Winter, Birding, and the Art of Slowing Down
Red-breasted Nuthatch. Photo by Maxima Gomez-Palmer.
words by Jake Vinsel
As winter settles over Chicagoland, many of us naturally shift into a slower rhythm, seeking comfort in the quiet of the season. Across cultures, traditions reflect this instinct to rest and reflect, mirroring nature’s own response to winter. The Danish embrace “Hygge,” celebrating warmth and contentment. In Japan, families gather around a heated table in a tradition called “Kotatsu,” fostering both physical and emotional warmth. And in many Indigenous Arctic communities, winter is a time for storytelling and passing traditions to the next generation.
While some birders head into the cold unfazed, winter offers others a chance to embrace stillness. It’s an opportunity to slow down and connect with birds in ways that align with the season’s gentler pace.
At the Chicago Ornithological Society, we’re leaning into this philosophy with winter birding initiatives, including participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). This global event invites us to focus on the birds just outside our windows. By adopting green birding practices, we can stay connected to nature without ever leaving home.
What is Green Birding?
In 2025, COS is celebrating a year of green birding. It is a year to promote walking, cycling, rolling, scooting, taking public transit, and staying put to participate in birding that is slow and hyper-local, in an effort to deepen our knowledge and appreciation of our communities’ birds while being mindful of humankind’s role in the climate crisis.
Green birding doesn’t mean giving up adventure, so this winter, let’s celebrate the birdlife right where we are.
Cozy, Low-Impact Ways to Observe Birds
Winter is the perfect time to make birding a home-based ritual. Here are a few ways to embrace “green birding hygge” this season.
Create a Bird-Friendly Backyard:
Set up feeders with winter staples like black oil sunflower seeds, Nyjer/thistle seed, mealworms, and suet.
Provide fresh water with a heated birdbath, if possible.
Build a brush pile with logs and branches. These provide shelter for birds to roost or hide from predators.
Make Birding a Mindful Ritual:
Spend a few quiet minutes each morning watching birds from your window.
Settle into a cozy chair with a warm drink and let the sights and sounds of winter birdlife set the tone for the day.
Join COS for the Great Backyard Bird Count:
From February 14–17, join birders worldwide in documenting the birds in your yard or local green space. COS is hosting a GBBC event to bring the community together in celebration of local birds. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just getting started, this will be a fun way to learn more about the birds in your neighborhood while contributing to conservation research.
Learn and Reflect:
Use the slower winter months to dive into birding books, documentaries, or online courses. It’s a great time to expand your knowledge and prepare for the excitement of spring migration and summer breeders.
Making Birding Accessible:
Yard birding is perfect for those with mobility challenges. Watching from a window or patio allows everyone to enjoy the beauty of winter birds without the need for travel.
Winter encourages us to appreciate life’s simple pleasures—the hush of fresh snow, the sparkle of frost on tree branches, the cheerful chips of sparrow flocks braving the cold. By weaving green birding into our winter traditions, we can deepen our connection to the natural world and find joy in the season’s quieter moments without ever straying far from home.
Finding Excitement in Small Moments
We’d love for you to join us for the GBBC or share your own cozy birding experiences this winter. Let’s celebrate the beauty of birds and the restorative power of slowing down.