Flying Wild with Great Parks: How Birding Sneaks Up On You (and Why You Should Let It)

One minute, you’re going about your life, barely noticing the birds outside your window. The next, you’re standing in Winton Woods, binoculars in hand, whispering, “Oh wow, look at that, a Carolina Wren.” It happens slowly, subtly – like a hobby that chooses you.

There’s a long-running joke that birding isn’t a hobby one actively decides to take up. Rather, it sneaks up on us, typically as we get older. Yesterday’s indifference makes way for today’s contemplation over a birdfeeder purchase, and those late nights out on the town take a backseat to an 8 a.m. birdwatchers meet-up. It’s the same sort of phenomenon that can explain a sudden fixation on antique malls or the satisfaction induced by a well-manicured lawn.

Here’s the thing, though — birding isn’t just a fun quirk of getting older. It’s a gratifying pastime, offering a connection to the natural world and a gateway to broader environmental awareness. Supported by decades of conservation work, birding has deep roots in Great Parks’ 95-year history, dating back to early initiatives to combat nationally declining bird populations.

Historically, habitat destruction and urban expansion posed threats to many species, leading to population declines. Recognizing these challenges, conservationists took action through habitat restoration projects and artificial nest box programs, helping to revive species like the American bluebird and the American kestrel in southwest Ohio. Warren Wells, one of Great Parks’ first naturalists, documented the increasing presence of species like the northern mockingbird throughout his 26-year career (1953-1979), further illustrating how environmental changes influence bird populations. More recently, nearly 600 acres of prairie and wetland habitat have been restored from farmland at Miami Whitewater Forest since the early 1990s, providing an abundant source of insects and small mammals for avian predators and drawing them back to the area.

Field of Dreams was spot on – if you build it, they will come. For Great Parks, that means if you restore it, they will return; and if you preserve it, they will stay. These efforts haven’t just benefited the birds themselves, though – they’ve also made birding a more accessible hobby, allowing new birders to experience the joy of discovery from almost anywhere in the Cincinnati region. Whether you’re spotting a warbler along the Gorge Trail at Sharon Woods during peak migration season this month or witnessing the return of nesting bald eagles at Winton Woods, the results of decades-long conservation work are right here, waiting to be observed.

That’s the beauty of birding – it doesn’t demand expertise, just curiosity. If it’s been sneaking up on you, let it! Embracing its pursuit might provide a new perspective of the world around you. Grab a cheap pair of binoculars, pick a spot and get to know our overhead neighbors. Try building confidence by listening for songs in your backyard, and when you’re feeling up to it, join a Great Parks interpreter for a guided birding program this spring. Before long, you’ll catch yourself whispering, “Oh wow, look at that, a Carolina Wren.”

Insights for this column were provided by Adam McCosham, senior park manager, and Amy Swigart, guest experiences manager with Great Parks. Look for Flying Wild monthly on CityBeat’s website.