Credit: Getty
Strong Women
Millennials are taking up birdwatching for better mental health – here’s why so many of us are becoming ‘twitchers’
By Meg Walters
9 months ago
5 min read
Studies have shown that more and more young Brits are turning to birdwatching. We speak to psychologist Casey Paul to find out more about the mental health benefits of twitching.
Last summer, my partner got into birdwatching. On a visit to Canada, my grandfather mentioned that he had been using the Merlin app to identify and track the birds he had spotted in his garden. Within a few days, my grandfather and my partner were competing: who could spot the most birds and, crucially, who would be the first to find the elusive black tern?
While I was bemused by my partner’s sudden interest in birdspotting, he is far from alone. In fact, a large number of young people have taken up the hobby in recent years. Back in 2016, a US Fish and Wildlife Service survey found that the average age of birdwatchers who travelled away from home for their hobby was 49, while 33% of ‘around-the-home’ birdwatchers were under 45. In a similar 2017 survey in the UK, 32% of men aged 16–24 reported that birdwatching was something they did in their spare time. (We don’t know the exact numbers for young women in the same age bracket.) Plus, during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns, many people discovered they could hear birdsong for the first time in big cities and began tracking birds in their gardens and local parks.
Since then, entire communities of young birdwatchers have been springing up around the country and are catering for groups less obviously associated with ‘twitching’. Flock Together, for example, was founded in 2020 as a way to bring together people of colour who are interested in birdwatching and nature.
Now, a new study, published in the Journal Of Environmental Psychology, found that birdwatching isn’t merely a wholesome and fun pastime for young people – it can also provide real mental health benefits too. Researchers sent university-aged people on 30-minute weekly birdwatching and nature walks. They found that walks that included birdwatching were “more effective at increasing wellbeing and reducing stress than going on a nature walk”.
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According to positive psychologist Casey Paul, there’s a reason why so many young people are turning to birdwatching now. “More and more young people are seeking ways to disconnect from the constant barrage of digital information and social media and ‘digital detoxes’ are becoming more common,” she tells us. “Birdwatching can be a peaceful, offline activity that allows them to engage with the natural world.”
That said, some young people, my partner among them, were initially drawn to birdwatching because it can now be done with the help of an app.
It felt like collecting Pokémon!
“I got into it via my sister, who showed me the Merlin app,” says Alex*, a 24-year-old birdwatching enthusiast. The pair got started by using the app’s bird-collecting feature, which almost gamifies the hobby. “It felt like collecting Pokémon!” she says.
Other recent converts have started twitching as a way of switching off. “I’m a staunch introvert and I need to spend my downtime alone,” says Sam*, who started bird watching at 40. “Being in the garden is simply the best. I started to make friends (via the use of mealworms) with a small robin.”
Credit: Getty
The psychological benefits of birdwatching
For young Brits, birdwatching offers respite from the digital world (even if you are using the Merlin app) and, in turn, it comes with a range of mental health benefits.
“Being in nature when birdwatching can enhance wellbeing by lowering stress levels and enhancing a feeling of connection,” says Paul. This sense of connection is exactly what drew Sam to the hobby: “The simple interaction [between me and the birds I see] fills my cup – a huge boost to my mental health. Being outside in general, I’ve never felt more connected to others and nature in general. We are all one.”
Gamifying the hobby can make it more fun
Then, of course, there’s the simple matter of actually getting outside, which, for some of us, is easier said than done.
“It’s helped my mental health tremendously,” says Alex. “I have a hard time getting out of the house, especially when I’m working from home. Birding motivates me to get out first thing in the morning. Plus there are the obvious benefits of spending time in nature and connecting with wildlife. It’s very grounding and can be quite meditative, too.”
As Paul notes, birdwatching mimics a mindful, meditative practice as it encourages us to focus on the present. “When you are birdwatching, it requires patience, focusing and attention to detail, which means being present in the moment. This, in turn, reduces stress and anxiety and improves mental clarity,” she says.
Credit: Aimee
Aimee, 38, was introduced to the hobby as a child by her uncle. As she began to struggle with her mental health in her 30s, she found herself returning to it. “Part of my mental health difficulties came from beating myself up for not being productive or ‘hustling’ daily,” she says. “A cultural pressure I think is put on a lot of us. Birdwatching allowed me to slow down – it brought back that feeling of freedom and being carefree that I felt as a child.”
How to start birdwatching for yourself
For many twenty- and thirty-somethings, apps like Merlin are a natural way into the hobby, and according to Paul, they are a healthy way to get started.
“Utilising birdwatching apps can help identify species, log sightings and learn about bird behaviours and habitats,” she notes. “It can make it more fun by gamifying the hobby.”
However, it can also be beneficial to give it a try without any digital interruptions. “Try taking a journal or going birdwatching with friends. Sharing observations and experiences can deepen connections and provide a sense of community,” she suggests. “Going in a group can also help with the safety element, especially when exploring new or remote areas.”
There are a number of groups and organisations that support birdwatching for young people in the UK. The Bird Trust for Ornithology offers a group session for people under 25. Flock Together also holds regular walks. You’ll find a list of other local youth birdwatching groups at the RSPB.
*Names have been changed.
Images: Getty
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