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We already love watching the wild birds that visit our gardens and green spaces, but if you’re ever looking for a way to appreciate the wildlife around you even more, some new research, published in Landscape and Urban Planning late last year, might just be what you need.

This research was conducted at the University of Tübingen in Germany and used the university’s botanical gardens for the experiment. In the experiment, 233 people walked through the gardens for 30 minutes and completed a questionnaire to assess their mental well-being. This was done both before and after their walk. The researchers also measured blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels to better understand how the walk affected their physical health. Because cortisol is an important stress hormone, any changes would be seen within a few minutes, making it ideal for this kind of experiment.

According to reports, the scientists from the University also placed loudspeakers in the trees that played the songs of rare bird species, such as the Golden Oriole, Tree pipit, Garden warbler and Mistle thrush. The reason for adding the extra bird songs was down to the results of a previous experiment in which 100 different bird songs were played to participants, who were asked to rate which ones they liked most.

Those taking part were randomly split into groups. Two of these groups went for a walk through the garden, with birdsong playing on loudspeakers. A further group was also asked to listen to the birdsong, while two more groups were asked to walk through the garden, listening only for natural bird songs. Another group was also asked to listen to natural bird songs, and a final group served as a control and went for a walk through the garden wearing noise-cancelling headphones.

The results showed that in all groups, including the control group, blood pressure and heart rate decreased, indicating that the walk helped reduce physiological stress. Cortisol levels also dropped by about 33% on average. The questionnaires revealed that self-reported mental well-being was higher after the walks. The groups that focused on the birdsong experienced even greater improvements in well-being. So, while a walk in nature clearly reduces stress, paying attention to birdsong enhances these benefits.

Interestingly, the groups that walked with loudspeakers playing birdsong did not show greater improvements in mental and physiological well-being than the other groups, a finding the researchers found surprising, given that previous studies have shown that birdsong enhances well-being. Bird species diversity was also shown to further improve restoration and relaxation. The researchers thought one possible reason for this was that participants recognised the playback sounds as fake, either consciously or unconsciously. Another explanation might be that there is a threshold, and having more bird species singing in an area does not further improve well-being. However, the results do indicate that a walk in nature is beneficial on its own, but the sounds of natural birdsong can further boost these wellbeing benefits, especially if you actively pay attention. It appears that you don’t even need to know much about birds to get these benefits, as the study showed a positive effect was seen in everyone, from casual birdwatchers to bird enthusiasts.

The researchers felt that the study’s results are a positive message for everyday life and that you don’t need to visit a bird-rich environment to be happy. It seems more important to focus on the birds that are already there, listen to them and enjoy them. The results could have implications for park design, as it shows that the sound of birdsong rather than the number of species living there is key to wellbeing.

Further proof, if it were needed, that having birds in close proximity (in your garden) is likely to be beneficial to our well-being and further justification, if needed, to feed and look after the birds in our gardens.