A peak experience is like bliss on steroids. Peak experiences most often come when we get out of our heads and let go of the idea that we’re just a tiny little mind in a huge & indifferent universe. And for thousands of years, humans have accomplished this through peak experiences brought on by nature. Bird watching is definitely a way that I can become entranced and forget all the normal thinking patterns. Our flying friends – like the magnificent owl on our left – have done this for humans for … well, probably as long as we’ve been around.
The easy way to watch birds, of course, is to lure them into your own back yard. Serious bird watchers plan their entire yards just for this purpose, but it’s not necessary to go that far. So what do we have to do to encourage the birds?
Obviously, the #1 consideration from a bird point of view is food. Plants that offer berries are especially welcome but cones and seeds are in high demand, too. In our yard, there are usually many pine cones and they offer bird food from fall until sometime in May.
There are birds that prefer other kinds of food – like wildflowers and tall grasses. Quail are well known to love this environment, but pheasants, grouse, and others do too. Just remember that if you’re offering this refuge, don’t mow until the end of the summer since there are almost certain to be eggs and baby birds directly in front of your mower!
The second advantage we can offer the birds is protection, which includes safe places to nest. If you have old trees you will be able to indulge in bird watching without much effort at all because they offer a natural ‘perch’ and many species prefer to nest in tree holes. Trees such as wild cherry and birch have insects beneath the tree bark which is a siren call to brilliantly covered and fascinating woodpeckers. Trees also offer some protection from inclement weather {I’ve often wondered what it must be like to sit on a branch that is swaying wildly in the wind. Talk about a peak experience, compliments of nature!}
Birds need a place to nest and trees and certain shrubs offer this protection. We have a prickly holly bush, for example, that seems to be a favorite with the birds and at time is a bird nursery. I assume it’s because cats, raccoons, squirrels and crows, among other predators, don’t want to poke their tender noses into such a place. It’s important to know that some birds nest on the ground while some prefer height. If we offer both choices, we will have more birds.
Another bird need is water. A bird bath or indented stone is the equivalent of a bird spa.
The last major consideration is sunshine and open space. Birds are constantly on the alert for predators and the need to see what’s coming, or else they will remain as hidden as possible. This means that your bird watching will be very limited, indeed.
Watching this incredible microcosm of the universe is indeed a drama that can induce peak experiences in those who have the awareness to watch for them.
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