Birdwatching: Enjoy Life One Bird at a Time

(Red-bellied Woodpecker in Yaupon tree)

For me, watching birds has been a good way to enter the beautiful world of nature. When I started birding a few years ago, I didn’t know how it would change the way I felt about being outdoors.

When I walk around my yard to watch birds, I become more aware of the different kinds of life around me in addition to the birds. I’ve seen many different kinds and colors of birds in my area, from bright blue jays to red-headed woodpeckers, from indigo buntings to Mississippi kites flying by. Each day, I might find something I didn’t know before, like a new species or an unexpected visitor from a faraway place. I remember how amazing it was to watch a group of kites fly above me for an hour as they were migrating north. Birdwatching is always interesting because there are always new things to see.

Hone Your Observation Skills and Patience

By requiring us to slow down to notice the tiny details of bird life, birding hones our abilities of observation. As we concentrate and pay closer attention, the trills and calls that are normally overlooked come to our attention. In addition to improving our ability to hear individual sounds in a noisy environment, this activity also improves our ability to hear specific sounds in general. When I am bird-watching, I frequently practice mindfulness.  However, there are still instances where I am unable to discern what is taking place in front of me until I go back and examine images from my camera taken at those moments.

Find Rare, Native Birds That Surprise and Delight

As I make my way through the East Texas piney woods, I sometimes see rare and amazing birds. The red cap on the pileated woodpecker’s head looked like a flash of fire the first time I saw one. No matter how often I see them, I’m always amazed by their beauty. On another day, sitting by the pond, I may watch the acrobatics of the Kingfisher as he dives to catch his prey in a single motion. He rarely misses. When I see something like this, it reminds me how important it is to protect nature for our feathered friends who fly and sing in their houses. (As a side note, the iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID apps have helped tremendously with identifying new birds I hear or see.)

Lose Yourself in the Simple Act of Noticing

When I’m birdwatching, I find myself lingering in the moment — savoring it and allowing myself to be fully present. Gazing upon the vibrant colors of different species, I can feel myself becoming calmer. No matter how fleeting their visit, birds always manage to inspire a sense of profound stillness in me. There is nothing more meditative than watching vultures circling in the sky. That one sight never fails to draw my attention and remind me of what life is about.

In this way, birding becomes more than just about the birds — it’s about cultivating wonderment for the natural world around us. Rather than distracting us from life’s challenges as modern technology does, birdwatching immerses us in its beauty so that we may regain our own inner balance and peace. If you’ve never tried birdwatching, I urge you to give it a try — who knows what new insights await you!

Useful Tips for Beginners Who Want to Start Birdwatching:

•Start in your own backyard. You don’t need to go far to find birds. Sit outside for just 15-20 minutes and observe the birds you see and hear visiting your yard. Bring binoculars to get a closer view.

•Get the right gear. In addition to binoculars, a field guide will help you identify the birds in your area. Dress for the weather and terrain. This is so important in East Texas. A notebook or birding journal is useful for recording your observations. If you are new to nature journaling a good place to start (with videos) is John Muir Laws online nature journaling classes on YouTube.

•Learn bird identification. Study your field guide to familiarize yourself with birds in your region. Focus on color, size, markings, songs, behavior, and habitat. Again, iNaturalist and the Merlin Bird ID app are great at helping you identify birds by sight or sound. With practice, identification will become second nature.

•Find a local birding hotspot. Check eBird or ask local Audubon groups for recommendations on places to spot lots of birds. Parks, refuges, trails, and lakes are all great options. Lake Livingston State Park is great, and for free options the trails in our local National areas (Big Thicket National Preserve, Sam Houston National Forest, and Davy Crockett National Forest) are great. Go early in the morning when birds are most active. 

•Start with common birds. Familiarize yourself with birds like chickadees, cardinals, bluejays, sparrows, finches, etc. Once you’ve mastered common birds, move on to more complex identifications. You can use the Merlin Bird ID app to identify birds by sound as you walk and then try to locate the birds by sight.

•Be patient and move slowly. Don’t rush through while birdwatching. Walk quietly, stop frequently, and observe. Many birds are shy or camouflaged. Wait for movement or listen to their song. Staying still also allows you to witness more natural behaviors of life beyond the birds.  

•Keep records of your experiences. Note the birds you observe, your location, time of day, sounds you hear, behaviors you witness, and other details to review and compare for future birding adventures. Your records and memories will become invaluable to you as you continue birding.

•Consider contributing to citizen science. Submit your birding checklists and observations to eBird, Project FeederWatch, or NestWatch to help scientists better understand bird populations and inform conservation efforts. Consider joining efforts such as the Great Backyard Bird Count and other Audubon activities.

With practice, you’ll gain knowledge and confidence as you start to find the joy of birdwatching for yourself. The key is to start simple, be patient, and have fun while exploring nature through a bird’s eye view.