I have to start a little personally. At the end of November, when I returned to work after a long trip, a beautifully published book was waiting for me on my desk. I look, the title looks like a game of birds that I knew well before, simply on the wings. Certainly, I knew of its existence a little earlier thanks to the kindness of one of my colleagues. I knew absolutely nothing about the author. But hey, that’s what happy coincidences are for. And it was such a coincidence or such a sign (nomen omen is the name of the publisher of the book) that in December we had the opportunity to meet Maciej Zdziarski in person. I have a beautiful dedication in the book to commemorate the meeting.

I don’t have a lot of time, but who has a lot? The consequence of this is that the books on my desk wait politely in a queue (rather in a large pile) to be read. This position was different. I picked it up, started reading it, and literally devoured it. It contains what I like the most, stories of birds and people. And it’s served together. In fact, the stories have just been created, as Maciej Zdziarski asks questions and listens to the answers. Somewhere along the way, gently, slightly to the side, he only adds his own comments and thoughts. I would say the whole thing is a piece of good avian sociology, though clearly written from the perspective of an engaged observer.

First surprise? Selection of interlocutors. Hardly anyone except the co-author of the book Therapeutic ornithology dr. I don’t know Sławomir Murawiec and my old friend Marcin Sidelnik. Although, for reasons of order, I will add that on the pages of the book, in the stories of ornithologists, Andrzej Kruszewicz, Bogdan Kotlarz, Tadeusz Stawarczyk, Michał Polakowski, Paweł Czechowski, i.e. ornithological feeders, appear. At first I was a little surprised, but later I understood the concept of the author, or even both. First, birding has spread much more widely in recent years than I previously thought. This is probably due – and appropriate explanations appear in the interviews – to the access to reading material, optical and photographic equipment, as well as to the wealth of the portfolio allowing for increasingly distant travels. Although the author has selected only 15 people for the interviews, they present a great variety, almost like the birds themselves. And here the second concept or idea of ​​the author revealed itself to me, there is no one who professionally takes care of birds among the interviewees, there is no ornithologist researcher. Knowing about birds has long ceased to be the domain of scientists, and their observations serve everyone, bring joy, respite and form a team of quite good therapists.

Among those who benefit from ornithological therapy, well, from the wider charms of birdwatching, there are: an employee of a transport company, doctors, a captain of a large shipping company, a photographer , a specialist in urban transport, a graphic designer, literary critic, economist in an international company, artist, businessman, less and less active in the company thanks to the ingestion of the thumbtack, physical education teacher, linguist, diplomat and even president of the Sejm – Joseph Zych. Mr. Marshal can probably boast of the longest passion for birds. It’s good that everyone has their favorite species, or even whole sets, not necessarily colorful, because a gray sparrow or a night owl can pleasantly surprise. There are those who race, with themselves and with other observers, how many species they have seen, those who want to capture birds in the most beautiful way on the camera matrix, but also those who are happy to see every individual they meet; with a whole set of plumage traits, voices, behaviors, relationships with humans.

Birdwatching is not just a passion, sometimes I become an obsession, and at some point it becomes a way of life. Birds have the power to attract and attract. The adventure with them can begin at any time of the year and of life. There are no better or worse times, you just have to find your moment.

Attention! Look for books in the natural shelves of bookstores or in online sales, but rather among guides and psychological books. It’s not a mistake. on the wingsfrom which they are provided with a subtitle About people, birds and joy of life fits very well here. And it works!

Maciej Zdziarski (2022) on the wings. Skyline sign, Krakow. ISBN: 978-83-240-7792-2

Author: teacher. Piotr Tryjanowski

director of the Institute of Zoology in Poznań; deals with the functioning of the agricultural landscape. He mainly studies birds, amphibians and mammals. Particularly interested in the interactions of wild and domesticated animals. Lovers of traditional breeding, sheep, cheeses and wines from Central Europe.

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