Many urban and suburban recreational opportunities are closed to public use, yet many rural and wilderness areas now are reopening to allow recreational visits.

Don’t think that humans have a monopoly on “social distancing”—because even birds are prudent in physical distancing, depending on the contingent hazards that they perceive nearby.^1,2 And birds, like humans, warn one another about the dangers they see, and how best to avoid them.^2-4

During this time of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, medical science is seeking a vaccine as well as drugs that will treat the symptoms. In the meantime, much has been reported on the ventilator, a lifesaving device that is used on the most serious cases.

Springtime, in many places—especially Texas—is a very active time for birds.¹ Nests are built. Mating and egg incubation leads to raising hatchlings. Before long, those hatchlings become fledglings. Bird life goes on—birds are fruitful, multiply, and fill their special niches on Earth.²

Although details differ according to where you are, it is often quieter these days due to stay-at-home restrictions on normally noisy human activities. Less loudness and more calmness—some of that can be good¹—yet ongoing economic shutdowns can cripple or crush curtailed livelihoods. So it’s calmer now, but not completely silent.