From Zero to Birdwatcher | A Simple Family Hobby

3 min read
From Zero to Birdwatcher | A Simple Family Hobby

It started seven years ago with a goldfinch.

One flash of red and gold at the feeder and suddenly the whole house was at the window. We were up and down the stairs to get the best view, breakfast was forgotten, shoes left by the door. We were late for nursery that morning, but it didn’t matter. We’d just seen our first non-pigeon.

That was when it began. What began as a passing glance out of the window has become one of our favourite family rituals.

Everyday moments that connect us

My daughters take a look from their bedroom window most mornings. They call down the stairs to tell me if a bird they haven’t seen before has arrived. They’re proud when they can tell me what it is, and I love seeing how much more they notice. 

It’s taught us all to slow down. Sitting still and waiting has become part of the fun, and there’s something lovely about sharing those quiet moments together.

When we go for walks, we notice more too. Red kites circling overhead. Dunnocks rustling through the leaves below the hedges. Great tits calling from the very top of the trees. Everything feels more alive when you’re looking for it.

The year of the Belle dress

One of my favourite memories is the first time we joined the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. My younger daughter was four and decided it was the perfect occasion to wear her yellow Belle dress from Beauty and the Beast. She shrieked with excitement every time she saw a bird, which of course scared them all away. It didn’t matter. She ticked “robin” off in her notebook and declared it a success.

Birdwatching isn’t about getting it right. It’s about noticing, sharing, and enjoying the moment.

Simple ways to start

You don’t need to live in the countryside or have a big garden to start birdwatching. All you need is a bit of curiosity.

A few easy ways to begin:

Put up a feeder where you can see it from indoors. A good-quality seed mix will bring a mix of little birds quite quickly.

Keep a list or sketchbook. Children love recording what they spot, and it helps them remember names and colours.

Join the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch each January. It’s an easy way to feel part of something bigger.

Visit a nature reserve or park. Rye Meads in Hertfordshire and Rainham Marshes near London are both brilliant for families. There are hides, trails, and friendly volunteers who’ll help you spot what’s around.

You’ll soon find yourself saying “just five more minutes” before heading out the door. That’s how you know you’ve caught the bug.

What it gives back

Birdwatching has quietly changed how we spend time together. It’s a chance to stop, to notice what’s right in front of us, and to share it. There’s laughter when a pigeon tries to balance on the feeder and falls off, or when a parakeet performs his clever climbing tricks across the feeding pole. But there’s also calm. The kind that comes from paying attention to something simple and real.

It’s changed how we think about our garden too. We plan what to plant so it helps the birds, and we leave the seed heads for food in winter. The garden feels more alive, and we feel more connected to it.

Birdwatching has become a way to look after ourselves as much as the birds. It doesn’t need to be perfect or planned.

From your window to the wider world

Some of my best birdwatching has been from the back window, mugs of tea in hand, watching the feeder outside. But if you fancy exploring further, the UK has brilliant places to visit. Coastal reserves like Minsmere in Suffolk or Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk are amazing for spotting waders and wildfowl, while the London Wetland Centre shows how much wildlife thrives in the city.

Wherever you are, it’s about noticing what’s around you. That’s all it takes to start.

A simple way to begin

If you’d like to give it a go, our Starter Set has everything you need to get started, from the right food and feeder to a simple guide for identifying your visitors. It’s an easy way to begin a family ritual that grows with you through the seasons.

Because once you start noticing the birds, you’ll realise you already are a birdwatcher.

Clare Cahill

Thank you for reading!

Clare Cahill is an bird enthusiast with a passion for observing and learning. While she definitely doesn’t have a formal degree in ornithology, Clare has dedicated hours to reading birding books and exploring nature, constantly expanding her knowledge and deepening her love for wildlife.

For Clare, birdwatching brings a sense of calm and connection to the world, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. She believes that the more we connect with nature, the more we can do to protect and conserve it. Through her writing, Clare hopes to inspire others to take a moment to pause, look up, and appreciate the calm and connection that comes from letting a little wildness into our everyday lives.

About A Little Bird Co.

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  • What to feed the birds in summer

    Seasonal

    Birds have different dietary needs throughout the year, from nesting to moulting and surviving colder months. To support these changes, we’ve created seasonal blends – order a Seasonal Bird Food bag, and we’ll adjust the blend to match the season, making it easy to do something great for the birds.

  • Child holding bag of seasonal A Little Bird Co. bird food.

    Sustainable

    Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We don't farm, process, and transport cheap filler ingredients that birds simply kick to the floor. Instead, we focus on premium ingredients they love. Our packaging is compostable, and our bird feeders and nest boxes are tested for durability and longevity.

  • Songbird

    We design our food and select our range of feeders with little birds in mind. Every ingredient in our blends is chosen because small birds love it, simplifying your bird feeding routine. Our feeders provide safe access to food while helping to keep out larger, more dominant species. Look out for robins, blue tits, wrens, finches and more visiting your garden for our food.

  • Support

    With birds in your garden, you’re never alone - they’re the friends who always visit. Feeding them supports wildlife conservation while bringing joy and calm. Whether spotting a new species or simply watching their daily routines, just ten minutes a day strengthens your connection with nature and boosts your wellbeing.

When life feels busy, the birds keep it simple.

There’s something lovely about how feeding the birds becomes part of the rhythm of your day. A scoop of seed, a clean dish of water - and then a pause, just to watch who turns up. It doesn’t have to take long, but those moments can be surprisingly grounding. A little burst of mindfulness, fresh air, a chance to notice your garden as it changes throughout the seasons, and the cheerful flutter of wings - it’s good for the soul.

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