Early on a Wednesday morning, I am greeted by the sound of birdsong as I step out of my car at Idlewild Park. A calmness washes over me as my mind starts focusing in on the different sights and sounds around me. This feeling of mindfulness and connection to nature is what drew me to bird watching in the first place, and made me want to learn more. And so, it came as no surprise to me that birding increases our well-being in various ways, such as decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression, creating community, helping build a connection to nature, and increasing time spent outside.
My interest in bird watching led me to the Rocky Mountain Naturalists, an organization that runs and participates in numerous stewardship projects in the southeastern area of British Columbia. The Naturalists aim to “foster an awareness, appreciation, and understanding of our natural environment, that it may be wisely used and maintained for future generations”. Among the many activities they are involved in is Early Morning Birding, a weekly bird-watching outing in the Kimberley-Cranbrook area. I was invited to join the group this past June in Idlewild Park, where they were undertaking a yearly bird survey. Data has been collected in Idlewild Park by the group every year since 2016 and provided to Columbia Outdoor School. This year, 47 species were recorded over the course of approximately three hours.
The group, led by Daryl Calder, was extremely welcoming and eager to give tips to a new birder. Although my small pair of binoculars was not ideal for spotting birds, I didn’t have to worry, as top-quality binocs were handed to me every time a bird of note was spotted. I was taught how to properly aim the binoculars and given advice on how to listen for bird calls. With all this guidance, I was able to see and hear much more than I would have on my own. This is an advantage of birding as a group. Indeed, many of the members shared that a big reason why they attend these Early Morning Birding sessions is the wealth of knowledge held by attendees. Everyone is happy to share what they know and learn from others. Moreover, having a weekly birding outing makes them get out regularly and hone their skills. After spending a couple of hours with the Early Morning Birders, I had become familiar with a handful of species and had learned some interesting facts about them. Some notable sightings included juvenile crows and a dark-eyed junco being fed by their parents!
Another great way to immerse yourself into the world of birds and contribute to their well-being is to help with monitoring. Over the past 30 years, the Rocky Mountain Naturalists have been monitoring bluebird boxes in the Wycliffe area. These bird boxes provide habitat for cavity-dwelling birds, such as bluebirds and swallows, in areas where natural cavities are lacking. Both Western and Mountain bluebirds, as well as Tree swallows, can be found using the boxes. The Naturalists have over 30 volunteers monitoring approximately 28 lines of boxes — called trails — in the area. Data collected over a season is then sent to the British Columbia Bluebird Society.
I had the opportunity to join Marianne Nahm, president of the Naturalists, in monitoring her trail one evening. We visited sixteen bird boxes, in which we saw a whole variety of conditions. Marianne, an experienced school teacher, explained that the bluebird boxes provide many life lessons for children, who get to see the different aspects of the circle of life. This was the case for our group: although we oohed and aahed over recently hatched bluebird and swallow chicks, we were also faced with the realities of a harsh spring when we came upon dead birds in their nest. We took note of the conditions observed at each box – sometimes happy, sometimes sad. In addition to note-taking, Marianne also cleaned out empty boxes so that new nests could be made. These bird boxes are used for approximately five weeks: two weeks of incubation, and three weeks until the chicks can leave the nest.
My adventures in birding these past few weeks have given me a better understanding of our local ecosystems and of the birds that use them. Equipped with all the knowledge and tips that have been shared with me, I am excited to go out and learn even more!
Tips for new birders
- Grab a pair of binoculars and get out there!
Even if you can’t identify any birds yet, the most important thing is to get out and start looking for them. - Your phone is your friend
Apps such as Merlin and eBird are great for getting acquainted with new species. Merlin, an app run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, identifies birds through sound recordings. This is a great way to find out what birds are around so that you can then go and look for them. eBird is also great for tracking the birds you see, as well as for finding out what birds are commonly found in your area. - Connect with other birders
Find a group to join. They will be more than happy to share their bird knowledge with you. If weekly birding is not your thing, consider helping with a yearly event, like a Christmas Bird Count. - Learn a little bit at a time
When getting into bird watching, it is tempting to try to learn a whole list of new species all at once. Instead, take your time and get familiar with your local birds at a pace that’s comfortable for you. For instance, Daryl tries to learn three new bird calls a year. - Start in your backyard
Although bird watching is a great opportunity to get out into nature, there are many benefits attributed to observing birds around your house. Sit in your backyard or look out your window to see what birds frequent your neighbourhood.
Additional Resources
- Rocky Mountain Naturalists
- Christmas Bird Count
- Birding backpacks donated by the Rocky Mountain Naturalists, containing binoculars and other helpful resources, are available at the Cranbrook and Kimberley public libraries. The Kimberley Public Library also has children’s birding backpacks available in the springtime.
- BC Bluebird Society
A big thanks to the Rocky Mountain Naturalists, especially Daryl Calder and Marianne Nahm, for helping me in my quest to learn more about birds!