BIRD away the SAD

I’m feeling great, doing all my self-care but at a certain point in December each year I get knocked down by seasonal depression. 

Before you think it, I already have a light therapy lamp, I try to eat right and get out of the house. This year I’m grateful we had an actual fall season so my “winter blues” hit me much later.

There is something different this year that I had high hopes for helping boost my spirits: birding. Two years ago, a local non-profit held a bird and nature walk at a relatively new nature preserve. I decided to check it out and I’m so glad I did. 

1. I connected with the organization and helped facilitate a butterfly club for kids each summer. 
2. I got introduced to my new hobby of birding (bird watching)

My bird journey

Connecting with birding happened organically for me. I started gardening which blossomed into butterfly raising. That opened my eyes to the world of native gardening and pollinator-friendly plants. 

As I would spend hours in the garden, I started noticing all the different birds that visited my backyard throughout the season. I became especially interested (ehem, obsessed) with the ruby-throated hummingbird. 

All summer long my garden is a nature-abundant, magical oasis right in the city full of butterflies, hummingbirds and other bird friends.

I have a fond memory from last Summer spontaneously taking a bird walk with two of my friends. We spent at least 15 minutes trying to chase a Baltimore Oriole and it felt amazing when we spotted that bright orange little guy. 

Are there even birds here in the winter?!

Now in the winter there is almost no nature or at least it feels that way.  But, there are birds! Two of my favorite birds, the blue jay and cardinal, live in the Chicago area year-round. I recently got a bird feeder that up until today was only a squirrel feeder.

Each day, we say hi to “Bob the Squirrel” who comes to eat from the feeder. Today, I saw what looked like Bob crouching, only to realize that it was an ACTUAL BIRD! A female cardinal finally discovered my feeder and that brought me joy on this cold, rainy day.

This past snowy Sunday I took a walk at Caldwell Woods. I diverged from the paved path and opted for the trail made by local deer. I saw the cutest little black-capped chickadee, spent some quality time with a family of blue jays and watched the deer roam. 

Mamma birding

I get why many birders are retired, because it takes a lot of time and patience and my toddler only likes to be in his stroller for so long. Still, this hobby has inspired me to get out more even if it’s just for half an hour. Oh, do I savor my alone time in nature whenever I get it. 

I can also see how birding is getting both of my boys more into nature. Just the other day, I sat with both of my kids and quizzed them about bird calls just for fun. It was a silly game and we looked ridiculous, but between laughs, I could also see how much they know about birds and nature.

There are a few other tips I’ve found for staying sane in the winter in case anyone else could benefit: 

• Take time to go to Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum or the Garfield Conservatory. Peggy Notebaert has a butterfly haven that is 85 degrees and I pretend that I’m on vacation. The Garfield Conservatory has plants year-round and an indoor pond with fish.  
• Bundle up and take a walk at West Ridge Nature Preserve. It’s a hidden gem and there is a nature play and storybook trail. I also love the different trails at Caldwell Woods. 
• Merlin is an app that tells you what birds are around based on pictures or sounds. If you are walking in the neighborhood or the forest, you can put it on and start to identify what birds are keeping you company. 
• Get a massage or take a super hot bath! It’s warm and there are usually nature sounds playing (fun fact: I heard that listening to bird song even recorded calms anxiety.)

Unfortunately, birding alone didn’t take away my seasonal depression, but I do think it helps. If nothing else, now all my family and friends don’t have to ask me what I want for my birthday – they just get me something bird-related and know I’ll love it.