Bored In Your Lockdown? Try Watching Birds

[elleng]

'We find comfort in nature. The psychological benefits are well documented: Spending time with grass and trees and birds, even through a window, makes us feel happier and more relaxed. It’s inspiring and reassuring to remember that birds are migrating north right now, as they have for millenniums. The earth turns, and birds follow the rhythms of daily and yearly cycles.'>>>

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/08/opinion/bird-watching-coronavirus-lockdown.html?

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. Yes! I became a bird watcher when young...

one of my teen jobs was a caddy. On Saturdays the caddies could golf in the early morning. I was and am a horrendous golfer .. spent so much time in the woods looking for my errant shots that I saw lots of birds. So, I traded golfing for bird watching.

Our new location in western NC is bird heaven! Got to get busy learning the various warbler calls ( the app BirdNET really helps!)

[TuxedoKat]

6. BirdNET

I couldn’t find that app. I use one called Bird Songs that is pretty good.

[NRaleighLiberal]

7. weird - it is in the Google Play store, for free. I am an Android user.

[brewens]

2. I spotted a couple yellow flycatchers on my morning walk the other day. We are not supposed

to have those here in north central Idaho, but I had a couple hanging around last year too. They are unmistakable with the white stripes on their wings. It's pretty cool watching them hunt. It's like a cross between a hummingbird and a butterfly the way they maneuver.

Last year about June I was sitting outside and a hen turkey with 11 chicks came into my yard. That was a new one. It's Idaho, but I'm right in the middle of a town of about 35,000, 50 thousand if you count our neighboring Washington town.

[Nay]

3. Those of us who have been birders and nature nuts are doing pretty well these days.

We've always had nature as a solace.

[LakeArenal]

4. Especially if you have some sort of green space to view.

We depend on birds as major entertainment. Before and long after this passes.

[csziggy]

5. For those who don't have a window with a view, or a yard, watch Videos for Cats

Watch videos by Paul Dinning on YouTube - most are listed as Videos for Cats and run 8 to 9 hours. Here is a link to his channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPJXfmxMYAoH02CFudZxmgg

They are static cameras set up at a place where he can put out bird seed. I find them relaxing, just bird song and birds popping in and out to snatch some seeds. Many are filmed in his garden - and he must have a wonderful yard.

The one disadvantage is that he in the in UK so you will learn British birds rather than American, but they are as interesting as any birds. My favorites are the blue tits and the English robins, while the nuthatch is a bit of a bully.

Once our construction is finished and yard refurbished, I am thinking of setting up a channel of my own with Videos for American Cats and so the same with Southeastern US birds!