Why I would recommend bird-watching to every one

Is the Unexpected Wellness Trend Everyone’s Talking About

Once considered a quiet pastime for retirees in khaki vests, birdwatching—now often called birding—is having a major moment. From TikTok to Instagram, birding videos are racking up millions of views as younger generations flock (pun intended) to this mindful, nature-based hobby.

A Soaring Trend in Mental Wellness

Recent studies have shown that birdwatching can significantly reduce psychological distress and improve mental wellbeing. The simple act of observing birds, listening to their songs, and being present in nature has been linked to lower stress levels, increased happiness, and a greater sense of calm. In a world that’s always rushing, birding invites us to slow down and reconnect with the natural world—one chirp at a time.

Tech-Savvy Birders Are Changing the Game

Forget binoculars and notebooks—today’s birdwatchers are equipped with smartphones, high-definition cameras, and bird identification apps. With just a few taps, birders can record birdsong, photograph rare species, and even contribute to global conservation efforts by logging their sightings in citizen science apps like Merlin or eBird.

What was once a niche interest has become a global wellness movement, combining mindfulness, technology, and a deep love of nature.

Hanna's Experience - it's her self-care!

Since starting out my first check list on eBird over a year ago, I have a lifelist of 181 different birds I've identified, all within a 3 hour drive of Brisbane. 

Changes I've noticed in myself since becoming a birder are being more mindful, patient, and observant. In terms of my noticing skills, from scanning rain forest floors, to searching along the banks of a lake, and the peaks of camouflaging trees, I feel my attention and vision has become more attuned with nature. As a photographer, being quiet, still, and waiting for that perfect shot really is a challenge. 

The landscape is constantly changing, unlike a zoo or a farm, it suddenly dawned on me, no one bought the birds here! They fly themselves around,  sometimes over huge distances for migration and breeding. Places I visited last weekend or even a few hours prior, will be entirely new if a predator arrives or as the sun rises or sets. I love the adventure, the dopamine rush of identifying a new species for my list, and those special moments a wild creature comes in close to let me capture their beauty. 

Why Now?

Perhaps it’s the growing need for digital detoxes. Or maybe it’s the desire to find joy in the small things. Whatever the reason, birdwatching is helping people of all ages rediscover the beauty of the world right outside their windows.

So, whether you’re an early riser with a camera or just someone needing a break from the scroll—birdwatching might just be the peaceful hobby you didn’t know you needed.

White-cheeked Honey-eater, Bokarina Sunshine Coast. Photographed by Hanna Lanyon.