Some practical tips
Don’t compare: We probably all compare ourselves to other people in some way, perhaps without even realising it. This is rarely a good thing. In my case, comparing myself to other birders is a great way to ruin my favourite hobby. Some wise words from fellow birding writer Hep Cairnswood – one half of the Considerate Birders – in this very magazine are my new guide to handling this:
“The final part of being a Considerate Birder is celebrating others for their experiences and sharing their joy. It can be difficult when your social media is filled with brilliant images of something you’ve never seen… Someone seeing a rare bird doesn’t mean that we never will. We intend to watch birds for many years to come, so we’re in no rush. Instead of feeling bitter at others for what they have seen, we are excited for them for experiencing something wonderful.”
So, taking The Considerate Birders’ advice, my new mantra is ‘Enjoy, don’t envy’. Birding is not about what I don't see; it's about enjoying and celebrating what I do see. It’s important to remember what matters, and I can lose sight of that when obsessing over a challenge or a lifer.
You don’t have to justify yourself: You might feel like you should, or ought to, go to see something, but there’s no obligation as a birder to go for every bird that comes along. You might want to or you might not. You might have time or you might not. You might feel like it or you might not. It doesn’t matter either way. Go where you want to go, when you want to, when you can. You don’t have to justify to other birders why you did or didn't do something, see something or go somewhere.
Keep listing if it makes you happy – and beware of targets: I do like listing. I list the birds I see each time I go birding, I have a life list, and I’ve enjoyed keeping a year list and taking part in #My200BirdYear for the past few years. I managed to get 200 for the first time in 2021 and got up to 209 in 2022, but didn’t manage it last year. I toyed with not keeping a year list for 2024, but felt I’d miss it, so I’m approaching it with a different perspective. Rather than fixating on numbers, challenges or targets, I intend to enjoy the birds I see and the places I visit, to get back to why I go birding in the first place and avoid putting needless pressure on myself. The flipside of targets and expectations is that they can become disappointments and regrets, and it’s a shame for those to become part of birding.
Notice how you’re feeling: While a good birding trip can be a great way to lift your mood, it can also be too demanding if you’re not feeling well or you’re low on energy, so don’t try to do too much. Try exploring your local area at a slower pace – you might be surprised what you find.