It's called Ornitherapy ... and it works

Last month, I shared the mental health benefits of birdwatching, in particular around issues like stress, depression and anxiety. Digging deeper, the experience is an inward look at ourselves as a part of nature, in which peace and contentment may be led by the voices of birds. "These people have learned not from books, but in the fields, in the wood, on the riverbank. Their teachers have been the birds themselves, when they sang to them, the sun when it left a glow of crimson behind it at setting, the very trees and wild herbs," wrote playwright Anton Chekhov. In the book "Ornitherapy: For your Mind, Body and Soul," by Holly Merker, Rickard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, mental health benefits are further examined as a personal discovery and exploration through nature. The beautifully constructed book includes 58 explorations, which are designed to "provide guidance in observation" and "pose many unanswered questions." It also includes five meditations, that are constructed to "help you slow down and become mindful of the present moment," which the authors feel is a "vital step in connecting to the world within and around us." Included are many fantastic and inspirational quotes, such as Reginold Holmes who said, "The earth has music for those who listen." Finally, there is room for journaling to note observations and reflections. The book is co-authored with Richard Crossley, an internationally recognized photographer and author of the well-regarded "Crossley ID Guide," and his daughter Sophie Crossley. The guide is distinguished by the unique photography of birds, and that same approach is included in this book — offering some fun photos and perspectives. "Ornitherapy is intended for anyone who is interested in the voyage of discovery: discovery of nature, the world around you and, ultimately within yourself," Merker wrote. Merker, who will be speaking at Black River Audubon in September, is a professional birding guide, author and lecturer. She has a background in art therapy but today uses birds and nature as a nature-wellness known as "Ornitherapy." She received the American Birding Association Conservation and Education Award in 2022 for her work. The explorations include features on specific birds, such as hummingbirds, wrens and bluebirds, as well probes into bird attributes — including behavior, feathers and adaptations. With bluebirds, Merker reminds us, "In an era where we are constantly reminded of negative impacts we have on our environments, it's equally important to look back at our conservation accomplishments." She then asks, "Could you create or design a natural habitat that supports wildlife?" In the adaptions of the roseate spoonbills, she notes their unusual bills, "The body of the bird is uniquely adapted for the food it eats, where it lives and how it moves around the places it needs to go." Under the adaptations journaling section, Richard Crossley writes, "'Nothing in nature is by accident.' It is my favorite saying. Birds eat, drink, fly, breed and grow new feathers. These actions are all connected, and nothing is ever by accident. When you realize there is a purpose to everything they do, all you need is a fair amount of common sense to work out why things are the way they are, It's all logical and I LOVE that!" In our fast-paced world, it seems that we might benefit from revisiting our connection to nature. The birds of the world sing to us, offering us that connection and welcoming us home. Some accomplish this through meditation. Merker suggests, "Sit or stand outside. Choose somewhere that you will not be interrupted or asked to move. This could be your backyard, on a park bench or even somewhere in the city. Take a few moments to focus on your own physical and mental stillness. Don't fidget with your phone, hands or hair. Let your body relax in a comfortable position and bring your mind to focus on the present moment." Richard Sima, of the Washington Post, writes further about the therapeutic potential of birds. "Birds appear to be a specific source of these healing benefits. They are almost everywhere and provide a way to connect us to nature. And even if they are hidden in trees or in the underbrush, we can still revel in their songs. "By analyzing the data, the researchers found a significant positive association between seeing or hearing birds and improved mental well-being, even when accounting for other possible explanations such as education, occupation or the presence of greenery and water, which have themselves been associated with positive mental health." We live in a difficult and unnatural world. It is a world driven by stress and anxiety through competition and our pursuit of money and careers. We worry too much. Mental health issues have become less stigmatized thanks to those who have shared their challenges and experiences. Unfortunately, our first defense for mental health issues is often medication — adjusting our perspective of the world, rather than admitting our disconnection from it. Retreats into nature have long been a sort of respite from the demands of society. Certainly, it is not suggested that our problems can be solved by a short hiatus, but it can be part of our healing. A dedicated exploration and meditation through Ornitherapy may help. For me, nature makes me feel smaller, and with it less significant in the grand seem of things — which seems to reduce stress. Homo sapiens are the only species to create an unnatural world, dominated by politics and government, industry, religion, technology, financial systems and social media. No other species has to worry about making a mortgage payment, the price of cryptocurrency, their car breaking down, the fear of a mass shooter or how many likes they got on a Facebook post. Naturalist Henry David Thoreau, in his usual envious prose, wrote, "Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." This influence, led by the beauty of birds and their sweet songs, may offer us the peace and tranquility we so desperately seem to seek. Black River Audubon September Program Ornitherapy Author Holly Merker will be discussing her book at the Black River Audubon meeting on September 5, at 7 p.m. at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center. Research shows that connecting with nature actively reduces stress, depression, and anxiety, while helping build a stronger heart and immune system. Birds are gateways into deeper experiences with nature, magnifying these benefits. Through observation, we can learn not only about birds, but gain insight into our own lives while exploring our connection to the world around us. This fosters stewardship and bolsters conservation. Within the program, we'll delve into our connections to birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding, and learn about the latest research surrounding the impact of birds on human wellbeing.