Pulitzer-prize winning science writer Ed Yong shares how birdwatching transformed his life post-COVID. Discussion on the joy and conservation of birding, including tips for beginners and mental health benefits. Also, learn about efforts to save Hawaii's bird populations.
Birding offers a meditative experience merging focus and tranquility, fostering a deep connection with nature.
Engaging in birding promotes awareness, community-driven conservation efforts, and democratized access for all backgrounds.
Deep dives
The Transformative Power of Birding
Birding has been described as a transformative experience that can significantly expand one's world. Science writer Ed Yong highlights how birding has helped him cope with the challenges of long COVID and expresses the post-pandemic case for engaging in bird watching. By immersing oneself in nature and dedicating attention to observing birds, individuals can find a sense of calm, focus, and connection with the environment around them.
Birding as a Meditative Practice
Engaging in birding is likened to a meditative experience that combines moments of intense focus with tranquility. Through actively searching for and observing birds in various environments, such as industrial spaces and regional parks, birding encourages individuals to appreciate nature's presence in unexpected locations. The practice of birding fosters a heightened sense of awareness, allowing participants to escape distractions and immerse themselves in the natural world.
Promoting Mental Health and Community Engagement through Birding
Birding not only offers mental health benefits but also serves as a community-driven activity that contributes to bird conservation efforts. The growing interest in birding post-pandemic underscores its significance in cultivating a connection with the environment and promoting a sense of joy and peace. By democratizing access to birding through tools like the Merlin app and E-bird platform, individuals of all backgrounds can participate in bird watching and contribute to the scientific understanding and preservation of bird species.
Interest in birdwatching has been booming, and Ed Yong is one of the millions who have fallen hard. Yong is a Pulitzer-prize winning science writer previously of the Atlantic, where he was one of the first journalists to deeply investigate long COVID. He says birding has has a transformative impact on his life in the last year, and hopes the same might be true for COVID long haulers.
Plus: one unique effort to save a bird population in Hawaii.
Guests: Ed Yong, science writer and author of "An Immense World"; bird conservation researcher and journalist Anders Gyllenhaal.
Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Jay Cowit. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura and Jay Cowit. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893.