig - the idea of adding Water Rail and Common Scoter to your suburban garden list might seem unlikely but it really is possible! Who knows, you might hear something even more exciting - birders recorded Ortolan Bunting, Night Heron, Stone Curlew and much more over suburban UK gardens last year, though getting them live is another story...

Walk through a woodland at dawn

For me, that feeling of being up before everyone else on a cold, crisp morning is a great way to instil a feeling of gratitude, but spending it walking through a woodland will make that even better. With the birds being far more active and vocal, it will be a very grounding experience. Try not to write down the birds you see and hear, but instead just soak up the atmosphere, especially the sounds. At this time of year, woodpeckers should be drumming and you might even hear the first Chiffchaffs or Blackcaps singing. Overwintering birds will start singing before the migrants arrive and this is a sure sign of longer days and warmer weather to come. A harbinger of spring after a difficult winter for many people.

Watch a Mute Swan

A regal and peaceful swan can be a very calming presence. It's a common bird and one we might even see every day, but perhaps it was a long time since you truly appreciated one. Spend some time watching one calmly swimming around a pond and some of that tranquility might rub off. Just make sure not to get it angry or it might have the opposite effect!

A big day

Try going on a really long walk from home and seeing how many birds you can get on your list. This makes you appreciate and enjoy even the common species like a Dunnock if you haven't already seen one that morning. It makes that good feeling of adding to your list far more frequent than it would be if you were only year listing for example. Perhaps you could set yourself a target for the day, or for the week. Having something like this to work towards can really help your mindset.

Find a Skylark

There aren't many more uplifting spring sounds than a Skylark gradually building higher and higher into the sky, singing continuously. Most people could probably walk to suitable habitat to spot a Skylark near home, and you might even be lucky enough to live near an area with Woodlark.

Buy a window feeder

During the pandemic, we've all spent more time enjoying the birds in our gardens, but buying a window feeder will give you a chance to see your regular visitors in a whole new way. It might take a while, but I've found overtime the birds have become increasingly brave and come to the window even when I'm standing at it. I have had several times in the last few weeks when I've been stood with my face just a few inches from a Bullfinch. Such a fantastic and underrated bird, this view really gave me a chance to see it in a whole new light - probably the closest non-ringers like myself will get to an in-the-hand view at the moment. Seeing your garden birds in a whole new way will really help you appreciate the subtle beauty in birds you see every single day. A great way to cope with lockdown is to enjoy the little things, and birds present that opportunity every day.

Try to find a Snipe/Woodcock

Where's Wally is a classic childhood past-time, and this is the birders' version! The only difference is that Wally might not actually be there... Snipe, Jack Snipe and Woodcock are very elusive birds, and you would have a chance at finding one in pretty much any local area. The skill though is in knowing where to look and actually picking one out - if you want some help, then thermal imaging has had a big uptake in recent months!