My Journey- How I Became a Bird Watcher

Although I’ve had a general interest in birds for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t until just before my thirtieth birthday that I decided to do something about it. I’m not sure why the timing was just right on that particular day, but it proved to be a decision which would positively transform the rest of my life.

Within six months of starting up with birdwatching, I had joined the local Birding Association and completed their Master Birder course. Within the next ten years, I had become an expert birder and was regularly leading field trips with the Audubon Society.

I’ve made many new friends and found that birding is something nearly everyone can get excited about. I’ve also come to appreciate what a great hobby birding really is. Although it’s certainly not for everyone, birdwatching has been a joy for me in ways that no other activity I’ve ever tried has even come close to matching.

The thing I most love about birding is the chance to look up in any direction and see something I never would have expected. There are birds of all kinds in every habitat – from tropical rainforests, to deserts, to the Arctic, and even right here in my own backyard.

There’s also an immense variety of birds themselves, ranging from tiny sparrows to enormous albatrosses. It doesn’t matter how well you know the birds you’re seeing; there’s always something new yet similar that catches your eye.

I’m also fascinated by how the vast majority of birds have evolved. Most of us know just a very small portion of those bird species, and some of them are so unique that we may never know about them even if we go back to our homelands and take lots of pictures. There’s also something oddly mysterious about these tiny, feathery creatures, which seem to live among us but hardly notice.

That said, I can’t deny that there are plenty of times when I just love watching birds for our own sake. I get a thrill from seeing birds in their natural habitats, and I especially enjoy watching them interact with each other.

That’s just one of the reasons that birding has been such a positive influence on my life. It has given me a good excuse to get out there and take in the vast range of nature as often as I possibly can.

When I’m home, birding gives me something to do and look forward to every single day. While most people might be bored if they had nothing else to do but look at birds, birders are always ready for an adventure – whether they’re heading off into the wilderness or staying closer to home.

I’ve also found that my interest in birds has led me to many other hobbies including photography. I’ve got several bird identification books I’d recommend, and I’m working on a book of my own, but until then I hope you enjoy this blog and looking forward to reading all your comments and letters!

Carl