"They are the most curious creature of all. Hyper-focused. Single-minded. Intense. Devoted. Often single. They speak in reverent tones and hushed whispers and can walk with preternatural silence across a bed of leaves. They wield binoculars with the nonchalance of a sommelier sampling a Dom Perignon. They can crouch in shrubbery for endless hours. They speak in code and use hand signals. They have lists and notebooks and write with lead pencils. They dress with military precision: khaki pants, fitted belt, cedar-brown shirt, wide-brimmed hat,"
"Their social calendars are governed by migration patterns and their conversations are peppered with whispered phrases like Was that the trill of a reed warbler? They are bearers of universal mysteries. Holders of ancient wisdom. They are birdwatchers. Birding isn't merely a hobby. It's a lifestyle, like wearing Crocs or having a Goop subscription. Birders are the world's most unwavering optimists. They believe, against all odds, that somewhere out there is a bird they have never seen, just waiting to be discovered."
"And they will keep looking, one step (in a pair of sensible shoes) at a time. They are dealers in wonder and awe, masters of birds and ecosystems, and, despite the many stereotypes we can muster, one should never underestimate the power, joy and influence of the birdwatcher. Indeed, they may just be humanity's greatest source of inspiration and hope."
Birdwatchers are intensely focused, often solitary observers who move silently, use binoculars, notebooks, and hand signals, and dress in practical, field-ready clothing. Their lives are scheduled around migration and rare sightings, and conversations include hushed identification phrases. Birding combines solitary observation with a large, caring community that catalogs species and cherishes discovery. Birders are optimistic, believing new species await, and they foster wonder, ecological knowledge, and influence. Birdwatchers can be anyone—neighbors or coworkers—quietly observing feeders and windows and connecting people to the natural world through sustained attention and shared care.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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