144 Becoming a Birdwatcher - with Mia
About this episode
Birdwatching can quietly change how you see yourself. Mia Grundy shares how everyday birding and photography has helped her through tough times and shaped her identity.
Birds featured: Rainbow Bee-eater, Sacred Kingfisher
Episode illustration: Rainbow Bee-eater
Resources
Rainbow Bee-eater recording is by Marc Anderson - licenced from wildambience.com
Meet the guest
Mia Grundy is a nature photographer and keen birder based in Melbourne. With a background in Wildlife and Conservation Biology, she developed a deep appreciation for birds while studying and spending time outdoors. What began as a curiosity quickly grew into a passion for observing and photographing birds across Australia and overseas. Mia enjoys documenting species through photography and citizen science platforms such as eBird and iNaturalist. She is passionate about encouraging others to connect with nature and believes birding is something anyone can enjoy, regardless of their background or level of expertise.
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Kirsty Costa [00:00:00]
This episode was recorded in Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne is known as Naarm by the Wurundjeri people, whose Country we have the privilege to be on. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and to any First Nations person from around the world listening to this podcast. Welcome to Weekend Birder. I’m Kirsty Costa, and here, together, we notice birds. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about social media - its challenges and its benefits. It’s because of social media that I get to introduce you to Mia Grundy. Mia and I have been Instagram buddies for years now, so it’s really nice to have her on the show to talk about the life of an everyday birdwatcher. Mia has always loved being outside, and like many of us, birds came into her life gradually.Mia Grundy [00:01:02]
I’ve always been a lover of nature and being outdoors. I did my wildlife and conservation biology degree a couple of years ago, and over time I found myself drawn to birds in particular. I used to go hiking and walking just to get some fresh air, but birds gave me a deeper meaning to be outside. In 2021, I bought my first field guide and it became a passion - ticking off checklists and learning species. At the time, I didn’t even know the difference between a Rainbow Lorikeet and an Eastern Rosella, so I had a lot to learn. Over time, I’ve just fallen in love with all different species. Even when I travel interstate or overseas now, I’m thinking about what birds I might find. When I go walking with friends, I give them a heads up - it might not be a 30-minute walk, it might be two hours, because I might get fixated on one little bird that looks brown but is actually really exciting.Kirsty Costa [00:02:17]
Mia says that the way she birdwatches has changed over time.Mia Grundy [00:02:23]
I think I started off very intentionally - bringing checklists, using eBird, writing lists of species I wanted to see. I still do that sometimes, but now I’ll just be out on a lunchtime walk and notice birds without even thinking about it. It’s instinctive. I think we live parallel with wildlife - they’re not separate to us. It’s a really beautiful way to be present.Kirsty Costa [00:03:06]
And somewhere along the way, birdwatching has become part of how Mia sees herself.Mia Grundy [00:03:11]
If people ask if I’m a bird person, I’d definitely say yes. It’s a big part of my identity now.Kirsty Costa [00:03:24]
Time and time again on this podcast, guests remind us how birdwatching can steady us during uncertain times.Mia Grundy [00:03:35]
During lockdowns, birdwatching gave structure to my day - something outside of Zoom and Google meetings. But last year I also lost my dad unexpectedly. I’m usually a very busy person, but I just couldn’t do much. Days would go by and nothing felt like it was changing. Photography became the staple of my days. Every few days I’d go out, open eBird or iNaturalist, and record what I saw. That small purpose helped. Over time, every few days became every day. It became a morning ritual - almost like meditation.Mia Grundy [00:05:01]
Grief is physical as well as mental. Some days I had to drag myself out of bed. Sometimes I’d go out in my pyjamas. But even hearing something like a Crimson Rosella - something really common - I’d stop and think, that’s beautiful. For a moment, the weight I was carrying lifted. When I got home, I felt like I’d succeeded at something, even if I did nothing else that day.Kirsty Costa [00:06:24]
If you’re someone who has recently experienced loss, I just want to say my heart is with you. I hope you’re able to slowly get outside and notice birds, or trees, in whatever way feels right for you. Big love to you. Mia has mentioned how important her camera has been in helping her connect with birds. Photography has become part of her practice and a way of understanding them more deeply.Mia Grundy [00:06:58]
Photography helped me slow down. Instead of just ticking species off a list, I started focusing on one bird - watching behaviour, how they feed, where they sit, how they interact. You learn to anticipate moments. You learn how different birds move and fly. It takes patience. Birds don’t take directions. Sometimes you don’t get the shot, but sometimes you go back the next week and you do.Kirsty Costa [00:08:46]
Without planning it, each season of Weekend Birder seems to have a bird that keeps popping up - and this season, it’s kingfishers. But for Mia, one bird that really stayed with her was the Rainbow Bee-eater.Mia Grundy [00:09:27]
I’d always been drawn to them because of their colours, but I hadn’t actually seen one. I’d heard them in Central Australia, but never seen them. Then in January, my partner, my grandpa and I were in the Flinders Ranges. We stopped in a small town called Hawker, and I saw one. Then suddenly there were 20 or 30 of them. I was just in my element - walking around in 40-degree heat, looking at the sky and fences, taking photos. Hearing them in real life was incredible - it’s not loud, but it’s almost orchestral.Kirsty Costa [00:11:18]
That recording was gifted to us by Marc Anderson. If you’re curious about Rainbow Bee-eaters, head back to Episode 45. One fun fact is that they dig tunnels up to 90 centimetres into the ground to nest. Birds digging tunnels still blows my mind.Mia Grundy [00:11:59]
I don’t think there are any rules to birdwatching. It’s not about having perfect checklists. It’s about being immersed in nature. You don’t have to be an expert. People learn through observation and conversation. Whether you can identify three species or 300, it doesn’t matter. Nature doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t discriminate. It’s just about slowing down and paying attention.Kirsty Costa [00:13:18]
I totally agree. That’s why I invite everyday birdwatchers onto this podcast. You don’t have to be a scientist or a celebrity to share your love of birds. Everyone is welcome here. Mia also completely undersold her photography - it’s beautiful. You can find her on Instagram and via the link in the show notes. Before we finish, thanks to everyone who replied to the latest Monthly Letter. If you’re a fan of the show, I think you’ll really enjoy it. This week, a subscriber will win a Weekend Birder T-shirt, designed and printed here in Australia. When you buy one, you help keep the show ad-free. Thanks so much for your support. In the next episode, we’re heading into the forest to meet Australia’s woodland birds. Speak to you again soon.
