Gen Z leads birdwatching boom as more Britons reach for the binoculars | Birds
According to a multi-year study of more than 24,000 people, bird watching is the second fastest-growing hobby for Gen Z, after jewelry making.
According to Fifty5Blue research published by the RSPB, around 750,000 Gen Zers (aged 16 to 29) in Britain enjoy watching birds regularly; This is an increase of -1,088% since 2018.
Regular birdwatching has been embraced by all generations, with an overall increase of 47% in the last eight years. While this rate increased by 216% among Generation Y, there was a 66% increase among Generation X birders.
RSPB Youth Council member Jess Painter, 24, said she was noticing more young people were taking up birdwatching and the knowledge and passion was being shared in new ways on social media.
“I don’t think about anything else while watching the birds; “It’s a moment of peace and a way to reconnect with nature and myself,” he said. “When you take a moment to wonder, watch, listen and learn, you open yourself to infinite little moments of miracle.”
Molly Brown, 29, a wildlife consultant at the RSPB, said: “It’s great to see so many young people choosing to get into birding. This new research shows bird watching is no longer a niche or old-fashioned pastime and is attracting a younger, more diverse crowd.”
“It’s something everyone can do, no matter how much or little they know about birds. It will inspire you to get outside, explore beautiful green spaces, exercise and generally slow down, which everyone can benefit from.”
The research has been previously published International Dawn Chorus Day The first Sunday in May. In spring, it marks the peak of bird song in the early morning as birds breed and defend their territories. The RSPB is encouraging people to set their alarms, wake up earlier than usual and enjoy the song.
“Most of us are asleep when the dawn chorus comes, but this is a sound truly worth waking up for,” Brown said. “Whether you’re listening from your bedroom window, walking along a riverbank or woodland, or visiting a nature reserve, there’s no right way to experience it. The most important thing is that you be ready to hear it about 45 minutes before dawn, when the weather is calm and the light is low.”
Doctor and broadcaster Amir Khan, chairman of the RSPB, said: “Hearing bird songs, especially at their loudest and most beautiful at dawn, can produce more serotonin and make us feel good.
“For thousands of years, humans have evolved alongside nature, so it’s natural for us to want to connect with it. There’s even a scientific term for this theory: the biophilia hypothesis means that we actively seek out nature, and a perfect example of this is listening to birds sing; Hearing the song of a blackbird or a robin is one of life’s purest pleasures.”
A recent study found that even watching birds slow age-related cognitive decline.
