April 22, 2026
Birdwatching and Understanding The Environment
Birdwatching is a fantastic activity; spending time outside where it is completely peaceful. The only real noise is your surroundings. The trees swaying in the wind followed by the soft chirps of crickets and frogs, However arguably the best sound you can hear is a bird early in the morning. The real first sign of spring may be rabbits coming out to forage for food, but birds are the first true sound of spring. Birdwatching can turn abstract noise and colours into personal experiences. The first time you see a bird of prey through the binoculars can be a sweet feeling. Birdwatching can bring you closer to understanding ecology, conservation, and preservation.
Birds are nature's sentinels; not only do they serve in understanding habitat health, but also help you notice pollution in the surrounding area. When birdwatching you will see and hear the sound and colour of the birds you might be searching for. If you know the environment, and the birds who live in it well enough you will notice the changes in the environment due to the amount of those birds in the surrounding area. For instance, you may not see the seagulls on the sandy beach side or an empty Walmart parking lot, however that can be due to weather and seasonal cycle of which the year is currently in. Out in the bush you may see herons landing near the river edge to find fish to satisfy its hunger. If the environment is healthy of course.
Birds are a great indication of pollution, because just as we live in nice clean homes and appreciate breathing fresh air; birds also enjoy those luxuries. Less birds in the area can dictate the cleanliness of the air, and noise floating around from development. As a society we continue to mass develop where the wildlife is, moving in on their homes to the point we scare them away and see lower amounts of wildlife in the area. You would not want a noisy neighbor when you are trying to enjoy some peace and quiet. Some say birds may contribute to the noise, however it can be argued that if it's too loud then the birds are not able to easily communicate with each other about basic needs. When it comes to fresh air; Birds need to be able to breathe to be able to fly much like we need to breathe to run otherwise we may fall. If you are out in the rain or early morning you can see and hear the birds chirping and singing from their nests getting ready for their daily hunt. It could be sticks or prey on that day, if you are lucky enough to witness a kill you can better understand what types of food a specific bird is looking for.
Not only this, but you can also see the sticks they retrieve to build their nests, some birds like specific types of wood to build their nest just as we prefer asphalt shingles or steel plate roofs on our homes. Some birds live in cavities in trees, once you start peering into cavities you may find some birds who prefer to build their homes out of the storm for protection from harsh rains and winds.
Finally, birdwatching does not just help one learn and understand different qualities of the eco-region. It also helps a person understand that we are one in the same with wildlife in just trying to survive and live our lives to the fullest. The connection between nature and human life are very thick ropes that cannot fray due to natural science. Birdwatching helps you understand the environment, nature, and yourself.