'The Art of Mindful Birdwatching: Reflections on Freedom & Being' by Claire Thompson
I'd like to do a quick review of this book for anyone interested in the correlation between the natural world and improvement of our individual mental health.
My copy of this book was a birthday gift to me, from someone who's not into birdwatching. However, it offered a different perspective on the pursuit, making me think a little deeper about the subconscious reason that I go out with a pair of binoculars. Why, as humans, do we feel a connection to the animals around us in some way? This book offers an interesting, spiritual glance at the hobby that I hadn't considered before.
It's an accessible read, meaning that it's not too 'hippy'. Clear descriptions of easy activities to try are presented throughout the chapters. If you do get yourself a copy of this book, approach it with an open mind and try the activities suggested within each chapter. I can assure you it'll give you a deeper insight into the enjoyment that we gain from our natural experiences.
★★★★☆
[Further reading] - Claire Thompson has also done a similar book about Mindfulness within the natural world that doesn't focus on the hobby of birdwatching, but it nonetheless similarly interesting.
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box