Hobbies: A Glimpse Into Birding

We take birds for granted. These fabulous creatures are worthy of our affection, symbolic of the innate beauty and diversity of our planet. During the pandemic, I found myself leaning into my curiosity for the natural world and one of the ways in which that curiosity expressed itself was through birding. When I was younger, I vividly remember watching flocks of black birds spiraling the morning gray skies on my way to school. Their performance inspired me even during the darkest of times; things might not have been going well, but watching the birds made life a bit more bearable. I would circle them with my eyes, as if I was trying to catch them but if there's anything I've learned from birding it's that you cannot contain nature.

In 2021 I purchased my first pair of binoculars, determined to study the birds that visited my backyard. At the same time I began gardening, I also set up a bird feeder to support my brethren with beaks. I knew absolutely nothing about birds. The only species of bird I felt familiar with was the mighty pigeon, and that too was a bird I neglected to notice. However, once I got my hands on those binoculars I started sitting outside in my yard trying to observe everything that I could about bird behavior. It was as if I was using my eyes for the first time, perceiving something I had never even thought of before.

It was, at times, funny to observe bird behavior. Birds are all around us, making their presence known. Whether it's the fuzzy outline of a nest in a tree, or the sound of birdsong, birds are sort of always there, yet this was my first time really appreciating them and sharing space with them. I was in complete awe of everything. I experienced pure joy watching cardinals swallow sunflower seeds. It was also just as exciting to realize that there were a lot more birds that visited my backyard than I had anticipated.

At some point, I yearned for more adventure in my birding journey and decided to intentionally visit spaces with different bird species. Seeing birds in their natural environment, simply existing always brought me a sense of peace. Birding is a patient hobby that requires loose expectations and gaining nothing in return. I do not get to capture the birds I witness, I simply enjoy their being without any attachment. There is absolutely nothing to gain from birding but the joy that comes from exploration and feeling the presence of the natural world. The birds have taught me so much, and they haven't even said anything to me at all. Heck, they don't even acknowledge my existence as much as I am inspired and impacted by theirs.

What I love about birding is the inaction; the stillness that comes from waiting and watching is a lost art form. You don't have to achieve anything, there is no transaction between you and the bird. The birds have taught me to slow down, to be intentional, and to be in alignment with my existence. It's always struck me how nature can be our greatest teacher, having said nothing to us at all. It is in the silence, perhaps, that we gain the most clarity and learn life's deepest lessons. 

Even if you're not sure birding is for you, I highly recommend sitting still with nature and seeing what comes to you. Whether it's a bird or not, treating every moment with a sense of curiosity and openness can lead you to wonderful things. 

“I would like to paint the way a bird sings.”
​​— Claude Monet

Resources For Bird Enthusiasts 

• Audubon - A basic understanding of birding.
• The Cornell Lab | Bird Academy - A range of courses to learn about bird anatomy, species, and behavior.
• NYC Bird Alliance - A beginner's guide to birding in NYC.
• Wild Bird Fund - A non-profit of volunteers who rescue and rehabilitate birds in the city. 
• NYC Parks - An overview of birding in the many public parks located in NYC.
• The Linnaean Society of New York - An even more comprehensive list of all things birding.
• Merlin Bird ID - An app for keeping track of the birds that you identify. 
• I BIRD NY Challenge - An annual challenge to find 10 bird species in NY state. At the time of this blog post, the 2025 challenge has not yet been announced.