Feeding the birds can help the nation’s ‘armchair naturalists’ beat the coronavirus isolation

Feeding the birds can help the nation’s ‘armchair naturalists’ beat the coronavirus isolation and stay connected through nature claims Haith’s bird food and leading veterinary expert.

Haith’s bird food has launched a Helpline (0800 298 7054) and its team is preparing to help Britain’s birders stay connected with the outside world through observing nature in their garden.

Posted: 18 March 2020

Haith’s, Britain’s bird foodspecialists since 1937, and one of the world’s leading veterinary experts, Professor John E Cooper, are encouraging the nation to feed the birds and stay connected through nature to get through the coronavirus outbreak and impending isolation sessions, and to remain healthy.

Never have we needed nature more,’ says Simon King, Haith’s Director and Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (FLS). ‘Long periods of isolation will test everyone’s willpower but turning our attention to the natural world’s comings and goings this spring will help guide us through unchartered territory.’

To assist the nation’s amateur naturalists beat isolation, Haith’s has launched a Helpline (0800 298 7054) and its team is preparing to help Britain’s birders stay connected with the outside world through observing nature in their garden.

‘Haith’s Helpline is a super initiative,’ says veterinary Professor and life-long naturalist John Cooper. ‘Well done, Haith’s.’

‘Being isolated, with or without coronavirus, can be a wonderful opportunity to observe Nature through the window,’ says Cooper. ‘A good “armchair naturalist” will spot the first Spring butterflies and bumblebees and possibly hear the first chiff-chaff, long before those who may (or may not be) busy rushing round by car or bus to appointments and meetings.’

‘Putting out Haith’s bird food will, of course, increase the chances of seeing interesting birds,’ says Simon King. ‘We believe there’s plenty of evidence to confirm that feeling connected with nature is good for our mental health and it’s, therefore, our duty to help people feel linked to the outside world by offering a friendly voice to chat about garden birds’ antics this spring.’

‘Be sure to make a list of those birds you can identify!’ advises John Cooper ‘Plants are also worthy of attention at this time of year – not just those intentionally planted in the garden, such as daffodils and snowdrops, but also the many attractive wild plants (so often unkindly dismissed as “weeds”) such as the lesser celandines and white dead-nettles that are in flower at present. This will be a challenging period for all of us, but I wish you all good luck you house-bound, but hopefully enthusiastic, “armchair naturalists”!

Visit www.haiths.com to find out more about Haith’s bird food and the Helpline.