Going cheap

SOME months ago, a friend confided in me that he was suffering with depression. I told him he should perhaps turn to nature for its well-known therapeutic benefits for mental health, and recommended, as a good start, birding, an activity I have enjoyed for more than 60 years. He was enthusiastic about the idea so I suggested he accompany me on a visit to a local nature reserve while, in the meantime, having a read of my latest copy of Birdwatch.

A few days later I rang him to arrange our day out. He told me that, having read the magazine, he had concluded that birding was not for him as it was too expensive. It seems he had paid too much attention to the advertisements for binoculars, telescopes, tripods and outdoor clothing and so on, and had assumed that, in order to watch birds, he would have to outlay well over £1,000 for all the ‘seemingly’ necessary optical equipment and all-weather attire.

I quickly put him right and explained that birding can be done easily, and cheaply, with a field guide, a decent pair of binoculars and some warm, waterproof clothing for winter. I am pleased to report that my friend is now a confirmed birder, a subscriber to your magazine, and his depression is no longer such a problem. David Wareham, via email