Birdwatch UK October 2017

Taking part in ‘citizen science’ is not

only a way of giving something back to

birding; it is also vitally important for

monitoring data trends. The RSPB and

BTO facilitate national garden bird

surveys which are a superb initial step

into citizen science schemes. One of my

fi rst truly uplifting birding experiences

was spent in a suburban Norwich

garden in the esteemed company of a

Dunnock while conducting one such

garden survey scheme.

The BTO also delivers a range of

nationwide surveys via volunteers,

and these can be a wonderful way of

dedicating yourself to the monitoring of

a specifi c location and learning about it.

Learning

Birding is the ultimate learning

experience, and as a teacher I’ve

refl ected on the di erent learning

theories that correlate with it. The

standout concept that relates to

birding is the experiential learning

cycle. This idea states that we have

an experience, we refl ect on it,

we make our own concepts and

we experience it again, applying

our own newly developed ideas.

Consider a birding experience

such as seeing a new species. At

the time, you take note of the

bird’s features as well as the

wider situation. Afterwards

you refl ect on that

experience and store

it so that if you

encounter that

50 Birdwatch•October 2017 http://www.birdguides.com/birdwatch

WELLBEING

species again you can

identify it.

As a multi-sensory

experience, birding

provides multiple

platforms for learning.

You can learn

birds visually and

audibly. This can be

supplemented with

reading and research

and then practised

experientially in the

fi eld.

It’s not just birds that

provide a great learning

curve. So too do all the other associated

infl uences, such as the weather, habitats

and migration. There is a wealth of

literature and data that can be explored to

supplement the wider birding experience.

Being active

Government guidelines recommend

that we should partake in 150 minutes

of moderate activity per week in bouts

of 10 minutes or more, where our

breathing is harder and heartbeat faster

than resting rate but we’re still able to

maintain a conversation (Walking for

Health 2013). Of course, there are long

periods of time during birding when

one is inactive, such as when seated in

a hide. However,

there are also

many

species again you can

identify it.

experience, birding

provides multiple

platforms for learning.

You can learn

curve. So too do all the other associated

times during which we are active:

trudging around our local patch or

working through a dune system in

search of drift migrants, for example.

The same report recommends

that people stay active to keep their

minds sharp. Birding and the points

mentioned through this article

intertwine to provide meaningful, multi-

sensory stimulation, helping to keep the

mind active and sharp. This has been

linked with delaying some symptoms of

dementia by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Water is a key habitat for birds –

much birding takes place at locations

featuring water in some way. A 2009

study into exercising in nature found

greater improvements in self-esteem and

mood when activity took place next to

or near water (Barton and Pretty 2010).

It is evident that there is much

more to birding than the simple act

of watching birds, and as with most

hobbies, when engaged with in the

right ways it can be hugely therapeutic.

The fi ve ways to wellbeing are a lauded

approach to promoting and enhancing

positive mental health. When overlaid

with birding there are clear and obvious

correlations. In my upcoming book Bird

Therapy, the fi ve ways to well-birding are

explored in much more depth. ■

Twitching a bird like

the Porthgwarra

Amur Falcon is

a great way of

connecting with

other birders.

Taking part in a BTO survey will provide vital

information on changes in bird populations, as

well as offer some uplifting outdoor experiences.

WWW.BTO.ORG

JOHN HEWITT

4

5

USEFUL WEBSITES

FOR advice on feeding garden birds:

• http://www.rspb.org.uk/feeding/.


• http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/
  gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/feeding.


• http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/feeding-
  birds.
  To report your sightings:


• http://www.birdguides.com.
  Volunteering and surveys:


• http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys.


• http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch.
  Read more about Bird Therapy and
  the  ve ways to well-birding: http://www.
  birdtherapy.co.uk.


• Barton, J, and Pretty, J. 2010. What is the
  best dose of nature and green exercise for
  improving mental health? Environmental Science &
  Technology 44: 3,947-3,955.


• http://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-
  at-work/taking-care-of-yourself/ ve-ways-to-
  wellbeing/.


• http://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/sites/default/ les/
  Walking%20works_summary_AW_Web.pdf.


• http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20010/risk_
  factors_and_prevention/737/how_toreduce
  your_risk_of_dementia.

REFERENCES

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