Why do middle aged people become obsessed with birds?

[HauntedBungalow]

I have seen it many times. Onset appears to be between 40-45 and by 50 they are deep in the grip of it.

What is going on?

@MustBeNapTime That is brilliant, thank you. I have downloaded it and look forward to going out tomorrow and using it!

I find birds at best boring and at worst creepy and annoying. Keeps me young!

Embrace it!

I listened to an interesting podcast a while ago which touched on 'mindfulness' - that really what you need to do is pay attention, just notice things. It really does add so much. Especially with anything subject to change - the flora and fauna in the garden and on even the most mundane of walks.

Drinking tea by my kitchen window this sunny morning I can tell it's cold by the cock pheasant standing on the garden table, feathers fluffed up and neck scrunched in. Bar the tail he's almost spherical.

Downloaded the Merlin app and can’t wait to use it

Guilty as charged. I've got dd 19 into the Merlin app too and turned her into a bird geek. We've recorded kestrels, bullfinches, firecrest and goldcrest at our local park.

Don’t think I know anyone into birds over 50 and I k ow a lot of people over 50 - very bizarre post!

😂😂😂

I've loved birds my entire life. They are magical creatures, beautiful to look at, interesting to watch. Some bird species are peaceful little things and bring a sense of peace to a human in their company.
I don't think it's related to age particularly; people tend to love nature all their life rather than suddenly aquire an appreciation, so i'm thinking perhaps it's just a case of more free time to enjoy what they always appreciated anyway.

What an ignorant post

I've been into them since being a teenager

I know the answer to this... oh but wait, I've got to go, just spotted a song thrush 🤣

lol I’m 29 definitely not middle aged . My son is three and fascinated with birds his reactions to seeing them has turned me into a ‘bird watcher’ too

I feel seen OP. Barely noticed them throughout my 20s and 30s. Turned 40 and suddenly all I wanted was a bird table. I sort of blame lockdown - there seemed to be so many more in the garden and there was feck all else to do.

My DD is really into them too, she’s nearly 4. It was more so when she was very little actually (one of her first words was ‘burr’) but she still likes to see what she can spot in the garden , feed them and she loves her collection of RSPB singing teddies - she has the Robin, blue tit, goldfinch and chaffinch.

I have the Merlin app too, it’s great.

The Merlin app is so, so good.

Ooooh going to download

31 here and can feel myself slowly slipping into becoming bird obsessed 🕊️🦅🦜

I have put many many people onto this app

You will find yourself standing still in streets a lot!
the only time it couldn’t identify a bird was once in the town. A rook on a lamppost not sounding anything like a rook. The guess it made was coot! To be fair the rook was making the strangest noises!
and the tiny birds- they are so loud- wrens in particular.

I have been into bird watching since early 20’s and would love more time for it now. I have downloaded the Merlin App, thanks x

Perhaps they realize there is beauty all around if you look for it in nature and it’s time to smell the roses before you die!

This has made me lol as i used to roll my eyes when my parents talked about birds all the time but I’m now quite obsessed. RSPB now have these soft toy birds you press and they have their own bird song. Bought my DD 3 and want to collect them all!

My mother used to be obsessed with birds. It was a family joke. She even had a clock with bird songs on it. I found myself becoming similarly obsessed later in life and have the Merlin app. It’s brilliant.

I’ve always loved birds and plants. I have a teen who loves them too. She won her first trophy at the local horticultural show the other week. I couldn’t have been more proud.

Some of you might enjoy the board game Wingspan; it’s one of our favourite weekend activities!

Brilliant 😂😂

I had an amazing friend at university who was properly obsessed with birds, to the extent that if she found a dead one she would boil down the carcass to preserve and study the skeleton. She did this as a hobby - her degree was unconnected! She did go on to further study which was bird related though.

Sadly we lost touch over the years, which I’ve always regretted. Then the other day I saw that there’s a new exhibition at the Natural History Museum being advertised, all about birds (https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/birds-brilliant-bizarre.html) and her name is on there as curator! Fantastic. Good for her. I booked my ticket immediately.

Ooh, thanks for the tip! Booking my ticket today too. x