Rancho La Puerta (Baja Mexico)
Why birdwatching? Watching birds can help us enjoy and appreciate the natural world around us. And it may offer some health benefits. A literature analysis published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found evidence that contact with the natural world -- including animals, plants, landscapes and wilderness -- may offer health benefits, including decreased blood pressure and stress reduction. Some of the most consistent findings link companion animals with enhanced physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Need more reasons, here are five more reasons to watch birds:
1. It's fun
2. It's a wonderful escape
3. It keeps you looking up 4.
It can be competetive (if you want it to be)
5. Birds are great works of are and great musicians

Here are Joe Sweeney's five steps to becoming a birdwatcher:
1. Buy binoculars (e.g. Nikon Action 7x35)
2. Buy a bird book (e.g. Sibley's field guides)
3. Go on a bird walk with the Audobon Society or another group 4. Buy a laminated chart of birds in your area 5. Buy tapes or CDs of bird calls and songs

More information and resources:

Movies:
Winged Migration
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
March of the Penguins
Pale Male

Books:
The Big Year by Mark Obmascik
Kingbird Highway by Kenn Kaufman
Living on the Wind by Scott Weidensaul

Visit http://www.americanbirding.org/ for many resources and supplies for birdwatching.