Try a New Green Activity: Go Bird Watching

Though to the uninitiated it can seem like a charmingly simple pastime for eccentric, aging men, bird watching is actually a thriving hobby practiced by nature lovers of all ages. The sport has maintained popularity, even as popular bird watching habitats decline due to growing suburbs and industrialized agriculture.

If you're entirely unfamiliar to the practice, but a little intrigued, check out On a Feather, an abridged history of bird watching in the US.

Or you can just jump right in—as an amateur birdwatcher, or 'birder,' all you'll really need is a pair of binoculars. Any pair will do—just get your hands on whatever you can find. You might also like to pick up a field guide—the Audubon Society's are great?so you can identify the birds you come across. Now head out to any bit of natural habitat you'd like (consult an Audubon Society chapter near you for suggestions) and see which birds you can spot.

Give bird watching a try—it's a great opportunity to get outdoors and relax. Plus, you'll find it can actually be thrilling when you manage to spot a rare species of bird. And it's one of the greenest hobbies you can take up—bird watching enthusiasts are so green that some even make sure the buildings they devote to it are eco-friendly. So grab those binoculars and enjoy one of the most underappreciated eco-friendly pastimes around.

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