Birding, Reimagined: The Modern Birder, Defined (according to us!) - Part 2 of 2

In Part 1 of 'Birding, Reimagined', we explored how birdwatching is reclaimed, restyled, and redefined all around the world. No longer confined to outdated stereotypes, birding is more diverse, more expressive, and more culturally relevant than ever. This has been simmering for years!

It’s no longer just a quiet pastime on the fringe, though it can be, and that’s part of the beauty. Today, for millions around the world, birding is something more: a unique, intentional, and vital lifestyle choice, birdwatching redefined by a new wave of Modern Birders who move through the world with purpose.

As I write this latest Avian Journal entry, birdwatching continues to rear its head in mainstream culture. The new hit series The Residence  on Netflix features a main character defined by her love of birds, and Channel 10 is about to air Airborne: Nature in Flight, a four-part series celebrating animals who’ve mastered flight, birds, of course, taking centre stage.

But what does Modern Birder actually look like?

When the Lyfer team set out to build the brand, we embraced the term 'Modern Birder', it's not our word, but we recognised the opportunity to help define it. As one of the pioneering lifestyle brands for bird-watching, we saw that this identity wasn’t about fitting into a box. It was about values, mindset, and how you choose to move through the world.

So in Part Two of our Modern Birding series, we’re putting language to what we see in our community and ourselves. This isn’t about rigid definitions,  it’s about lived traits, and hey we had fun doing it! From design-led gear to mindful disconnection, this is Lyfer’s take on what it means to be a birder today.

As one of the pioneering lifestyle brands for bird-watching, we saw that this identity wasn’t about fitting into a box. It was about values, mindset, and how you choose to move through the world.

Birding with Purpose

At its core, modern birding is an act of tuning in, to the world around them, and to themselves. Modern Birders love to spot a new species but they walk with a bit more intention. They walk to feel grounded, while observing and reconnecting to a natural world.

Whether it's a five-minute wander through the local park or a weekend on the coast, modern birding becomes a repeated ritual. A form of active mindfulness that helps quiet the noise of modern life.

A Different Way of ‘Seeing’

The Modern Birder sees differently. Sure, they might chase a rare bird or log a new species, but it’s not always about the list. It’s about paying attention. To the sudden 'whoosh' of wings overhead. The sound that makes you pause. The small moments that pull them out of their heads and into the natural world. Whether it’s a bird they’ve never seen or one that’s always around, they take a second look. Because for the Modern Birder, it’s not about how much you know. It’s that you care enough to notice.

Because for the Modern Birder, it’s not about how much you know. It’s that you care enough to notice.

 

Personal Style, Worn Proudly

Khaki has its purpose, it’s practical (we wear it too!) and in some environments, it helps them blend in without disturbing the birds. But Modern Birders bring their own approach to the field.

For some, that means keeping it classic with a touch of style. For others, it’s about choosing design-led pieces that feel good to wear and reflect a lifestyle that goes beyond birding. It’s not just about what works, it’s about what feels right. Their gear reflects their values: comfort, quality, and care for the world around them.

Connected, on Your Terms

They're not anti-tech, they just use it with a bit more purpose. Modern Birders know how to blend old-school observation with new-school tools. They log sightings with apps, connect with global birding groups, snap a few photos, and share what they see.

And they also know when to put their phone away. When to tune in instead of scroll. When the moment deserves their full attention, when its just them and the birds! It’s a balance. And the Modern Birder has the awareness to find it.

Part of Everyday Life

Modern Birders don't switch on and off. It’s always there, woven into how they move through the world. Quite often, they see birds before people!

It might start with their morning walk or become the background soundtrack to their lunch break. It shows up in a glance out the window, on the edge of a conversation, or in the way they start noticing small details others miss.

Quite often, they see birds before people!

Sometimes, they’re driving, trying to stay focused, but still catch a flash of movement on a power line or fence. It’s part of their workday, their weekend, their holidays. They begin pointing out birds during hikes, in carparks, even at airports. Even to those around them who have absolutely no interest in birds (they'll see what Modern Birders see soon enough!)

And somehow, birds become part of their conversations with people who aren't into birds too. They find themselves talking about them a lot,  but also realise that almost everyone they know has a bird story. A childhood memory, a favourite call, a moment they’ve never forgotten.

Rooted in Awareness

Modern Birders understand that appreciation leads to protection and jokes aside, no that if they keep bringing attention to them, soon enough others will follow and respect a little more too.

They notice what’s happening around them, habitat loss, climate change, noise, pollution, and they really care. They also act. In the way they buy, vote, talk, and spend their time (when not with the birds). It's the considered choices that they make daily.

Sometimes Solo, Sometimes Social

Some days, it’s just them and the birds. Other times, it’s down at the pub with their friends, a weekend walk, or sightings that they’re sharing in a group chat.

Modern birding is no longer a solo pursuit. Many Modern Birders find connection in the experience now, through community, conversation, and shared curiosity.

Local groups like Adelaide Queer Birders and Sydney Bird Club, are building space for people to come together, offering inclusive, welcoming environments for anyone who wants to engage. Globally, collectives like the UK’s Flock Togetherare reshaping birding culture in powerful ways, making it more representative, creative, and accessible. The brilliant, Bonner Black is an American pop-star who blends her musical craft into bird-walks with her fans. It's genius!  

And in a world that often feels chaotic and disconnected, we have a whole new movement of Birders who are seeking a way to redefine their purpose and seek it out in nature.

Ok, so lets break it down.....

After months of deep dives, roundtable chats, field walks, and more bird-related tangents than we care to admit, we figured it was time to sum it up. Because the Modern Birder may not fit into a neat box—but they do share some standout traits:

• We are curious and aware.

• We live in all corners of the world from cities, coastlines, forests, suburbs, and small towns.

• We wear apparel that is design-led, eco-conscious and built to last, gear that feels good, works well, and reflects who they are.

• We walk, pause, notice, and care, not just about birds, but about the world birds remind them to care for.

• 👀 They don’t all look the same. They don’t all bird the same. But they’re connected by a shared way of seeing.

And maybe, just maybe, you're reading this now (Actually, we’re pretty sure you are.)