Birdwatching
So what can birdwatching offer you at u3a? Watching birds but also listening to birdsong is therapeutic too. But don’t take my word for it:
“Birding requires us to shift our attention and awareness, living fully in the present moment i.e. the essence of mindfulness” (University of Surrey)
“Contact with nature benefits our mood, our psychological well-being, our mental health, and our cognitive functioning” (University of Washington)
Birdwatching does require you to exercise the mental faculties involved in observation and identification that help to keep the mind sharp, but this contact with the natural world is more than that. Spending time in nature is good for your mind; it is how we are wired. Oxytocin is the hormone that is released due to feeling that you belong, and are connected to others (just as in u3a!). It is a great health benefit, helping you to relax, and boosting your immune system. Being closer to nature was prescribed by GPs in Edinburgh, and 87% of patients continued after the trial.
So what can we prescribe for you?
Well we go out to the birds. We have 7 Field Trips this term including nature reserves. The key criteria are travel distance, facilities, good even paths and covered bird hides. We have selected two ‘home’ reserves, both within 25 minutes of u3a at Sandwell Valley (RSPB) and Upton Warren. We will undertake regular visits as migration adds more seasonal variety of birds to see and hear. We have accumulated a ‘pool’ of spare binoculars and bird guides for newbies or those who have forgotten them!
We similarly choose bird centres as well to get close to birds and understand and appreciate them more, such as Slimbridge Wetland Centre and the excellent Cotswold Falconry Centre. The latter allows us to get up close to owls and other birds of prey, and to listen to informative talks during their flying displays. Whilst we did see a wild Peregrine Falcon at Upton it is difficult to see detail when it is flying in at 70mph scaring all the birds up!
All members are provided with a detailed Birding Plan per visit with maps and directions. We do have a schedule for everyone to use as a framework. We are an informal group, so people can drop in and/or out of a visit to suit them and any time constraints they might face.
We introduce you to our favourite free App as well: Merlin Bird ID. This is an invaluable tool on your phone at home or out and about. It helps you identify birds from photos, or simply start it recording and it will indicate with a high degree of accuracy what birds are calling in your garden or quiet vicinity. This sometimes doesn’t pick up well in the bird hide as u3a members are too busy chatting and enjoying themselves!
Bird of the term? Well we have genuinely been spoilt for choice as so far we have already seen 70 unique species of wild bird! We now expect to see 30 per trip and this has included some rare local visitors.
Some real highlights are Avocet, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Common & Green Sandpipers. Well all birds in fact you would expect to see in coastal estuaries to be sure, but then Upton Warren has unique inland salt marsh pools or “flashes”. This is due to mining and subsequent subsidence providing a special habitat on our doorstep!
We have seen a Common Scoter; despite the name a rare sea duck blown inland and re-growing feathers to fly on. The pick though can only be one bird: The Grey Phalarope. (see picture above)
This Arctic-breeding wader sometimes comes to the coasts of the UK after storms, but the previous West Midlands visitor was recorded 35 years ago! What joy and all round big smiles one little characterful bird brought to us as a group! We did fall in love with the little fellow over the hour spent in his company, which was an unforgettable experience. It was extraordinary that he repeatedly came right up to us on the bank, constantly bobbing and feeding within touching distance. In his first winter en route to Africa he will never have seen a human before. He also preened a few yards away and we could not have got a better look or insight into his behaviour. He seemed perfectly happy so perhaps he is adopting a Black Country accent on his birdsong!
I will finish not on what I think of u3a birding but what you have told me:
“The group is buzzing”
“I have learned so much already”
“Great to see such a variety of birds”
“Our meetings are so successful as shown in the enthusiasm of the members! As a beginner it’s really helpful, as is the exchange of information in the hides when the more experienced readily share information. I had no idea I could see such a variety of birds virtually on my doorstep, it’s been a great introduction, thank you!”
Mark K
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