“What is your favorite spot on campus?” 

Almost all of us have been asked that question before—perhaps as an icebreaker at a club meeting or while showing your family around during Parents’ Weekend. It’s a tough choice, but my answer would have to be Lake Andrews. 

Think about it: how many other colleges do you know of that have a lake on campus? It may be small, but Lake Andrews is surprisingly mighty in terms of biodiversity. You may be familiar with the Mallard ducks that frequent the lake or the American Crows that can be seen scrounging around campus trash cans. But have you ever seen a Golden-Crowned Kinglet? Or a Hooded Merganser? You can spot some truly spectacular birds at Lake Andrews with just a little time, patience and determination. 

If the mere sight of these lovely little creatures isn’t enough to convince you though, there are many other aspects of bird-watching that make it a perfect hobby for college students.

First of all, it is extremely accessible and versatile. No car on campus? No problem. Lake Andrews, a wonderful spot for birding, is right on your doorstep. Additionally, there is little to no equipment required. There are apps like Merlin Bird ID (run by the Cornell lab of Ornithology) that are free to download and can help you identify birds visually or by their song. But all you really need as a beginner is your eyes, your ears, and a willingness to learn. It is also a flexible activity: bird watching is a great way to meet new people, but it can be a nice opportunity to exhale and spend some time alone as well.  

Second, I have found that bird-watching meshes very well with a variety of other hobbies and interests. Photography, drawing, painting and journaling are great ways to record your bird sightings. Finding birds often involves hiking, but you can also bring the birds to you by keeping a native plant garden. If you enjoy being outside or creating art—and I know many of us at Bates do—you might enjoy bird watching as an extension or supplement to another hobby.

Third, birding has many health benefits, both mental and physical. The physical benefits are perhaps the more obvious of the two: while you could theoretically spot a handful of birds from your dorm window, birding most often involves venturing outside and getting active. It’s also a great incentive to stay active during all four seasons, as different species are visible during different times of the year. Scientists have recently confirmed that birding has significant mental health benefits as well. A study published by Scientific Reports in 2022 found that seeing or hearing birds improved people’s well-being for up to eight hours. Another study by Ecological Economics showed a correlation between happiness and the number of bird species that people encountered; being near 14 additional bird species, the study found, was as satisfying as earning an extra $150 per month.

In my own experience, birding can help you establish a satisfying and comforting routine. I take a lap around Lake Andrews to look for birds almost every morning. It’s meditative and helps me center my mind before class, and of course there’s nothing like the mixture of accomplishment and awe felt when spotting a really cool bird. 

Of course, humans are not the only ones who benefit from birding. Keeping track of what species you see, and where, can help us protect the birds as well. Programs such as eBird allow bird-watchers to track their sightings. The data is public and used for everything from conservation planning, to habitat management and protection, and even legal policy. Birds are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of climate change, and citizen science plays an important role in conservation efforts and studies. 

Suffice to say, if you’re at all interested, I encourage you to give bird watching a shot. Getting started is as easy as taking a look at a list of birds visible in Lewiston in the fall, picking one, and trying to find it. Read up on the bird’s behavioral patterns and preferred habitats. Familiarize yourself with its calls and vocalizations. And then get out there and give it a go!