Watching birds - addictive?

[Bellfamily]

Why is watching birds so addictive? I have been sat trying to do some work, but my table is by a window to my garden and I just keep looking out at the birds. What is it that is so fascinating? Before I know it an hour has passed and I haven't done any work!

As posted on other threads, I am new to a garden and perhaps this fascination will pass - or does it get worse once you become aware of the wildlife in your garden. I mean, I have just got excited seeing a wagtail hop along my garden! I even got given some binoculars for Christmas (shhh, don't tell my friends!)

[~T~]

Originally Posted by Bellfamily

Why is watching birds so addictive? I have been sat trying to do some work, but my table is by a window to my garden and I just keep looking out at the birds. What is it that is so fascinating? Before I know it an hour has passed and I haven't done any work!

As posted on other threads, I am new to a garden and perhaps this fascination will pass - or does it get worse once you become aware of the wildlife in your garden. I mean, I have just got excited seeing a wagtail hop along my garden! I even got given some binoculars for Christmas (shhh, don't tell my friends!)

I've been interested in wildlife since I can remember (its IN our family apparently) but none of my friends are particularly interested. I've always fed the birds but I wouldn't say Im a twitcher though the end of last year start if this I've been doing it a bit more twicherish with trying to attract specific species and actually going out spotting .I'm not sure why it's so addictive but makes me happy and I've not had the best time in life of late so it's helped me stay positive and takes my mind off my problems

[natasha38]

When I got my binoculars I couldn't get anything done as I was constantly watching all the birds at the feeders.

We've recently moved so have a new garden with different birds so again I seem to be at the window again.

At the front of the house we have a river so I can watch the swans, moorhens, geese, etc - no need to leave the house!

I can't belive how much pleasure I get through this, we saw a woodcock a few weeks ago & I was so excited about it.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Bellfamily

Why is watching birds so addictive? I have been sat trying to do some work, but my table is by a window to my garden and I just keep looking out at the birds. What is it that is so fascinating? Before I know it an hour has passed and I haven't done any work!

As posted on other threads, I am new to a garden and perhaps this fascination will pass - or does it get worse once you become aware of the wildlife in your garden. I mean, I have just got excited seeing a wagtail hop along my garden! I even got given some binoculars for Christmas (shhh, don't tell my friends!)

I'm afraid it'll get worse. Before long you'll be digging ponds, building refuges & spending a small mortgage on bird seed to feed your addiction (also spending an inordinate amount of time on this forum with other 'addicts'

When queried (& when I say queried I mean, what the @@$£%, how much????) by my husband how could I spend £140 (of my money so I'll thank him to keep his nose out !) on bird feed straights (20kg bags of sunflower hearts, suet pellets, niger seed & peanuts) I pointed out that a) it's cheaper in the long run to buy bulk and that b) I don't disappear down the pub everynight or smoke so what he'll spend in a fortnight will give me many months of pleasure, it's harmless to my health & the birds, which may have struggled over the past harsh winter months, get something out of it as well.

Never mind anyone else, you just enjoy yourself.

[Magicboots]

I find them very relaxing and therapeutic, I get really engrossed! It's a nice feeling being close and interacting with nature and helps take our mind off well, the general stress of existence. They're all in their little worlds and each on a mission, free to fly anywhere they like. Terribly addictive and a great thing to have in your life!!

[Bellfamily]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

I'm afraid it'll get worse. Before long you'll be digging ponds, building refuges & spending a small mortgage on bird seed to feed your addiction (also spending an inordinate amount of time on this forum with other 'addicts'

OMG, it's already happening.....I have already started digging a pond and hide bird seed receipts from hubby!!! I tried the 'better in bulk' line but it was just easier to do the 'trickle effect'...."what, this bird seed..I've had that for ages"

[gentlefern]

I started off my addiction with some perfectly innocent watching of Sparrows out of my bedroom window when I was a kid. Yesterday I spent 3 hours creeping around in the undergrowth at my reserve (I can say mine as I've just been made the volunteer Warden). I'm now hooked on anything to do with nature, but it's such a harmless addiction and I'm contributing by submitting species records to the county recorders and other interested parties. I literally learn something new every day and my son enjoys coming along with me at when schools out.

This forum can be a tad addictive too

cheers
Karen

[rossy]

i got hooked when as a lad my late father showed me a blackbird sitting on eggs , as we walked through a park, now i find nothing more relaxing than having a stroll up onto the tops ( moors ) and parking my backside, watching, and listening, to nothing but the birds, in fact anywhere and everywhere im always on the lookout, in time your eyes become trained, as if something moves in the garden your on it, so to speak, its a fantastic hobby and one you will never become bored with, as when you go on your travels you dont know what you are going to come across, rossy.

[Deb London]

There must surely be a better word than addictive. That conjures up sordid images of drug dens, needles, and alleyways.

Fascination, pre-occupation, infatuation? A noble pursuit for people of sound mind and spirit.

[Bellfamily]

Definition from Wiki - Addiction can also be viewed as a continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences associated with it.....ok, I go with this being perhaps too negative a word but it sometimes feels like I loose chunks of my day to gazing out the window! The negative consequence is that I now never seem to get anything done.

It's so enjoyable being still and watching something else so busy at work - a guilty pleasure!