Bird Watching is Not Just for the Retired 

Apr 14, 2026

Bird watching is not something I ever thought I would write about, but here we are. You might be wondering what bird watching has to do with mental wellbeing. At first, I wondered the same thing. But the more I reflected on it, and the more birds I watched, the clearer the connection became. 

I have never considered myself a bird watcher. I never really paid much attention to birds beyond the familiar ones: the farm birds, crows and ravens, or the hummingbirds that visit my home each summer. That all changed recently when I was visiting a friend. We were sitting together, quietly watching the variety of birds coming and going from the feeder in the yard. 

I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until I glanced at the clock and noticed that an entire hour had gone by. 

My friend is an avid bird watcher and knows all the scientific names, when different birds arrive in the Cariboo, and even their mating habits. What I realized in that moment was that you don’t need to know everything about birds to enjoy watching them. You can simply sit, observe, and appreciate them for what they are, doing bird things. 

For that hour, my mind wasn’t thinking about bills, work, life, or the long list of things I still needed to do that day. My body was relaxed, my thoughts were quiet, and in that moment, everything felt okay. 

Who would have thought that watching birds fly in and out of a feeder, simply doing what comes naturally to them, could bring so much peace and joy to someone observing from the outside? Clearly, many people before me have found calm and comfort in bird watching, I’m just a little late to the game. 

Of course, not everyone has access to a bird feeder, wants one, or can have one. That got me thinking about places in the Cariboo where anyone can go to experience the same sense of calm. The first place that came to mind was our local marsh. 

The marsh offers benches where you can sit and rest, and there are signs with pictures of the birds and information about them if you’d like to learn more, though learning isn’t required. There is something incredibly calming about simply sitting there and watching the colourful birds, big and small. I found them absolutely captivating. 

We get so caught up in our busy lives. There always seems to be something to stress about or worry over. That constant stress can build up and lead to sleepless nights, anxiety, and even physical health issues. Taking time to let your mind rest, to step away from the noise of daily life, even for a short while, can help reset your nervous system and support your mental wellbeing. 

And the best part? It’s free, which is refreshing these days. Sometimes supporting our mental wellbeing doesn’t require big changes or complicated solutions. Simple moments, like sitting quietly and watching birds, can give our minds a break from stress and constant thinking. Taking even a short pause to be present can help calm the nervous system, improve focus, and remind us that peace can often be found in the simplest places. 

Just be warned- once you start watching, you may lose track of time, and before you know it, you might find that you’ve become a bird watcher too. 

Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it. 

• Contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support at 250-395-4883. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 am – 4 pm. 

• Call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 1-888-353-2273. 

Written by: Kristin Buxton