Wildlife Wednesday: For the Birds

[joewynne@mindly.social]

Wildlife Wednesday: For the Birds

Stress indicator testing and survey results showed that paying attention to birdsong in nature walks had same effect: lower stress and better mental health.

"Our results show that a walk in nature is beneficial in and of itself – but the sounds of natural birdsong can further boost these wellbeing benefits, especially if you make a concerted effort to pay attention it.

‍ You don’t even need to know a lot about birds to get these benefits..."

Paying attention to birdsong while walking in nature can boost wellbeing, my research shows

Listening to birdsong while walking in nature reduced both psychological and physiological markers of stress.

The Conversation (theconversation.com)

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#WildlifeWednesday #MentalHealth #Stress #Birdsong

[joewynne@mindly.social]

Wildlife Wednesday: For the Birds

🥼 Birdwatching Helps Science

Backyard birdwatchers help scientists uncover what hawks really like to eat.

This is just one example of how citizen scientists, posting in iNaturalist, help bird conservation and science.

Backyard birdwatchers help scientists uncover what hawks really like to eat

Anyone who keeps a bird feeder has likely had the same uneasy thought after seeing a sudden blur of wings in the yard: What was that hawk doing here?

(phys.org)

🧠 Birdwatching Helps Your Brain

A recent study showed that those who were experienced at bird identification had brain changes associated improved attention and perception, suggesting that birding may support brain health.

'Birdbrain' benefits: How being an expert birdwatcher may boost cognition

Being an expert birdwatcher may alter the structure and function of your brain. And these changes may enhance cognition even as you age, new research suggests.

NBC News (www.nbcnews.com)

#WildlifeWednesday #BirdConservation #CitizenScience #BirdWatching