The generation that grew up with TikTok, push notifications, and constant input is discovering birdwatching.
Birdwatching initially sounds like a group of retirees, utility vests, and binoculars that cost more than a gaming PC. However, this image is clearly breaking down: More and more young people from Gen Z voluntarily head outside in the mornings, listen carefully, and search for species they hardly noticed before.
This whole thing is called birding.
Why has birdwatching suddenly become cool among young people? Birding has long been considered a hobby for older, well-equipped men. As Frankfurter Rundschau reports, young bird fans are now also appearing in large numbers on TikTok and Instagram, university groups (Instagram) organize joint outings, and even competitions are shaped by teams in their 20s.
The Atlantic(paywall) describes a group of young men who, during the “World Series of Birding,” an annual birdwatching competition, drive through New Jersey for 24 hours to identify as many species by their appearance or call.
How big is the trend? It appears to be a global phenomenon. The Atlantic explains that the U.S. conservation organization National Audubon Society had only 10 university groups in 2019 but now has 117. According to a British survey, nearly 750,000 teenagers and young adults in the UK regularly observe birds – more than ten times as many as in 2018.
Why does Gen Z even put their smartphones away for this?
What makes birding so appealing? When birdwatching, one focuses on sounds, movements, and small details, rather than constantly reacting to new notifications. The smartphone stays silent or is used with apps like Merlin as a kind of Shazam for bird calls.
This makes birding a mix of a digital Pokédex and a conscious timeout: Technology helps with the entry, but the actual search inevitably takes place outside.
Can birdwatching really help with relaxation? A study from the U.S. with 112 participants compared five birding sessions of at least 30 minutes each with ordinary walks and a control group.
The birdwatchers reported higher well-being and less psychological stress afterward; the results were sometimes better than those of ordinary nature walks. (via FR) Already about four months ago, we explained based on research by psychology professor Jaime Kurtz how significant the importance of such hobbies can be.
Birding shows: A good hobby requires neither a screen nor constant action and can also be cool, even if it is mostly practiced by retirees. MeinMMO editor Caro also learned while painting miniatures how much patience, frustration, and small progress are part of a new hobby.
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