Birding has become an increasingly popular hobby.  It’s a hobby in which people (birders) observe birds in their natural habitats. It can be competitive or for personal entertainment. Just since 1995, the number of hobbyists who bird 1-2 days a week has increased by four million, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Kennard-Dale High School is home to a few birders – science teacher Ryan Rupp being one of them. Rupp has been birding since the pandemic in 2020, and has managed to find 212 different species of birds! Of these 212 species, he claims his favorite is the Gray Catbird. However, it is not the rarest bird Rupp has come across; that would be the Short-eared Owl, which is hard to find due to the fact that it’s nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. 

Rupp claims he likes to get out at least once a week for birding. Typically, Rupp goes birding alone, but occasionally will meet up with English teacher Ed Smith. While birding, Rupp also says he runs into another English teacher, Melissa Grove, and will chat with her about the birds. Rupp brings his binoculars with him everywhere so that he never misses a chance to see an incredible bird. He even took his binoculars on a 4,500 mile road trip, which helped him spot many interesting birds. 

“I want to understand the world that I live in,” said Rupp when asked why he participates in birding, loving that it involves focusing all of the senses and paying attention. Rupp also enjoys the outdoor aspect of it, specifically the sunshine and being in the woods – not to mention the unpredictability and the fact that you never know what you might find when birding. 

If you or someone you know is interested in birding, Rupp recommends using the app “Merlin.” He uses this to keep track of all the interesting birds he comes across. Birding can be a captivating hobby that allows you to better connect with nature. Whether you’re a birder or not, give birding a try; it could be your new favorite hobby.